Krakow establishes a climate quarter

It will follow the 15-minute city model

Krakow has just announced its readiness to start off a ground-breaking environmental urban project called the Climate Quarter. The space delimited by Dietla, Grzegórzecka, Aleja Daszyńskiego streets and the Vistula River will not only adopt the 15-minute city model but will do so under the influence of its residents and respecting their needs.

Preventing the heat-island effect in Krakow

Krakow has just unveiled its intentions to create a climate-proof city area, which meets the most important needs of its residents. A residential quarter that prevents the necessity to travel more than 15 minutes to get the most essential goods and services, and therefore reduces the amount of carbon emissions related to transport – the key to averting the so-called heat-island effect. The latter is getting more common in urbanised areas where temperatures are higher, due to the high concentration of buildings and infrastructure that re-emits heat, instead of absorbing it.

The ambitious urban project is part of Krakow's long-term activities related to counteracting the climate crisis and demonstrates the need for an area-based and comprehensive approach to the problem, as authorities explained. According to the city website, the main tasks of the Climate Quarter include:

• The restoration of the residential character of Józefa Dietla Street
• a changed role of Krakowska Street after renovation
• the revitalization of Wolnica Square
• creating streets of gardens
• the reconstruction and revitalization of Nowy Square
• the reconstruction and revitalization of Starowiślna Street
• the creation of a Railway park and bicycle highway
• the creation of a green Grzegórzecki square.

To accomplish all this, the city will conduct various activities in the field of mobility, quality of public space, greenery and revitalization. An important aspect of the implementation will be the involvement of citizens and the active cooperation of all parties.

Thus, the project will unfold in stages between 2021 and 2023, starting with the identification of the needs of residents, entrepreneurs, collection of data and social research, through the determination of climate objectives, and reconstruction.