How should we adapt our spaces to new challenges? What should we do when the heat is pouring from the sky and lawns are turning into yellow, burned-out islands? Lodz has once again decided to make radical changes to the space in an effort to prevent change.
The square at Kilińskiego and Rewolucji 1905 streets
© City Hall of Lodz
The square at the corner of Kilińskiego and Rewolucji 1905 Streets underwent an overall metamorphosis. The city was primarily concerned with moving away from unorganized greenery, which in the case of a pedestrian thoroughfare would not serve its purpose. In addition, it was necessary to introduce places for relaxation.
A space so far devoid of adequate seating
© City Hall of Lodz
The basis of the change was the introduction of more greenery. New trees, shrubs, perennials or climbing plants were planted as part of the project. In order to minimize loss, due to the possibility of withering, it was decided here to have an irrigation system in the dry season. Among the plants, the element that stands out the most is the row of kanzan cherry trees, which will bloom in a beautiful pink-purple color.
The cherry trees decided here, among others
© City Hall of Lodz
The infrastructure has taken into account not only basic changes in terms of water and sewage, but also new sidewalks and trellises, which will eventually be overgrown with green vines. As for the benches, an unusual choice was made - a long wooden structure with a curved shape. In this way it adapts to the shape of the lawns. Equally important was to improve the transportation possibilities of this zone, for which a station for city bicycles will serve.
In addition, a station for bicycles was located next to it
© City Hall of Lodz
small steps in the long run
Changes to the square at the corner of Kilińskiego and Rewolucji 1905 streets are another element of Lodz's urban change process. This year construction work began on the Old Market Square, where greenery is to return. The formerly concrete-lined Schiller Passage is to become a space with room for art and new greenery. Henryka Dabrowskiego Square, which has been haunting for a decade, is also to be greened, although here there have been objections to the tender, pointing out that the city should rely on a competition. Attempts to introduce green ivy walls are also hard to forget. Lodz also hosted this year the Congress on Climate Regeneration of Cities, where the path of transformation of Polish urban centers was discussed.
The square at Kilińskiego and Rewolucji 1905 streets
© City Hall of Lodz
However, this does not change the fact that Lodz still faces many problems resulting from the change in its economic profile, moving away from its industrial character, as Professor Jerzy Hausner discussed in Architektura&Biznes. A number of measures, some of which have failed or whose possible success is debatable, show Lodz's path. Also the fact that the city's development does not depend only on purely economic issues, but also on culture, sports or just greenery. The need for a holistic approach ceases to be debatable and becomes the norm.
Square at Kilińskiego and Rewolucji 1905 streets
© City Council of Lodz
