In October, the industry portal Property Design published an article devoted to one of the most important urban planning topics in Krakow – the future of the Wesoła district. A master plan for this area was developed by a team of experts appointed by the City of Krakow. Architect Bartłomiej Kisielewski, partner at Horizone Studio, served as the lead architect and deputy head of the team. The aim of the study was to create a vision for a modern, green, and multifunctional district that would open the former hospital grounds to the city, integrating social, educational, cultural, and recreational functions. The master plan includes a Design Pharmacy, an Urban Forum, the Groteska Center for Theatre Practices, and a new home for the Krakow Library – Mediateka. The central element of the concept is a “meadow of events” – an open public space surrounded by greenery, water, and recreational areas, intended to foster community building. The design was developed following extensive public consultations involving residents, city institutions, non-governmental organizations, and experts. Implementation of the master plan is planned for the next decade and will encompass over 20 investment projects.
The Wesoła area in Krakow, where the hospital once operated, will be returned to the city. The closed-off quarter will be transformed into a vibrant, green district. A number of investments are planned, the implementation of which will take a decade.
The areas of the former hospital complex in Krakow, closed for years, will open up to the city, transforming The Krakow Festival Office has overseen the project, and the Krakow Festival Office has developed a multifunctional green district combining innovation, education, culture, and recreation. The first step in this transformation was the development of a master plan for the area. The document, presented in July of this year, outlines the direction of transformations – landscape, spatial, and functional.
The vision for the new district emerged after multi-stage consultations and analyses. The development of the concept included consultations, debates, meetings, and workshops with residents, local institutions, non-governmental organizations, and experts from municipal and regional entities, as well as the international Organization of World Heritage Cities. The Krakow Festival Office oversaw the entire project, and the final master plan was developed by a team led by Chief City Architect Janusz Sepioł, with architect Bartłomiej Kisielewski from Horizone Studio as the lead architect and master plan coordinator.
The result of the design process, which began nearly five years ago, is a master plan envisioning the creation of a vibrant district in the Wesoła area. A multifunctional, green area offering spaces for integration, recreation, and cultural experiences. It includes event spaces, spaces for relaxation and neighborhood gatherings, a space for restaurants and artistic work, and co-living.
The primary goal of the concept was to create a place conducive to building community. The space itself was organized around greenery and water, which also constitute the district’s main compositional axis. Therefore, the focal point of the new district will be a multifunctional “event meadow,” surrounded by greenery and adjacent to a local park and a large pond.
There will also be more trees and water – in the form of rows of trees surrounding the running loop and walking path, as well as water mirrors, serving a compositional and aesthetic role. A nod to the well-being of residents are quiet zones, so-called contemplation spaces, and a herbarium.
Because the new district emphasizes social functions, culture, and education, key investments in the transformed area will include the Design Apteka (with a rooftop terrace), the Urban Forum, serving as a center for architectural and urban activities, the Groteska Center for Theatre Practices, and the Mediateka, the new headquarters of the Kraków Library. Spaces for the House of Literature and the Community Cultural Center, among others, are also planned.
It’s worth noting that pedestrians and cyclists were prioritized in the district’s concept. Suffice it to say that a pedestrian and bicycle path will cut through the center of Wesoła, connecting the city center with Powstania Warszawskiego Avenue. New Wesoła will be well-connected to public transportation and the area’s main streets, such as Grzegórzecka, Kopernika, Śniadeckich, and Św. Łazarza.
The Krakow City Development Agency is responsible for implementing the master plan. Implementation of the entire master plan is scheduled for the next ten years and will be divided into three phases. Plans call for the construction of new buildings and necessary infrastructure, as well as adaptations of existing facilities and spaces. In total, over 20 investment projects are planned, with a total estimated cost of approximately PLN 1.2 billion.
Among the projects to be developed are the Mediateka and the Urban Forum, for which competitions are planned. Where will the city find the funding for this? Some of the investments will be covered by the city budget, while others will be financed by European funds and external partners, including private investors under the PPP formula.
