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Description
While observing the actions of local governments, including one in Bydgoszcz, taken to manage the green spaces, we have diagnosed two main problems: the current procedures and policies do not protect the public green spaces in urban areas and the existing tools for green spaces management are not conducive to public’s engagement. Reports from the Supreme Audit Office published in 2015 and 2019 confirm that reality for our town as well.We will investigate the current green spaces management policies in Bydgoszcz to diagnose the specific problems. We will take into consideration both current laws and standards, as well as the question of including and engaging local citizens in the decision-making process. As part of our working visit to Oslo, Norway, we will learn what tools and solutions are employed by their citizens. We will also use the Community of Practice method – a practice of social learning through work done by the stakeholders to solve a problem. We will invite representatives of the community, the City Hall, homeowner associations and developers to participate. The group will design and implement solutions for the city of Bydgoszcz – town’s green spaces standards, an app designed to help with green spaces management, and additional tools for activating local community and stakeholders. The engagement will take form of a collaboration between the community members, NGOs, homeowner associations, local entrepreneurs, kindergartens and schools, and the City Hall for the improvement of the city’s green spaces, on projects like refurbishing lawns, or creating a communal garden.The city of Bydgoszcz and the city of Oslo will be our project partners. Bydgoszcz will support our initiatives and Oslo will share its experience and knowledge on engaging citizens.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to the problem of growing conflicts over shrinking urban green public space in Bydgoszcz (a city of over 300,000 inhabitants in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship), its insufficient protection and the lack of effective tools for cooperation and citizen involvement in decisions about the shape of urban green space.
The following activities were carried out as part of the project:
1. diagnosis of the greenery management system in Bydgoszcz
The diagnosis of the greenery management system in Bydgoszcz, summarised in the form of a report, identified the main problems and challenges related to vegetation and trees in the city, as well as to the social aspects of the functioning of greenery, including a) the low rank and invisibility of greenery in the city, b) the low level of information flow and cooperation between urban units whose activities concern greenery and between community organisations and residents, c) lack of cooperation between community organisations, residents and institutions responsible for greenery in the city and d) low awareness of the role of greenery in the city
2. work on tools to support greenery management in Bydgoszcz
We held 10 workshop meetings of a group - the Greenery Team, working on the basis of the Community of Practice methodology. Of the 53 people who were appointed to the Greenery Team, 40 people regularly attended the meetings (each of them in a minimum of 4 meetings).
The aim of the group''s work was primarily to develop two products related to greenery management: the Bydgoszcz Greenery Standards (local guidelines for shaping greenery) and assumptions for an IT application to support greenery management.
3 Green interventions
We also carried out 4 green interventions physically changing the green fabric of the city with the involvement of a wider range of city residents - including planting in urban spaces.
4 Evaluation
We conducted an ongoing internal evaluation of the activities carried out in the project - both in the project team with the partner - the Bydgoszcz City Hall - and during meetings of the Green Team.
We have established a Green Team, a group with a strong sense of ownership of urban greenery and the results developed in the project.
Another result of the project was an IT application to support the management of urban greenery, tailored to the needs and expectations of both those responsible for greenery management from the level of municipal institutions and the needs of the public.
The evaluation, conducted among members of the Green Team, shows that they gained new knowledge and competences in the area of urban greenery management and protection. Most commonly, people indicated learning and understanding the complexity of the greenery management system, procedures and responsibilities, and specialist knowledge. The many months of work had equipped them to become convinced of the importance of the green system in the city.
The project activities also set in motion the potential for cooperation for the benefit of urban greenery both between different city units and between city institutions and social organisations or residents.
Summary of bilateral results
Cooperation with a partner from the donor countries was from the beginning planned as an exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of project activities. Our partner was the City of Oslo, and from the beginning we planned a study visit in order to see the specific system solutions in use there or specific tools for action. The knowledge we gained during the study visit was an inspiration for us to further discuss and develop solutions in the project in Poland. However, due to the fact that we have a different legal system and the willingness of self-governments in Poland to implement solutions that are not always obvious and easy to apply varies, it has not been possible to directly implement Norwegian solutions into project activities. They have served us as good practices, a point of inspiration in discussions and work on solutions. It is difficult to point to mutual results in this case. Definitely, the Polish side of the cooperation has benefited more from gaining specific knowledge, meeting with representatives, servants of another local government which faces similar challenges. No further joint activities are planned, although we found several areas for further mutual learning and cooperation.