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Kraków od nowa
Kraków od nowa: Igrzyska Europejskie, szklane wieże, premetro i nowe linie tramwajowe
Krakow awakens
January 27, 2022
(photo by Boguslaw Swierzowski)
“Kraków will be the first city in Poland to host the European Games next year. The games should generate an impulse for investment and provide a new start for tourism for the city,” declared Jacek Majchrowski, the Mayor of Kraków, at the seventh ‘Around the City in 8 Questions’ online meeting held by ULI Poland. The Mayor also announced the construction of a premetro system in a public-private partnership as well as the development of the Nowe Miasto new district for 100,000 residents, which should feature skyscrapers of more than 150m in height.
It was Marcin Klammer, the head of HB Reavis Polska and a member of the ULI Executive Committee in Poland, who introduced the seventh ‘Around the City in 8 Questions’ conference: “On behalf of ULI Poland, I have the pleasure to welcome the audience, as well as our esteemed guests, and look forward to hearing all the news from Kraków,” he announced.
Photo By Boguslaw Swierzowski
And there was a lot of news from the city. Such as the letter of intent signed a few days before the meeting on how the European Games in 2023 are to be organised, at a cost of about PLN 400 million. Kraków and the Małopolskie voivodship will each cover approx. PLN 100 million of the cost, while the national government is to provide around PLN 200 million.
“Apart from the investment in sports facilities, such as the city stadium and a modern canoe run, infrastructural investment will be of key importance,” pointed out Mayor Jacek Majchrowski. In his opinion, hosting a large sporting event will make a significant contribution to the development of the city and the region. “We are already in the fifth wave of the pandemic, so tourism has suffered a lot – and 20% of the city’s inhabitants live off tourism. Hosting the games will give them the chance to breathe again in the wake of the pandemic and help to promote the city,” he argued.
Creating the climate for investment
A city, however, cannot live on games alone. Kraków is also aiming to stimulate the local economy with a substantial programme of public investments. “The most important of these includes the construction of the KST tram line (stages III and IV, under a public-private partnership project), as well as the construction of the Trasa Łagiewnicka route with a tram line. This is to be a huge project with seven tunnels,” revealed the Mayor.
The most spectacular infrastructural investment in Kraków, however, will be the establishment of a premetro system, which is to have 32 stops along a route from Nowa Huta through the city centre to Bronowice. The investment costs for this project, which is to be carried out in three stages, will amount to approx. PLN 5.8 billion gross. The construction of the first stage, covering the central section (from ul. Piastowska to the Rondo Gen. Maczka roundabout) with a length of approx. 10.5 km, has been scheduled for 2024–2033. The cost of this phase will come to approx. PLN 2.5 billion gross.
Photo By Boguslaw Swierzowski
“For the moment, I am unable to disclose the dates for the construction of the premetro system and when the first trains will operate along it, because the documents necessary for its launch are still being prepared. However, I can reveal that talks have started with one particular investment fund that is interested in financing such public-private partnership projects. This company estimated the cost of building the premetro system at about PLN 6 billion, which is almost as much as the annual budget of Kraków,” revealed Jacek Majchrowski.
The Kraków City Planning Department (ZIMwK) has already signed a contract for the preparation of the documents necessary to obtain an environmental decision for the first stage of the premetro. An analysis that has been carried out recommends an alternative route for further study, running from Wzgórze Krzesławickie (ul. Kocmyrzowska, ul. Łowińskiego and ul. Ujastek) to the west, through Nowa Huta (al. Solidarności and al. Gen. Andersa), Bieńczyce (al. Gen. Andersa), Mistrzejowice (al. Gen. Bora Komorowskiego and ul. Dobrego Pasterza), Prądnik Czerwony (ul. Lublańska, ul. Młyńska and ul. Pilotów), Grzegórzki (ul. Olszyny, ul. Brodowicza and ul. Lubicz), the Old Town (ul. Basztowa and ul. Rajska), Czysta), Krowodrza (ul. Reymonta and ul. Armii Krajowej), Bronowice (ul. Armii Krajowej) and Prądnik Biały (ul. Jasnogórska), eventually terminating at the Stelmachów depot.
This alternative fast tram line includes entirely collision-free stretches, on the central section where it goes through a tunnel (between ul. Lublańska and ul. Reymonta), on part of the western section (between ul. Zarzecze and ul. Conrada), and on part of the eastern section (the flyover between ul. Józefa Bogusza and ul. Krzesławicka).
The city is also aiming to utilise artificial intelligence in the city’s public transport system. Last year, the first test run in Poland of an autonomous tram took place in the city – running between the National Museum stop and the terminus at Cichy Kącik. Even more interesting examples of the use of artificial intelligence include a bus line that is to operate autonomously (without a driver). According to Kraków City Hall, this service could be launched sometime this year.
The train has arrived
Before the first premetro train is commissioned, the city will be investing in the supply of new modern buses and trams, as well as in improving the transport infrastructure. The delivery of 50 modern, low-floored Lajkonik trams has recently been completed. This year will see the delivery of another 60 vehicles of this type.
