More information
Description
The aim of the project is to create a space for discussion and collaborative design of the appearance and offer of a new city centre that is currently being planned on the site of the former Sugar Factory, while maintaining the character of the place and with care for the environment. The Sugar Factory, located near the military unit, has been the most important employer in the city for a long time. Currently, it is one of the most recognisable and iconic places in Pruszcz Gdański, that shapes the identity of the city and its residents. It is also a key urban space, covering 19 hectares in the city centre, at two of the most important streets. The land development of the Factory area will affect the functionality and character of the whole city. In June 2021, after 15 years of efforts, Krajowa Spółka Cukrowa S.A. concluded an agreement with the NDI Group – a group of investment companies from Gdańsk. Currently, a new municipal spatial management plan is being developed, which is required by law. As part of the project we will monitor the process of creating the plan, engage city residents and local NGOs in this process, as well as provide ongoing information about the activities of the city and the NDI Group. We will conduct educational activities: meetings, webinars, production of a brochure. In our monitoring activities an urban planner, a lawyer, and a sociologist will take part and observe the course of the procedure. We will carry out an information campaign to provide ongoing information, including information about the possibilities of participating in the planning procedure.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to create a space for discussion and co-creation of the appearance and functioning of the new center of Pruszcz Gdański - the space of the former sugar factory, in order to preserve the character of the city and protect the environment.
The sugar factory, next to the military unit, was for a long time the most important employer in Pruszcz Gdański. Currently, it is one of the most recognizable and iconic places in Pruszcz, creating the identity of the place and its inhabitants. It is also a key space - 19 hectares located in the city center, on the 2 most important streets. The development of the area will affect the functionality and character of the city.
In June 2021, after 15 years of attempts, Polska Spółka Cukrowa concluded an agreement with the developer NDI Development. During the project implementation, work was underway to change the applicable local development plan.
Our activities were aimed at monitoring the process of changing the local development plan, providing current information on the activities of the city and the developer, and involving residents and social organizations in the process of changing the local development plan.
Activities carried out: educational activities (9 meetings/webinars, recordings of online meetings, presentations from some of the meetings, brochure), monitoring (preparation of applications, analysis of applications, 2 petitions, 6 applications for access to public information, comments on local legal acts) activities of an urban planner checking the course of the procedure) and an information campaign (current information, information on the possibility of participating in the planning procedure - 1 information campaign - project subpage, FB profile, press announcement, posters, leaflets, press conference) and activities related to project management.
Thanks to the project, the procedure for changing the local plan was publicized, a number of documents and information were made available, and residents were equipped with new knowledge and skills in the field of spatial planning and social consultations. The awareness of the possibility of influencing spatial policy and the willingness to participate in consultations and activities for the city increased (the results of the evaluation study are described in the Results section).
The activities were mainly used by residents and representatives of social organizations, and representatives of the City Hall, the Investor and the City Council were also present.
The challenge was/is the investor''s resistance, despite the declared willingness to cooperate, and the relatively small representation of local media in the city.
We managed to reach a wide group of residents with information about changes in the sugar factory, and we managed to mobilize a group of residents to take further actions and monitor them. Activities continue despite the formal end of the project. This strong representation may actively co-create local spatial policy in the future. The awareness of government and office representatives of the need to involve residents in participatory processes and the awareness of monitoring planning and investment activities by residents and social organizations is growing.
We provided residents with knowledge in the field of spatial planning. We provided information on the activities of the city authorities and the investor. We provided the city authorities with information regarding the needs and demands of the residents.
There were: 3 educational walks, 5 webinars, a stationary meeting, a conference. 184 new participants using new forms of support: residents of Pruszcz Gd., representatives of social organizations. and the City Council. Recordings and presentations from webinars are available. Thanks to the activities, the knowledge and awareness of residents - project participants - increased. An evaluation study of project participants showed that 93% of respondents indicated that their knowledge of public consultations. increased; 91% in the field of spatial planning.
An information campaign was carried out: press conference, posters, leaflets, Facebook posts, press announcements, brochure. The leaflet was sent to all households in Pruszcz Gdańsk. Reach of posts and paid promotion on FB - up to 7,000.
Two studies were prepared: applications for the draft amendment to the local spatial development plan, analysis of applications submitted to the local spatial development plan. Two petitions were submitted to the Mayor of Pruszcz Gd. (conducting public consultations on the expansion of Chopina Street, the local spatial development plan). Comments were submitted on the Monument Protection Program. 6 applications for access to public information were submitted. above studies and applications were sent to public institutions, but their content and responses were made available on all association communication channels. Therefore, they reached interested people and recipients of the information campaign, providing knowledge about the process of spatial planning and changes in the sugar factory area, and contributing to an increase in the awareness of the residents'' impact on the future of the city (in an evaluation study of project participants, 88% of respondents indicated that thanks to participation in project meetings they had greater influence on city affairs).
In addition to the residents, a total of 10 social organizations and 5 volunteers were involved in the activities.