Warsaw is increasingly bold in its emphasis on greenery, pedestrian and cyclist comfort and friendlier public spaces. Green streets, which until recently were mainly associated with the left bank of the capital, are also slowly appearing in Praga. The latest example of these changes is Okrzei Street, which will soon be completely transformed into a place offering the shade of trees, comfortable pavements, bicycle paths and space to spend time outdoors instead of asphalt and noise.
Prague is gaining in importance
The New Warsaw Centre, an ambitious project to revitalise central urban spaces, crosses the Vistula. After the completion of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge that connected the boulevards to Praga, the time has come for the next steps. It is about the reconstruction of Okrzei Street. As announced by the Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski, this investment is to completely change the character of this part of the district, improving its functionality and aesthetics.
The tender procedure is over. There is a lot to choose from
The City Roads Authority has just completed the stage of collecting bids for the redevelopment. Four firms were interested in carrying out the project, and their financial proposals, ranging between PLN 20 and 23.5 million, turned out to be as much as 30 per cent lower than the cost estimate. Now it is time to select the contractor. Once the contract is signed, he will have 17 months to complete the investment.
Okrzei – a street friendly to people and nature
The new Okrzei is first and foremost a space where pedestrians and cyclists will be the most important. The carriageway will be narrowed to one lane. Cars will not disappear completely, but they will be the ‘guests’ here, not the hosts. The existing asphalt will be replaced by an aesthetically pleasing stone surface, and trees will be planted along the street, creating pleasant green alleys. A two-way cycle path is planned on the north side of the street. There will be wide pavements on both sides with space for food gardens. The reconstruction will also include an upgrade of the intersections, which will be elevated to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Greenery in focus
A lot of space has been devoted to vegetation in the project. 74 new trees will be planted, including small pear trees and red maples. They will find their place in so-called ‘anti-compression modules’. This tried-and-tested solution protects the roots of the trees and improves their growth conditions, as previously tested on the so-called Five Corners Square. In addition, there will be flowerbeds, shrubs, lawns and landscaping. Everything will be adapted to urban realities.
An investment for future generations
The changes at Okrzei Street are part of a broader vision of the city’s development, namely a greener, more accessible and sustainable Warsaw. High-quality materials, aesthetics, safety and functionality are the priorities not only of this investment, but also of subsequent stages of transformation in Praga.
What next for Okrzei Street?
In the coming months, the city will announce a competition for a concept for the redevelopment of further streets, squares and squares in the heart of Old Praga. It will concern, among others, Floriańska Street, the square between Okrzei and Kłopotowskiego and Weteranów 1863 square. The aim of these measures will be to improve the quality of public space and to facilitate pedestrian and cycle transport.
Source: City Roads Authority
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Warsaw | Curiosities | Ecology | Metamorphosis
Okrzei Street now and soon. Photo: Google Maps and ZDM
