On October 13-14, 2021, the second workshop on the protection of River Parks took place in Krakow. The event was part of the Clearing House project and was prepared by the Sendzimir Foundation in cooperation with the project partner, the Kraków Municipal Greenspace Authority.
The meeting focused on the Drwinka River Park, as an example of an area of special environmental and social value for Krakow. This area provides important ecosystem services to the city, but it is under threat from potential investment and requires active protection.
Field trip to the Drwinka river valley – dr Przemysław Szwałko talks about the Krakow Municipality Greenspace Authority activities related to River Parks
The workshop was attended by representatives of several different local government units, central state institutions, social organizations and academic institutions. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information on the on-going activities that affect river parks, propose new ones, find synergies between them and select key issues that should be implemented and strengthened.
Drwinka River Park – experienced and discussed
On the first day, we took part in a field trip to the Drwinka River Park. Experts spoke about issues related to natural values of the park, its hydrological aspects as well as activities and social actions related to the area.
Proffesor Mirosław Żelazny talks about hydrological measurements
The second day was devoted to brainstorming about directions for future action. In the first part of the meeting, we listened to two lectures given by foreign partners in the Clearing House project: on the experiences in developing urban forests in Leipzig and on planning and managing green areas in the Barcelona Metropolis. Interactive co-design workshop followed the lectures. The participants were divided into three groups and discussed the following areas using the World Café method:
- environment, water, protection of biodiversity and ecosystem continuity;
- financial aspects, management methods, spatial planning;
- social issues, environmental awareness, quality of life.
Worshop participants discussing protection of the Drwinka River Park
Protection of Drwinka and other River Parks – key objectives
As a result of the workshop, the participants selected 3 main groups of goals which, in their opinion should be prioritised and are worth supporting through the Clearing House project:
- Securing the protection of river parks in the currently prepared Conditions and Directions of Spatial Development Study for the City of Krakow (pol. SUiKZP), through i.a. the introduction of a “River Park” definition and a list of necessary prohibitions into the Study.
- Working out formal and legal issues related to the area of the Drwinka River Park, including: water permits, land ownership, coastline.
- Preparation of educational materials on the value and the need to protect River Parks, particularly the Drwinka Park; including the preparation of a special walking guide.
A full description of the course and effects of the workshop can be found in the Workshop Report.
Workshop participants voting on the priority goals for Drwinka River Park protection
