Revitalization work has begun on a section of 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street in Old Polesie in Lodz, which is expected to become a resident-friendly green woonerf in 2022. This is another revitalization project in Łódź's urban space, where greenery plays a major role. This time the redevelopment concept was consulted in detail with residents, which undoubtedly adds to its value. What specifically does the project entail?
Another area in urban space in Lodz is being revitalized and greened. This time it's a section of 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street, located in the so-called Old Po lesie district. As announced by the authorities, it is to turn into a woonerf full of greenery, i.e. an urban space dedicated to both pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, enriched with greenery and small architecture.
more greenery!
What specifically does the revitalization work entail? First and foremost, supplementing the existing stand of trees so that 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street becomes a green, peaceful avenue. Currently it is enlivened mainly by stately chestnut trees - not much else. The space is also in need of a major overhaul, if only to replace the pavement or water pipes.
The area is undergoing revitalization. The first stage of work is currently underway there
© UM Lodz
The Lodz local government has announced that it is once again betting on greenery. It intends to plant nine more new red chestnut trees, which do very well in urban spaces. The reconstructed section will also feature shrubs and perennials - as in other revitalized spaces in the city.
We have already become accustomed to Old Polesie becoming Green Polesie. We are successively striving to further implement this idea, accepted and loved not only by local residents, but by all citizens of Lodz, " says Hanna Zdanowska, mayor of Lodz.
Revitalization with active participation of residents
It is noteworthy that the revitalization project of 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street was consulted with the residents of Lodz, who proposed the solutions most suitable for them. It turned out that they wanted the area to become greener, better organized, with more space for pedestrians. The authorities argue that all these assumptions have been taken into account in the project.
There will be wide, two-meter wide sidewalks, which will only narrow near the trees, so as to provide good conditions for their vegetation. There will also be small architecture, i.e. benches, bicycle racks and trash garbage cans. In addition, we will build a street well by the tenement with number 9 ," Hanna Zdanowska argues.
Currently, the first stage of work is underway, i.e. replacing water pipes. Next, new paving of the street and sidewalks is to be laid from concrete cubes. Parking spaces will be paved with granite blocks. Speaking of parking, 17 parking spaces are to be created on the revitalized section. There will also be new lighting.
The revitalization of the section of 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street is being carried out as part of the investment,"Reconstruction of 28 Pułku Strzelców Kaniowskich Street on the section from Więckowskiego Street to Zielona Street, and reconstruction of the water supply network with connections on the section from Więckowskiego Street to 6-go Sierpnia Street in Łódź". The project is the responsibility of the Board of Municipal Investments in Lodz. According to ZIM's announcements, the work should be completed in February 2022, with a total cost of about PLN 3.2 million.
Lodz follows the path of Paris?
In recent months, the Lodz local government has been taking more and more measures to green the city. Recently we wrote, for example, about a project to plant 20,000 trees along two-lane roads , or revitalization of open spaces where vegetation will play a large role, including revitalization of the Old Market. Now news is flowing about the greening of more streets. These initiatives deserve support, especially in times of climate crisis and the tendency to "refresh" and "modernize" Polish cities by concreting them, a particularly apt example of which is the high-profile revitalization of a square in Janów Podlaski.
Is Lodz taking a similar strategy to Paris in 2020? At that time, the French capital's authorities decided to start mass tree planting and eliminate more than half of parking spaces. Over the next six years, Paris authorities are to plant 170,000 trees in the city. There are many indications that Lodz is following suit. In this context, other Polish cities could boldly follow Lodz's example!
