Rewitalizacja osiedla pomiędzy ulicami Opata Hackiego i Ludwika Zamenhofa w Gdyni

Project Description

The project entitled: „Gdynia Anew: Revitalisation of the Zamenhofa-Opata Hackiego area combines four extensive and interrelated initiatives, whose aim is the reduction of social exclusion of the residential housing estate residents, increased levels of responsibility and involvement in the life of the community as well as mobilisation of residents through development of appropriate attitudes It is a supporting project for another one, that is run concurrently, whose aim is the development of social services for the local community.

The revitalisation is backed by social activities. These include „Masters’ Street” performances held by one of Gdynia’s non-governmental organisations.

New space for residents

The residents of the housing estate can already enjoy the benefits of the first phase of the proposed investment. New pavements laid alongside newly constructed roads, benches, seats for the elderly, bicycle stands, rubbish bins and elements of urban greenery – all have become components of the estate’s landscape.  The new space was adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. Kerbs with low curved edging were constructed, directional tactile pavers were installed on sidewalks, and at intersections information boards were provided to assist visually impaired pedestrians – with a dual system of the raised embossed alphabet letters as well as the corresponding Braille alphabet letters. In April 2018 the construction was completed and in August 2018 the new infrastructure was delivered to the residents.

Shortly before phase one completion of the project, a Contractor for the next phase was selected: the development of the area surrounding the apartment blocks of the residential housing estate. The „desert”, as the residents used to refer to the empty space visible from their apartment windows, will be replaced with demarcated recreation zones, playgrounds and outdoor fitness areas as well as street furniture elements. There will be a variety of rest places on seats, folding chairs or simply on the grass, located among greenery, codes, and esperanto riddles. Residents will also gain a direct access to their apartment blocks along with parking spaces and new pavements.

But that’s not all

The housing estate will receive facilities with which the work for the support and activation of the local community started years ago will be continued. There will be a Neighbours Centre opened in the library building at 33 Opata Hackiego Street. Following alterations and renovations and equipped using the project resources, the building will be able to accomodate a variety of initiatives, aimed at the estate residents.

EU co-financing was also used to support three housing communities, which have been selected to be the Partners of the Municipality in the project. Renovations that were carried out in the hallways and stairwells, roof repairs and waterproofing – these are all the effects of participation in the process of revitalisation.

One big construction site

The Zamenhofa-Opata Hackiego residential housing estate is one big construction site. At this difficult time, the support for the residents is provided by a designated employee of the Social Innovations Laboratory in Gdynia. While remaining in constant contact with them, he provides them with updates on the progress of the proposed initiatives and how the project work that is being carried out might cause inconveniences in everyday life. It is him to whom problems or postulates can be presented during weekly shifts. He is also a liaison officer between the investor and the end-users of the investment initiatives.

And now some figures

The revitalisation is conducted on an area of approximately 10.3 ha.  It covers approximately 2040 residents of the housing estate.

Currently, while the project is still underway, the residents are already benefiting from the new illuminated sidewalks alongside: Komierowskiego, Opata Hackiego and Chylońska Streets with the combined lenght of nearly 1800 m. They can park their cars in 36 parking spaces arranged along the streets, 4 of those are set apart for disabled persons, and they can make use of the 17 benches and seats installed in the area as part of the project.

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