Café, gazebo, fountains and.... metal trees? This is how one of the variants of the reconstruction of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square in Czestochowa, developed by GRUPA VERSO DELTOID Sp. z o. o.. Why was an alternative version of the concept created, and how could unnecessary confusion have been avoided?
Władysław Biegański Square last underwent modernization in 2011. The space, previously cluttered with roadways, was unified and transformed into a rectangular square, enclosed on the north by the plot occupied by St. James Church, and on the south by the building of the City Hall and the western pavilion of the guardhouse. A modern, pedestrian-friendly space was to be created, becoming the new heart of the city. Unfortunately, the costly renovation did not bring the expected results - Biegański Square became a concrete frying pan, devoid of greenery and shade, on which café gardens of questionable aesthetics landed disorderly during the vacations. Following the common practice of de-concretizing city squares, the City has decided to redevelop one of the most important spaces in the center of Częstochowa once again. Back in January of this year, the Częstochowa City Hall presented a project that, despite a significant increase in green space, was met with criticism and divided Częstochowa residents.
Concepts for the reconstruction of Władysław Biegański Square - Variant 1
© VERSO group
Singapore in Częstochowa
In basic assumptions, the original concept of revitalization of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square in Czestochowa, designed by the VERSO Group, was typical. According to the presented visualizations, the northern part of the square, located right in front of the small garden surrounding the 19th century St. Jacob's Church, would be developed in the form of a narrow, green square organized around tall trees that have been growing here for years. In its corners, on the eastern and western sides, two low volumes with a minimalist expression were planned. The first, located on Jana Kilińskiego Street, would house a year-round café, while the second, located on the opposite side of the square and designed in the form of a gazebo, would serve as a meeting and event venue. Two fountains shaped to resemble tree crowns are also planned in front of the pavilions.
Concepts for reconstruction of Władysław Biegański Square - Variant 1
© VERSO group
The most far-reaching changes were found in the southern part of the designed square. Before the war, the 19th century city hall was accompanied by two pavilions, located on its eastern and western sides. The eastern building was demolished after World War II - now in its place is a restaurant garden. According to the project of the VERSO Group, "Odwach bis", i.e. a reconstructed eastern pavilion, this time intended for commercial and service functions, would stand in its place. However, the most exciting idea is to develop the space directly in front of the façade of the eclectic town hall. The designers have planned two green plots there, where grass would grow and...metal scaffolding covered with vines. With what reactions did the unconventional idea meet?
Concepts for reconstruction of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square - Variant 1
© VERSO group
in the shadow of metal trees
The futuristic project has become the subject of heated debate. The metal trees, as residents christened the structures proposed by the VERSO Group, would be overgrown with vines and equipped with lamps to provide adequate illumination of the square. Among commentators, comparisons to another similar solution - the hanging Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, where metal structures resembling giant trees were also built. Without getting into a discussion of aesthetic issues, it is important to note the different function performed by the "artificial" trees in the two locations. In the case of the Singapore implementation, they represent an architectural intervention inside a garden full of vegetation. In Czestochowa, on the other hand, they would be the equivalent of real trees, providing cooling and much-needed shade in the square. It is difficult to imagine that the structures proposed by the VERSO Group would effectively meet these tasks.
Concepts for the reconstruction of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square - Variant 1
© VERSO Group
Metal structures are not the only problems of the discussed concept - attention is drawn, among others, to accessibility problems with lawns elevated above the square's slab, or the destruction of the axial premise created between the city hall and St. James Church. Located on the northern side of the park, the green parcel would also disorganize pedestrian traffic, while the café pavilion and gazebo would obscure the body of the church.
Concepts for the reconstruction of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square - Variant 2
© VERSO group
movement of the City
In response to criticism, the VERSO Group has presented a new variant for the revitalization of Wladyslaw Bieganski Square. The updated version featured "traditional" trees growing in large pots instead of metal structures. However, other modifications were not included in the design, leaving the problematic solution of the northern part of the square unchanged. Both concepts were presented in front of City Hall by office staff in the form of charts and visualizations displayed in VR goggles. In early September, the city made available an online survey, in which one can choose between two options for modernizing the square, or signal the need for a new concept. Those reluctant to change can also choose to opt out of the revitalization effort. Will this be enough for Biegański Square to undergo a beneficial metamorphosis?
Concepts for the reconstruction of Władysław Biegański Square - Variant 2
© VERSO group
survey is not enough
It seems that the City's actions, while seemingly meeting the reported problems, have not been properly organized. As Hubert Wąsek, an architect from Częstochowa and president of the local branch of SARP from 2015-2023, points out, the survey was constructed in an ill-conceived way - the digital form makes it inaccessible to part of the public. The lack of proper verification of the votes cast is also questionable. Anyone can vote, and more than once. However, these are only some of the problems with "patching up" the controversial project - probably some of them could have been avoided if the whole project had been organized in a competitive mode. In fact, the contractor for the project was selected by the city, according to the studio, in the form of a tender. And this, however, is not certain, since the tender is not listed in the public information bulletin.
This is a shortcut. It was explained that the competition could not be implemented because it takes too long. The competition, from announcement to completion, takes six months, allowing selection from dozens of works from all over Poland and the world. In contrast, the procedure organized by the city has been going on for more than a year, and we have twin concepts that are problematic. There is a huge gap between the organized competition and the experimental mode that the City of Częstochowa used.
- Hubert Wąsek explains.
costly lesson
Will Biegański Square be rebuilt in the concept presented to residents? How many amendments will be made before construction begins, and will the City take into account the voices criticizing not only the metal racks, but also the other elements of the space development? It's hard to say, but what is certain is that the history of the Biegański Square revitalization project shows us that not every form of dialogue between authorities and residents is equally effective, and that planning architectural interventions in public spaces should always be preceded by properly conducted consultations - not the other way around.
