The greening of the Market Square, which has been agreed upon with the Lower Silesian Provincial Conservator of Monuments, involves not only new planting of trees and other plants, but also the preparation of the ground, improvement of habitat conditions and partial reconstruction of the Market Square surface. This will certainly be one of the most important developments in the very centre of the city, in which the preservation of cultural heritage comes together with a response to climate challenges.
Jacek Sutryk, Mayor of Wroclaw: ‘The Market Square is the heart of the city and one of the most important public spaces in Wroclaw. We want to make it a more friendly place for everyday use, especially in hot weather, while retaining its representative and historic character.
Therefore, before putting out a tender for the new planting and unsealing of the stone surfaces in the Market Square, the city decided in consultation with the conservation officer which tree species would be suitable for the historic buildings and how their planting should be arranged. The designed greenery has, therefore, been adapted to the existing spatial layout and the intensive use of the square.’
The investment has been divided into stages, because apart from the enrichment of the Market Square itself with plants, which constitutes Stage 1, the project also includes similar activities on Świdnicka Street.
There are also plans to plant new trees on Wroclaw's main walking promenade in the sections between the Market Square and Kazimierza Wielkiego and between Kazimierza Wielkiego and Modrzejewska Streets (stages II and III).
Stage 1: 75 new trees on the Market Square
The first stage of the project only covers the Market Square surface. The contractor, who has already started the systemic demolition of parts of the paved surface, will prepare tree stands, rebuild sections of the pavement and introduce landscaping and lower greenery.
Within the scope of this stage:
Three bosquets (raised beds) with a total of 27 acacia robins of the Unifoliola variety will be created at the monument to Aleksander Fredro;
23 elm trees of the New Horizon variety will be planted along the perimeter of the Market Square;
at the New Town Hall and at the entrance to the Cloth Hall (Pigeon Square), the existing trees will be replaced with 25 field maple trees of the Huibers Elegant variety.
The accomplishment of the first stage will consume around PLN 3.4 million. The completion of work is planned by mid-year, with the aim of finishing it in time for the St John's Fair.
After Market Square comes Świdnicka Street
Even before the completion of the first stage of the greening of the Market Square, the city plans to launch a procedure for the second stage of the investment, which should be completed this year. It will cover the northern section of Świdnicka Street between the Market Square and Kazimierza Wielkiego Street.
The planting of 19 elm and 15 field maple trees forming an orderly, avenue-like green layout is planned here.
Stage 3 of the investment will cover the southern section of Świdnicka Street to Modrzejewskiej Street. Its implementation was planned after the completion of the building on the site of the former Solpol. Several new trees will be planted there.
Jacek Mól, Director of the City Green Administration: ‘This is an example of an investment where we have to reconcile the protection of historical monuments, the needs of the city and natural knowledge. We introduce greenery where conditions are extremely difficult, but these are the places that need it most.’
More than 2,600 different plants in the city centre
A total of 121 trees and more than 2,500 shrubs and perennials will appear in the centre of Wroclaw under three stages of the project. The new plantings, together with partial unsealing of the pavement and an automatic watering system, are expected to improve water retention and the microclimate in one of the most heated parts of the city.
Investment in a difficult location
As the greening work is taking place in a space that is vibrant and hosts numerous events on a daily basis, its performance requires constant adaptation to the current situation in the Market Square.
Jacek Mól: ‘The scope of the works is not technically complex, but the big challenge is to co-ordinate them with the calendar of events in the Market Square. Almost every week there is something happening here. The contractor is prepared to be flexible, but we have to reckon with the fact that certain events may affect the work schedule.
The cost of greening the Market Square and Świdnicka Street is around PLN 5 million. Residents will see the first results of the changes by the middle of the year, while the full effect will be seen in the following growing seasons.
