Regiostars Awards is EU-wide competition that puts the spotlight on the most innovative and inspiring EU funded projects. This year the European Commission awarded Gdansk in the category "CityStar: Sustainable urban development". The Lower Town district changed immensely and the great place for living and tourism was created. Our unique approach, combining social and infrastructural change, is praised in the European Union.
A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. Before reading further, I invite you to watch this short video:
The new infrastructure is easy to show on picture, but when it comes to a revitalization of a district, the story about renovating buildings and building new pathways is not enough. What matters first, is mapping social problems, needs, and expectations of the residents. This is the approach I believe in and which I decided to take in the Lower Town (Dolne miasto). The district is a great, historical part of Gdansk, which, in opposite to other city districts, didn't suffer heavy destruction during the WWII. However, for decades, the district haven't get enough funds for maintenance. There was a growing number of problems and its potential remained hidden. Almost every city tackles with similar problems, but the European Commission's award proves that our approach may be considered a good practice for other cities.
The revitalization of the Lower Town included investments in both infrastructure and social fabric. Social and cultural projects helped tackle with the problems typical for the district. We were solving problems of social exclusion, including activities focused on children, young adults and parents.
From the very first moment, residents were involved in building partnerships with the city hall and renowned institutions like Laznia Centre for Contemporary Art. Intensified cultural work and social activities induced active participation from the residents.
Regarding measurable result, 33 facilities underwent upgrade, and a total area of 22 564 sq. m was renovated. We run 210 social inclusion programmes, in which 9463 people participated and 5 new jobs were created at the city's children day care center.
Photo: DRMG
On this picture there is my visit on Lakowa street, when the renovation of the pathways was almost ready. Photo: P. Poloczanski
This is how the EU worksSometimes people say that the EU is too distanced from real-life problems of common people. I couldn't disagree more. Our revitalization projects wouldn't happen, if they weren't supported by the money from the Cohesion Policy. The money intended for supporting economic growth and creating more sustainable economy.
We do need to use this money in a smart way, for building future generation's well-being. Thanks to joint efforts of the Lower Town residents, activists and city staff, we prove together that the EU help achieve great results.
I appreciate very much these outstanding efforts and results. My thank you to all engaged in the project!
We have fun on the Lower Town:
Photo: G. Mehring