“In Kraków, more than 76% of trams have a low floor and more than 60% are equipped with air conditioning. In eight years, a third of the city’s rolling stock will be made up of emission-free buses. Currently, electric buses account for approx. 14% of the fleet. The purchase of more electric vehicles, however, depends on the possibility of obtaining additional funds, e.g. from the EU and government programmes,” emphasised the Mayor of Kraków.
Photo By Boguslaw Swierzowski
“Kraków is a World Heritage Site. And while we value this status, it does limit the development possibilities in the city centre. The neighbourhoods for which the Nowe Miasto plan is being prepared are the only places where it will be possible to build skyscrapers of up to 150m or taller,” the city mayor explained.
Kraków rebuilt with glass towers
Efficient transport will certainly be indispensable if far-reaching concepts for the redevelopment of parts of the city is to be achieved. The plans that are now being drawn up include strategically important projects for the development of Nowa Huta Przyszłość and Nowe Miasto. The latter is to be developed on approx. 700 ha of the Płaszów–Rybitwy district. Kraków’s existing spatial development conditions and directions plan stipulates the functions and the maximum heights (40m) for the buildings in these districts. But an important element of the new plan is a multifunctional zone, where skyscrapers from between 90m and 150m in height are to be built. There will also be green areas – 43 such areas are to be created under this project. Following its completion, approx. 100,000 people could live in the new district.
In the Branice Science and Technology Park, the first activity aimed at establishing a plant and research centre for Bielenda Kosmetyki Naturalne has been scheduled for 2022. Commercialisation processes are already underway, covering real estate complexes previously prepared by KNHP. “This year, these activities should result in attracting two more investors to this area,” reveal representatives of Kraków city hall.
According to Jacek Majchrowski, before this project can begin, it will be necessary to transfer the enterprises operating there to another part of the city, including those involved in the processing of waste. “Talks are underway with ArcelorMittal to move these companies to new plants. Before this happens, however, it will be necessary to pass a new local plan for both areas – and time is needed for this,” admitted Mayor Majchrowski.
Kraków City Hall wants to attract new residents well as new businesses from various industries by revitalising other areas of the city. This year, the Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłość (KNHP) company intends to open another Economic Activity Zone within the Branice Science and Technology Park. This will cover more than 30 hectares (40 plots) prepared for companies in areas degraded by the activities of the former Huta im. Lenin steelworks. As a result of this undertaking and thanks to the future business investment, several thousand additional jobs are to be created in this zone.
Photo By Boguslaw Swierzowski
Investment in low-emission public transport and the reduction of pollutant emissions has been proceeding in line with Kraków’s Climate Strategy to achieve climate neutrality no later than by 2050. This involves, among other targets, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% compared to 2018’s levels by 2030 and of at least 80% by 2040.
Turning green
Even the largest investments will not improve the quality of life of residents in a city where it is difficult to even breathe. Kraków became more associated with smog than the legendary Wawel Dragon and, moreover, this is a stereotype that persists to this day. However, things have recently changed a great deal. By 2019, more than 45,000 furnaces had been removed from the city, which has led to a significant improvement in the air quality. Now the local authorities are focusing on reducing transport emissions, while also investing in the natural water retention measures.
“We have been providing targeted subsidies since 2014. In 2014–2020, we allocated PLN 6.4 million for introducing systems for the collection and use of rainwater under Kraków’s micro-retention of rainwater and meltwater scheme. Due to this subsidy, 841 such systems were created. We are also buying green areas and revitalising and maintaining parks, squares and forests, as well as creating new pocket parks in areas with less greenery. On average, the budget for urban green areas is around PLN 100–150 million per year,” added Jacek Majchrowski.
Photo By Boguslaw Swierzowski
The ‘Around a City in 8 Questions’ online meeting is devoted to informing citizens of the largest cities in Poland with their local planning policies, as related to the city’s economic development, the quality of life, development in the face of climate change, as well as formulating ways to encourage investment in the cities. “Thank you to everyone who participated in this seventh meeting of the event and so I would also like to invite you to the eighth. More details about this will be revealed soon,” said Søren Rodian Olsen, the chairman of ULI Poland.
And you? What do you see in Kraków?
“AROUND THE CITY IN 8 QUESTIONS” is a series of virtual meetings with the Mayors of the largest Polish cities. The purpose of the meetings is to present the strategy and spatial policy as well as the vision of the city’s development, and to enable an open dialogue between the city’s authorities and representatives of the real estate industry. During the meetings we discuss the plans that city authorities have to make their cities more environmentally sustainable, resilient and inclusive, but also competitive and attractive to investors and young talent.
All meetings with mayors are hosted by TOMASZ SZPYT-GRZEGÓRSKI, editor-in-chief of Property Insider.
Partners of the series are Grenberg Traurig, Mercer, ABSL, Globalworth, Skanska, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, DWF, Dentons, Echo Investment, Hines, MDDP, Vastint and 7R SA. Media Patrons are LoveKrakow, Masto.Pro, Property Insider, Property News and UrbNews. THANK YOU!
