Thirty years after its last modernisation, the renovation of Lubniewice’s market square has begun. Although the city authorities promise to restore its former splendour, the undertaking has evoked mixed reactions from the very beginning. The decision to revitalise was the result of long-standing signals from residents and tourists, but the first steps – cutting down trees – were met with criticism. Experts claim that the trees were diseased and rotten, so it was decided to make new plantings.
Lubniewice town square revitalised
At the beginning of January, the square turned into a construction site and the contractor began demolition work. The project envisages radical changes to the appearance of the space. The dominance of concrete and cobblestones will disappear in favour of natural materials – granite stone slabs in various sizes and granite paving blocks. The walls, which were previously impractical and constituted architectural obstacles, will be removed.
The square before renovation. Photo: materials of Lubniewice Municipality
Cutting down trees in Lubniewice town square
The most visible change is to be a significant increase in the number of trees and vegetation. Instead of the current nine trees, there will be 22 of them, each about three metres high and with a trunk circumference of 25 to 30 cm. The project also includes the creation of flowerbeds with colourful flowers. Three rainwater tanks with a capacity of 30,000 litres will be installed underground to enable efficient watering of the plants. An automated irrigation system will also be introduced, which could help to keep the greenery in good shape. Despite these plans, there have been concerns among residents that the new trees will not immediately be able to replace the mature greenery that has disappeared from the market. The trees growing there so far, according to the dendrological opinion, were diseased and rotten on the inside, so it was decided to cut them down.
The symbol of Lubniewice in a new form
The Rusalka fountain, regarded as one of the symbols of the town square, will not return to its former place. Experts have assessed its technical condition as bad. The new sculpture, which is to replace the fountain, will refer to the original. The city authorities will try to find a new place for the historic Rusalka.
Lubniewice market square renovation – costs and implementation
The revitalisation project was prepared by the Gorzów-based studio ZUM Architekci Marcin Żurowski, while the execution was entrusted to Agencja Usługowa Stanisław Cap from Międzyrzecz. The total cost of the investment amounts to almost PLN 6.5 million gross.
Source: Lubniewice24, gazetalubuska.pl
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