Main Page > Current Affairs > Science, Business, Education > Wrocław, the polycentric metropolis
2010-08-05 15:44:19
'As of now, Wrocław is a monocentric city but we want to change it. There will be three centres, not just one Market Square. Two new ones are in construction: one in the Centennary Hall area and the other in Euro 2012 stadium area', explains the Mayor.
Railway, trams and bikes
Road and city communication investments are particularly worth noting. If these ambitious plans come true, the city may succeed in convincing the inhabitants to use city transport.
'We're about to finish the Wrocław Motorway Bypass. We're also going to build another stretch of City Centre Bypass and the new track-way, first since the 70s, in the direction of Kozanow and Gaj. Thirty one new trams for Wrocław are being produced in Skoda factory and the intelligent ITS system will provide trams and buses with the right of way in the traffic', enumerates the Mayor.
City authorities has not forgotten of the cyclists. There are plans of expanding bicycle paths, the overhaul of the existing ones and creating new Bike&Ride bike parks and rent-a-bike services.
First route of Wrocław Metropolitan Railway from Długołęka to Siechnice is to be opened in 2011. The main purpose is to enable the inhabitants of all villages in the agglomeration to reach the centre of Wrocław in max 30 minutes.
'We also want to synchronise tram and railway route into so-called MeTram, making it possible to take a tram from Kobierzyce through the centre to Oborniki ÅšlÄ…skie', adds the Mayor.
Apart from the underground car park in Nowy Targ square, already in construction, two more car parks are going to be built in the city centre in close future: on Bernardyńska Street and under the City Moat (Fosa Miejska). They will help to reduce free parking in the very centre of the city.
Three centres of Wrocław
As a consequence of the idea of polycentric metropolis, the entire Market Square area will be open for pedestrians only.
'In the next few years, the area marked by the Oder on one side and the moat on the other will be a pedestrian area. First, we plan to rebuild Kuźnicza Street and close it for the traffic. As the extension of Świdnicka Street, it's the most important pedestrian route in the city', pointed out Mr Dutkiewicz.
'As regards Kazmierza Wielkiego Street, we plan to virtually close it for the car traffic. In the future, I plan to close Świdnicka Passage (Przejście Świdnickie). The street won't be developed, we'll give it to the pedestrians. Car traffic will be restricted as we plan to 'free' that street from cars by 2012.'
W-Z route will serve as an access road, not a transit. Instead of passing through the city centre, cars will drive Podwale or KoÅ›ciuszki Street, depending on the direction. The transit will be directed to City Centre Route South (Åšródmiejska Trasa PoÅ‚udniowa).
Centennary Hall Area is supposed to become a 'leisure zone'. According to the Mayor, since the opening of the multimedia fountain many more people go there, not only to see the performance but also to stroll or make a picnic. City authorities want to make the most of it and turn it into the place of leisure.
'As soon as in September, we're opening a congress centre in the vicinity of the Centennary Hall, we're continuously revitalising Szczytnicki Park, there are going to be more entertaining sites in the ZOO, like the Afrikarium. In a couple of years, we plan to create the Chinese Garden resembling the Yuan Ming Yuan palace garden', says the Mayor.
Third zone is the Pilczyce stadium area, the future symbol of the city. New tram route and integrated tram stop are already being built there. There will be a giant shopping centre next to the stadium and Wrocław Research Centre a bit further. The authorities consider building applied-exhibitory settlement in Żerniki Wrocławskie.
'Richard Florida's 3T theory says there are three powers that positively influence the city: talent, technology and tolerance. WrocÅ‚aw needs to be such city or even better – the city of 4T because identity (Polish: tożsamość) value a lot for us, too', jokingly concluded the Mayor.
Wrocław, the polycentric metropolis
Three centres of Wrocław instead of one, gradual turning of Market Square area into a pedestrian zone, new means of city transport – these are the changes that Wrocław will face in the years to come. The Mayor, Rafał Dutkiewicz, gave the speech on the city's development directions and plans for the future.
The Mayor of Wrocław presented city's development directions
Railway, trams and bikes
Road and city communication investments are particularly worth noting. If these ambitious plans come true, the city may succeed in convincing the inhabitants to use city transport.
'We're about to finish the Wrocław Motorway Bypass. We're also going to build another stretch of City Centre Bypass and the new track-way, first since the 70s, in the direction of Kozanow and Gaj. Thirty one new trams for Wrocław are being produced in Skoda factory and the intelligent ITS system will provide trams and buses with the right of way in the traffic', enumerates the Mayor.
City authorities has not forgotten of the cyclists. There are plans of expanding bicycle paths, the overhaul of the existing ones and creating new Bike&Ride bike parks and rent-a-bike services.
First route of Wrocław Metropolitan Railway from Długołęka to Siechnice is to be opened in 2011. The main purpose is to enable the inhabitants of all villages in the agglomeration to reach the centre of Wrocław in max 30 minutes.
There will be two more centres in Wrocław, says Mr Rafał Dutkiewicz
Apart from the underground car park in Nowy Targ square, already in construction, two more car parks are going to be built in the city centre in close future: on Bernardyńska Street and under the City Moat (Fosa Miejska). They will help to reduce free parking in the very centre of the city.
Three centres of Wrocław
As a consequence of the idea of polycentric metropolis, the entire Market Square area will be open for pedestrians only.
'In the next few years, the area marked by the Oder on one side and the moat on the other will be a pedestrian area. First, we plan to rebuild Kuźnicza Street and close it for the traffic. As the extension of Świdnicka Street, it's the most important pedestrian route in the city', pointed out Mr Dutkiewicz.
'As regards Kazmierza Wielkiego Street, we plan to virtually close it for the car traffic. In the future, I plan to close Świdnicka Passage (Przejście Świdnickie). The street won't be developed, we'll give it to the pedestrians. Car traffic will be restricted as we plan to 'free' that street from cars by 2012.'
W-Z route will serve as an access road, not a transit. Instead of passing through the city centre, cars will drive Podwale or KoÅ›ciuszki Street, depending on the direction. The transit will be directed to City Centre Route South (Åšródmiejska Trasa PoÅ‚udniowa).
We want Market Square area to be open for pedestrians only, emphasises the Mayor
'As soon as in September, we're opening a congress centre in the vicinity of the Centennary Hall, we're continuously revitalising Szczytnicki Park, there are going to be more entertaining sites in the ZOO, like the Afrikarium. In a couple of years, we plan to create the Chinese Garden resembling the Yuan Ming Yuan palace garden', says the Mayor.
Third zone is the Pilczyce stadium area, the future symbol of the city. New tram route and integrated tram stop are already being built there. There will be a giant shopping centre next to the stadium and Wrocław Research Centre a bit further. The authorities consider building applied-exhibitory settlement in Żerniki Wrocławskie.
'Richard Florida's 3T theory says there are three powers that positively influence the city: talent, technology and tolerance. WrocÅ‚aw needs to be such city or even better – the city of 4T because identity (Polish: tożsamość) value a lot for us, too', jokingly concluded the Mayor.
