The green redevelopment of Zgoda Street in Warsaw is nearing completion. What was once a space dominated by cars and tarmac has been transformed into a pedestrian-friendly ‘woonerf’ full of trees and flowerbeds featuring flowers, perennials and shrubs. This is an important part of the New Centre of Warsaw programme, which is gradually transforming the capital’s city centre.
Green Zgoda has come to life
The redevelopment of Zgoda Street began in the summer of 2024. The contract with Skanska was signed on 16 July, and work began in August. The Warsaw-based practice RS Architektura Krajobrazu, led by Dorota Rudawa, is responsible for the urban and landscape design. The project covers the entire block bounded by Zgoda, Złota, Jasna and Sienkiewicza Streets, as well as a section of Marszałkowska Street. Work is being carried out across an area of approximately 2.5 ha, and most of it is nearing completion. The project is due to be completed in the second half of 2026.
Hundreds of trees and rainwater retention
The most visible change is the vast amount of new greenery. Ultimately, 167 large trees will be planted throughout the block, many of which are already around 9 metres tall. Along Zgoda Street itself, 11 magnificent elms, amongst others, have been planted. These are complemented by shrubs, perennials, lawns and flower meadows, and the total area of green spaces will reach nearly 3,000 square metres. Retention tanks with a capacity of 432,000 litres have been constructed beneath Złota Street to collect rainwater for the automatic watering of plants. This system is complemented by rain gardens, infiltration basins and surfaces that allow water to seep into the ground. As a result, rainwater will remain on site, supporting the vegetation even during the summer heat.
A ‘woonerf’ instead of a road for cars
Until recently, Zgoda Street was dominated by tarmac, wide carriageways, narrow pavements and parking spaces. As for the street’s greenery, it consisted of… just one tree. Following the redevelopment, it is now a pedestrian-friendly ‘woonerf’ – a traffic-calmed street where pedestrians have priority. The entire area is now part of a residential zone and a 30 km/h zone. Some of the parking spaces will remain available to residents, whilst the rest of the cars will be directed to the nearby car park under Plac Powstańców Warszawy. Near Zgody 12, a square is being created with a playground, an outdoor gym, tables and places to relax. Meanwhile, the Garden of Music is being created in front of the National Philharmonic, and a new city square is taking shape next to the House under the Eagles.
Green Zgoda nears completion
Nowa Zgoda already boasts a stone surface, high-quality paving slabs and wide green verges. In addition, benches, cycle racks, litter bins, new lighting and CCTV are being installed. Most of the work has already been completed; smaller plants are currently being planted. Once the entire project, part of the New Centre of Warsaw, is complete, residents will gain a cooler and more welcoming space that will reduce the urban heat island effect and make it easier to walk between Chmielna Street, the so-called Pięciu Rogów Square, Central Square and Powstańców Warszawy Square.
Source:Warsaw City Hall
Photos: Mateusz Markowski/whiteMAD
See also: Greenery | Woonerf|Warsaw|City|Metamorphosis|whiteMAD on Instagram
Zgoda then and now. Photos: Google Maps and Mateusz Markowski/whiteMAD
