Marcinkowskiego
Projekt. Fot. Rada Osiedla Stare Miasto

Greenery instead of a car park. Another section of Al. Marcinkowskiego in Poznań will undergo a metamorphosis

The project to redevelop Al. Marcinkowskiego in Poznań is an ambitious plan to transform this part of the city into a modern and friendly space that harmonises with the historic character of its surroundings. The renovation, inspired by the concept of Professor Władysław Krzyżaniak, aims to improve the aesthetics and ecology of the space through new surfaces, greenery and an innovative water retention system. The planned reconstruction includes the section from Św. Marcin Street to 23 Lutego Street, as a stylistic continuation of the existing appearance of this part of Al. Marcinkowskiego.

The project has been submitted for co-financing as part of the EU task ‘Support for small water retention and development of green infrastructure in the Poznań Metropolis area – Stage II’, which is part of the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITA). The decision to grant funds is crucial for the implementation of the investment, which is planned to start in 2025. The construction work will be carried out on the basis of complete project documentation. The City of Poznań will commission the company Poznańskie Inwestycje Miejskie (PIM), which will act as a substitute investor. Responsibility for the retention elements will be entrusted to Aquanet Retention to ensure the environmental integrity of the project.

Aleje Marcinkowskiego currently. Photo: Google Maps

The project envisages converting parking spaces into green belts and maintaining car parks on the eastern side of Aleje Marcinkowskiego within the Paid Parking Zone. On the western side, dedicated spaces are provided for the Police and the Court. The new layout will provide a total of 24 parking spaces, including 11 public parking spaces, three for people with disabilities and 10 for the Police and the Court. The new green space refers to Prof. Krzyzaniak’s previously realised layout, which residents can see in the section between St. Marcin Street and 23 Lutego Street. It is planned to plant low vegetation such as lawns and flower beds, as well as two rows of pedunculate oak trees. As part of nature conservation, the existing yew tree growing on the side of 23 Lutego Street will be protected, which will be cared for and integrated into the new green layout.

The avenues now and in the future. Photo: Google Earth and Old Town Council

The redevelopment includes a state-of-the-art retention system, including an underground tank to collect treated rainwater, which will be used to water the greenery. This system, in accordance with Aquanet Retention guidelines, includes infiltration boxes for excess water and two underground systems adapted to the specific geology of the site. The concept is currently available as of 4 October. The final documentation with full visualisations will be submitted to the Estate Council in early 2025 so that the community can see the final results of the planned works.

Avenues now. Google Maps photo

Thanks to the support of the Freedom Square Association and the Old Town Neighbourhood Council, the process of adapting Prof Krzyzaniak’s concept is being closely monitored, and the version of the project presented is not yet final. The Council will be submitting comments, which will include the creation of a transition from the eastern to the western side of the street in the middle of the designed section and a better connection to the existing green belt between 23 Lutego Street and Wolności Square.

Source: Stare Miasto Housing Estate Council

Read also: Poznań | Places, Squares, Parks | Metamorphosis | City | Ecology | whiteMAD on Instagram