Kościuszki Square has a strong setting. It is surrounded by characteristic heritage buildings, including spaces that house some of Wrocław’s emblematic art galleries, cafés and a historic department store that now contains offices and a shopping centre.
Yet the square itself has a different role. Traffic dominates the space, while some of its green areas remain unused. This creates a familiar placemaking challenge: the surrounding ingredients are there, but the public space does not yet bring them together.
Change within real constraints
Kościuszki Square cannot be transformed through a simple redesign, since its heritage status places limits on what can be changed physically. The square also involves a number of stakeholders, some with different interests.
There is, however, a clear local interest in making the square more active. Nearby art galleries and café owners see potential in turning it into a livelier place in the centre of Wrocław.
How can Kościuszki Square become a more active, welcoming and cared-for public space in the city center through a gradual process of temporary interventions, stakeholder involvement and long-term learning?
Learning through action
The workshop will be moderated by Melany van Twuijver and Martine de Laat from the City of Rotterdam. Melany is Strategic Advisor for Architecture Policy at the municipality and a board member of Placemaking Europe.
They will be joined by Małgorzata Golak, Director of the Economic Development Office of the City of Wrocław; Edyta Pawlaczek, Senior Specialist at the city’s Entrepreneurship Support Section; and Mika Drozdowska, Chief of BWA SIC.
Their combined perspectives bring together city development, economic development, stakeholder work and the cultural activity already present around the square.
The focus on temporary interventions is important. When permanent physical change is difficult, smaller actions can help test how people respond to different uses. They can also create a way for stakeholders to work together, learn what works and build confidence before larger decisions are made.
A process built through testing and learning
The challenge is about more than finding a new design for Kościuszki Square. We ask how a place can change over time when heritage, traffic, ownership, existing activity and stakeholder interests all shape what is possible.
A gradual process can create space for testing. Stakeholder involvement can bring different interests into the same conversation, and long-term learning can help turn individual interventions into a clearer direction for the place.
Local Challenge 4 takes place on Friday, September 25, from 14:30 to 17:30.
