The exchange of know-how between local governments and universities is an often overlooked element that can benefit both parties. Above all, for students of architecture and urban planning, it is a great chance to make a real change in the environment, and for cities it is ideas worth considering.
An example of such cooperation can be seen in the agreement signed by Bialystok University of Technology and the City of Augustow, which solidified the already long-standing cooperation between the local government and the university. The Polytechnic is to support Augustow in the creation of infrastructural solutions.
We want to offer the scientific and teaching potential of the university, but also our infrastructure to be used in the search for innovative, attractive solutions for the socio-economic environment. In terms of technology, in terms of logistics, organization and in other areas that will truly respond to the needs of the environment," stresses Professor Marta Kosior-Kazberuk.
long-term cooperation
Cooperation between Augustow and Bialystok University of Technology is nothing new. In recent years, the Architecture Studio of Local Cultures at the Faculty of Architecture of Bialystok University of Technology has designed dozens of projects such as "Tourist Route of the Augustow Canal" (2017), "Nature Observatories" (2018-2022) or "Augustow as a Garden City. Eco-revitalization of the Sigismund Augustus Square (2022). Cooperation also occurs in the case of scientific practices.
The servant role of the university, including the Laboratory of Architecture of Local Cultures, has long manifested its mission in the region, especially recently in Augustow and the region of northeastern Poland. This is also a certain perspective for the restoration of servant architecture, discreet, non-invasive architecture, which can guarantee us the fulfillment of the basic condition for the existence of a sustainable, creative world, created in harmony with the environment, in order, in the world order," points out Professor Jerzy Uścinowicz.
Understand the value of cooperation
The vital importance of university-authority cooperation also seems to be understood by the Mayor of Augustow himself, who points out the need to support professionals.
We want to reconcile modern technical solutions with what we have, so that while striving to be a smart city, we can also enjoy nature, which is present in Augustow. Today it is very often impossible to do things ad hoc. You need to be supported by the knowledge of professionals," Miroslaw Karolchuk, Mayor of Augustow, said at the press conference.
The city-formingpotential resulting from such a formula of cooperation should be seen in other mayors - not only through the prism of openness to new ideas, but at least optimization of financial costs (which, unfortunately, still appeals more often than other ideas).
