The press conference was attended by representatives of the City of Lodz Office, the Mayor of Lodz Hanna Zdanowska and the Director of the Ecology and Climate Department Maciej Riemer, representatives of the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, the Vice-Dean of the faculty, Dr hab. Mariusz Sokołowicz, Associate Professor and Dr Magdalena Biernacka, representatives of the originators, students of Spatial Management and members of the SPATIUM Student Science Club: Oliwia Wierucka and Aleksandra Wierzbicka. During the conference the Mayor, thanked the students for their commitment to the development of the city and expressed support for the WoonerfPOW project:
Building civil society, which we started quite a few years ago, is bringing results. (...) Students from the science club not only invented and designed the project, but I think they will also effectively supervise the construction works once they start (...) I’d like to offer my congratulations to the ladies and the entire team. We promise that we will try to find funds for it.
WoonerfPOW
According to the project implemented by the students from Spatium, WoonertPOW will be a traffic calmed space, with more greenery, adapted to pedestrians and cyclists, and, above all, safe. The project includes places for rest and play, as well as bicycle racks and parking spaces. Increasing biodiversity in the city is an important element. That is why the project assumes enlarging the biologically active area, among other things, a flower meadow, planting new trees and shrubs (including honey-bearing ones) and blue-green infrastructure. This is a place that fits into the concept of Lodz – an academic city, as well as the assumptions of adapting Lodz to climate change. WoonerfPOW is a place that connects!
The project idea
The SPATIUM Student Science Club started conceptual work in December 2021. The identified problems, potential and needs of space users were confirmed by a number of conversations with the academic community, the parents' council, the management of Primary School No. 111 and entrepreneurs who have their businesses in this part of the street. Additionally, a survey was conducted among residents of tenement houses located nearby and at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology. The initial project was developed in cooperation with research workers. It was consulted with the Municipal Planning Office in Lodz, the Environmental Management Division, the Road and Transport Management of the City of Lodz Office and the Fenomen Foundation. Then, the Faculty of Economics and Sociology of the University of Lodz held open public consultations, during which the project was positively received.
Source: SPATIUM Student Science Club for Spatial Management
Edit: Faculty Development Centre, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz
Photos: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz