The story of the reconstruction of the central square in Sopot is proof that sooner or later Polish cities will move away from concrete. Because greenery is increasingly loudly demanded by residents.
The Friends of Sopot Square gained its current appearance in 2011, as a result of a major reconstruction. A new granite pavement and elements of small architecture appeared then. The snag was that the square was then deprived of green areas; enclaves that would protect from the sun and heat. The result? The square's potential has not been realized and now serves mainly a transportation function.
Friends of Sopot square
photo: Ewa Karendys
poorly vibrant urban life
This has not escaped the residents, who from the beginning did not spare the investment criticism. What's more, the lack of greenery bothered Sopot residents so much that they submitted a project to green the square in 2017 as part of the civic budget.
The Friends of Sopot Square reflects officials' expectations of the city square at the time. It was supposed to be a vast, level, representative space, says Lukasz Pancewicz, an architect, urban planner and university teacher at the Faculty of Architecture at the Gdansk University of Technology.
Lukasz Pancewicz regrets that during the great reconstruction of the center of Sopot, the needs of the users of public spaces were not thought of, decision-makers then focused on commercial and representative functions.
The central square itself was simply supposed to look nice. Unfortunately, it became a thoroughfare, a stone pan, and to a lesser extent a place where urban life lazily goes on," says the urban planner.
The 
new granite pavement and elements of small architecture appeared on the square during reconstruction
photo: Ewa Karendys
The investment was the culmination of the construction of the Haffner Center, which lasted until 2009 and changed the face of downtown Sopot for good. At the time, a retail and service development, a hotel, a parking and office building and the Spa House, reminiscent in appearance of the pre-war Sopot Cure House, were built. And although the architecture evoked mixed feelings, an undoubted advantage of the investment was the construction of a tunnel for cars along Grunwaldzka and Powstańców Warszawy streets. Cars went underground, and pedestrians gained a collision-free passage between Monciak with the main city square and the pier.
create an intimate space
New plantings and arrangement of green areas, which will expand by 500 square meters - such changes on the initiative of Sopot residents are to take place in the Friends of Sopot Square. There will be trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, small architecture, lighting, seventeen more plane trees will be planted, currently there are thirty-eight. The authors of the project are two studios: Gzowski Architekci and Restudio Jacaszek Architekci. The author team are: Maciej Jacaszek, Mateusz Gzowski, Radosław Czerniejewski, Marta Marszałek, Piotr Woszczalski, Tomasz Kisiel, Agnieszka Nowicka.
Friends of Sopot Square, left: existing state; right: designed state
© Gzowski Architekci, Restudio Jacaszek Architekci
The diagnosis was made by residents, indicating that they are bothered by the lack of greenery in the square of the Friends of Sopot, emphasizes Maciej Jacaszek, a designer from Restudio Jacaszek Architekci studio. - We additionally noticed that the square does not have an intimate character, but serves as a communication space, connecting Boh. Monte Cassino Street with Kuracyjny Square. We will try to create these intimate spaces with the help of greenery. We will give them a framework, a shape. The square itself is defined by the Alga building, the Haffner Center and the facades of the Kuracyjny House, but the urban interior gives the impression of being undefined. We believe that if we re-arrange the space using trees, shrubs, or climbing plants, the shape of the square will be clearer.
not only greenery
The architects assume that parts of the existing floor will be demolished so that new greenery can be planted. Maciej Jacaszek stresses that the square currently has a distinctive, individually designed floor drawing based on an orthogonal composition of granite slabs in two shades. The other important compositional element of the square are the plane trees planted in a circular plan.
The concept of development of the square of the Friends of Sopot
© Gzowski Architekci, Restudio Jacaszek Architekci
This plan is legible only from a bird's eye view, from the perspective of a passer-by - no longer - explains the architect. - We decided that it is necessary to emphasize the shape of the circle, continuing the existing composition. We propose planting trees and new landscaping elements for the square: lighting, pergolas, benches, which will conquer the composition. We have prepared a concept that shows the potential of this place. We suggest that it is worth implementing not only greenery, but also small architecture, lighting, modernization of the fountain. We hope that all of this will create a multifunctional, friendly space and will fit in with the expectations of Sopot residents," explains Jacaszek.
visualization of the development concept for the square of the Friends of Sopot
© Gzowski Architekci, Restudio Jacaszek Architekci
A million zlotys is not enough?
Unfortunately, it is clear that the greening of the square is still not a priority investment for the city. It has been... 3.5 years since the project won the civic budget.
Back in 2017 there was a workshop with the participation of residents conducted by Sopot University. Tenders announced in 2018 and 2019 were not awarded, because the bids submitted by contractors were higher than the city planned to spend. Fifty residents attended the last meeting, and it is expected to close the planned consultation cycle.
After the presentation of the concept, we collected the last comments and are preparing a position paper on the matter. Then, according to the concept, technical documentation will be commissioned along with a cost estimate, which in turn will be the basis for announcing a tender for implementation, Sopot officials report.
According to the latest announcements, the works will begin no earlier than in the spring. And even this date is not certain, because - as we hear in the magistrate's office - "everything depends on the outcome of the tender."
The city has never admitted shortcomings in this project, considering the investment a success, adds Lukasz Pancewicz. - This project is an example of how residents were unable to get along with the city. They used the tool of the civic budget as an expression of frustration that the authorities did not solve the problem of insufficient greenery.
The authorities' approach to greening the square, is also reflected in the planned costs. Ten years ago, the reconstruction cost 12 million zlotys, while the city is allocating 1 million zlotys for the development of the square, which will be in accordance with the wishes of residents.
