If the areas above the Brda River in Babia Wieś were revitalized based on a bold and unconventional architectural concept, we could achieve a smaller-scale equivalent of the urban gem that is the district of Copenhagen – Orestad.
However, Orestad is one of the most interesting examples in the world of transforming neglected urban areas into a tourist attraction. Located on the outskirts of the Danish capital, the empty spaces started to be revitalized based on a comprehensive and cohesive vision in the early 90s.
The concept envisioned this part of the city as green areas, in which architecturally daring and interesting buildings with various functions would be incorporated; educational institutions, cultural centers, student residences, residential buildings. Numerous canals and watercourses were intended to complement the whole in this part of the city.
Young architects vs burnt-out star architects
City authorities went against the popular trend of hiring star architects and forcing the Bilbao effect on themselves. The leaders of Copenhagen opted for young, then relatively unknown, local architects. And it turned out to be a bullseye. The young creators created an ideal mini-city that began to set trends for others. As a result, the Scandinavian design school, which used to be associated with issues such as interior design or tasteful office furniture, now also matters in architecture.
Meanwhile, burnt-out “star architects” of the old school, led by Frank Gehry, continued to build their increasingly derivative and banal structures around the world, which no longer impressed anyone, and the Bilbao effect became an empty phrase.
Can the experiences from Copenhagen be used in the development of the right-bank areas between the Pomorski Bridge and the Bernardyńskie Roundabout? Of course, although not entirely literally, but rather as a subtle inspiration.
The first step should be to create a comprehensive, coherent concept for this area. So far, everything has been created on a completely spontaneous basis – the “Łuczniczka” hall, later the bridge in a kitschy orange-green color scheme (Calatrava in a rural tuning), and recently the River Tower. It cannot be said that the latter building is ugly, but is it a captivating architecture that meets our expectations and current trends? Rather not.
The next “skyscraper” above the Brda River was supposed to be Nordic Astrum. However, the investment was suspended at the very beginning when it turned out that as a result of excavations, the tenement houses in the area started to crack, and the tram tracks were also damaged. In this case, the resistance of matter turned out to be beneficial for the city. The NA project was received very coldly, and it is probably a good thing that it did not materialize.
So, considering what has already been built and mostly does not impress, this area can still be made into a truly great part of the city. However, a basic condition must be met – the people responsible for urban planning in the town hall should prepare a coherent vision for this area. The current formula of building structures according to the preferences and concepts of individual investors has not proven effective.
