As part of the nationwide study and concept architectural competition "Free the Bogdanka", organized by the Poznań International Fair, SARP Oddział Poznań and the Wielkopolska Regional Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland, students from all over the country had the opportunity to present their ideas for the restoration of the Bogdanka River - a left-bank tributary of the Warta River . The slogan of the competition reflected the goal of the project - to uncover and "free" the river from hidden pipes, restoring its natural course and ecological function.
The course of the current Bogdanka canal
© Emilia Cholewa I Michał Kościuk
the problem of water in the city
The problem of water in cities is becoming increasingly apparent with increasing urbanization. Today's water challenges include both scarcity and excess, which can lead to flooding and waterlogging due to inadequate land regulation and inefficient hardening of space. Contemporary urban planning concepts increasingly emphasize the importance of water as an integral part of the urban landscape and the need to restore the natural flows of former watercourses through restoration. Although the complete uncovering and restoration of such watercourses as Poznan's Bogdanka may not be achievable today along its entire course, there are areas where such a process is possible and advisable. An example is the Golęcin area, located between Lake Rusalka and Sołacki Park, which is a recreational and sports space. Sołacki social activists, supported by scientists and representatives of creative circles, have been calling for years for uncovering a fragment of the Bogdanka River and restoring its natural course, as we have written about on our portal. Such a step could not only restore the continuity of the western green wedge, but also enrich Golęcin's recreational offer by creating an attractive walking and biking route along the restored river.
study area
© Michal Szymanski and Piotr Banaszak
A green and blue vision for Poznań
In response to the water problem in Poznań, a student competition "Free the Bogdanka" was organized . The idea was to show the potential for creating a green-blue infrastructure in Poznan, based on the former courses of watercourses, currently hidden underground. The intention of the competition's organizers was to study the possibilities of changing the current development of the Golęcin area. The key task was to preserve its recreational and sports character while restoring the continuity of the ecological corridor of the Bogdanka valley. Participants in the competition had existing studies at their disposal, such as the 2023 master plan of the City Urban Planning Studio and the 2014 social program of the neighborhood councils, as well as the related concept by Andrzej Kurzawski and Jakub Gwizdała. The competition encouraged critical analysis of these documents and a creative approach, presenting new, original solutions.
area of development
© Aleksandra Bieszka, Aleksandra Mucha, Maria Pielach and Agata Marciniak
student concepts
The competition received 58 works from all over the country, offering various architectural and spatial-landscape approaches and solutions. During the two-day deliberations, the competition jury, composed of professors from Poznań universities as well as architects and urban planners, unanimously decided that the highest level and most interesting concepts were presented by students of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań (UAP). The works won three equal first prizes and one honorable mention, which emphasizes their high quality and innovation. The results of the competition were announced on our portal.
site development concept
© Aleksandra Chrząstek, Karolina Cieślak, Jakub Lewandowski, Daria Bruszkiewicz
Work No. 23 by Aleksandra Bieszka, Aleksandra Mucha, Maria Pielach and Agata Marciniak (UAP)
The students' work won the award for its comprehensive and resident-friendly solutions, which were presented in a clear and attractive graphic form. The key idea of this concept is to restore the continuity of the western green wedge in Poznan. The authors proposed the creation of a wide "green" pedestrian and bicycle passage under the Niestachowska route and a main walking route along the unearthed Bogdanka, which is to be the compositional axis of the whole establishment. The Golęcin area would become a place for recreation and a variety of amateur sports, with the function of professional sports minimized. Such changes could potentially create conflicts with existing users and users of the area, but the benefits to residents and the environment were considered a priority. Traffic reduction and a planned train stop have also been included in the design, which is an added benefit.
visualization
© Aleksandra Bieszka, Aleksandra Mucha, Maria Pielach and Agata Marciniak
Work no. 49 by Emilia Cholewa and Michał Kościuk (UAP)
The student idea won the award for aptly balancing Golęcin's existing functions with new forms of development. The project combines the existing range of professional sports with the idea of digging up the river in its former course. The main strengths of the concept are the interesting free-form design of the Bogdanka riverbed, the creation of rain gardens for rainwater retention, and the proposal of animal crossings separated from pedestrian routes. The project also promotes public transportation, reduction of car traffic and conscious avoidance of overinvestment in the area.
visualization
© Emilia Cholewa I Michal Kościuk
Work No. 3 by Michal Szymanski and Piotr Banaszek (UAP)
The students were recognized for their multifaceted environmental analysis and thoughtful and reasonable solutions. The authors proposed preserving the existing sports function, but with a clear separation between it and green areas of natural character. The uncovered current of the Bogdanka River was routed in a new channel, different from previous proposals. The work also has the advantage of reducing vehicular traffic and the concept of using existing parking lots and pavements in the immediate vicinity.
idea
© Michal Szymanski and Piotr Banaszak
Work No. 53 by Zofia Napiontek and Viktoria Bagińska (UAP)
The authors received an honorable mention for the bold decision to place the Niestachowska route in a tunnel, which allows spatial and natural connection of the interrupted fragment of the western green wedge. The project presents the concept of combining recreational and educational functions with the ecological function of the area. Attention is drawn to the free and natural way of shaping the banks of the reconstructed Bogdanka watercourse and the designed water reservoirs, which emphasizes the care for integration with the natural environment.
visualization
© Zofia Napiątek and Viktoria Bagińska
An honorable mention was also given to the design team consisting of: Aleksandra Chrząstek, Karolina Cieślak, Jakub Lewandowski, Daria Bruszkiewicz from the Faculty of Construction and Environmental Engineering at theWarsaw University of Life Sciences, and an honorable mention went to Michal Teodorczuk from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology .
site development concept
© Michal Teodorczuk
"Let's talk about water" exhibition
The culmination of the competition was the exhibition "Let's talk about water." The works were exhibited for two days on the grounds of the Poznań International Fair (MTP), and then were presented at the University of Arts in Poznań from April 22 to May 10. Among the exhibits were innovative architectural and spatial-landscape solutions that address various aspects of the presence of water in the city, such as flowing watercourses, ponds, retention gardens and wetlands. The aim of the exhibition was not only to showcase creative student ideas, but also to initiate a broader discussion on possible solutions to urban water problems.
