The valley of the Oruński Stream, once wild and inaccessible, has gained a second life as the central recreational area of the Urzeka housing estate in Gdańsk. The investor, developer Domesta, has transformed the area into a friendly space open to all. Arranged greenery supplemented with elements of small architecture harmoniously links the natural landscape with the carefully designed buildings nearby. As a result, residents discover a unique place to meet, play and relax in the heart of the greenery. Importantly, the place has already been appreciated by experts.
The new green area is located near the Urzeka estate in Gdańsk, which was created to harmoniously combine the functionality of urban living with proximity to nature, realising the concept of the so-called 15-minute city. Inside each quarter, there are green courtyards for the integration of residents, comfortable pedestrian and bicycle paths and intimate playgrounds. Now the place has gained a new space for relaxation and play.
The real pearl of the development is the valley of the Oruński Stream – once wild and inaccessible, it is now an integral part of the neighbourhood. It has been transformed into a friendly, natural recreational area, open to all. Children can play on a natural playground, surrounded by greenery, which encourages their development, creativity and health. The space is complemented by a wooden viewing platform, which makes it possible to admire the charms of the valley from a new perspective,’ describes Katarzyna Palewska, Marketing and Arrangement Manager at DOMESTA Sp. z o.o..
The natural playground was designed in the spirit of ecology and creativity. Instead of traditional equipment, there were wooden climbing structures, terrain slides embedded in natural earth mounds and balance ropes to develop motor coordination. Vegetable labyrinths and micro-paths have been placed among stones, sand and flowing water, encouraging the youngest to explore on their own and build their own play stories.
A wooden viewing platform, rising above the crowns of young trees, allows one to look out over the valley and discover its beauty. The minimalist form of the platform fits gently into its surroundings, and the use of local timber emphasises the attention to integrity with the landscape. It is here that residents can meet for afternoon talks, birdwatching or attend outdoor cultural events.
The area is divided into three zones, differentiated by the choice of greenery: nature, neighbourhood and urban. Landscape architects from Studio Krajobraz took care of the appropriate arrangement.
In the nature zone, the wild, forested greenery is preserved and recreated at the interface with the housing estate. It offers everyone the opportunity for close contact with nature in peace and quiet. There are trees such as pedunculate oak, common hornbeam, beech and beech. These are complemented by the ground cover plants and ferns that make up the forest communities in the area,” says Marcelina Ragan, Landscape Studio
An integral part of the valley are retention ponds and rain gardens planted with moisture-loving vegetation that collect excess rainwater, protecting the area from flooding and supporting the vegetation during periods of drought. The natural reservoirs also create habitats for birds, amphibians and beneficial insects, increasing the biodiversity of this part of the city.
It was also important to minimise the impact of the development on the surrounding nature. Here, 192 pieces of replacement planting were introduced for the necessary cuttings (phase 1). Where possible, native or established species resistant to local climatic conditions were used. This represents a great saving of water, which is also retained in rain gardens planted with moisture-loving plants. Plant species selection was carried out taking into account the needs of the local fauna to provide food and shelter, adds Marcelina Ragan.
The peace and quiet was achieved by slowing down car traffic. Vehicles are only allowed to drive on the estate’s ring road, and pedestrian and cycle routes have been created in the central area. Thanks to this solution, everyone, including people with reduced mobility, can safely access this green enclave.
The Oruński Stream Valley is an excellent example of how an urban space can be transformed into a friendly ecosystem where residents and nature coexist in complete harmony. It is here that family meetings, afternoon exercises or weekend picnics are combined with environmental education and direct contact with nature.
Finally, a last-minute news item. The “Urzeka” investment has won the “Happy Neighbourhoods” competition organised by Otodom and Gazeta Wyborcza. The ‘Szczęśliwe Sąsiedztwa’ competition recognises the best designed and functional communal spaces and initiatives that build inter-neighbourly relations.
source: Domesta, editorial team
Read also: Places, Squares, Parks | Gdańsk | Block | Metamorphosis | whiteMAD on Instagram
I prepared this article in collaboration with Domesta.
