Last updated: October 2021
The project revitalized two old ponds – previous industrial and derelict area – and created two new ponds on the Marczukowska street in the city of Bialystok. The investment in its current shape is a tourist attraction and a valuable ecosystem for birds and amphibians. The project resulted in the increase of biodiversity in the area (additional ponds for the breeding of amphibians, two nesting islands not accessible to the public), and more effective management of the local water resources (cleaning and deepening of ponds, restoring an outflow for the excess water directly to the Biała river). Finally, it is a popular place with publicly open educational trails and bicycle paths [2,3,4].
ponds in Białystok
Sources: https://bialystok.naszemiasto.pl/stawy-marczukowskie-po-rewitalizacji-wyspy-legowe-mostki-i/ga/c4-3942580/zd/23061470
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
- Blue infrastructure
- Lakes/ponds
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Improvements to water quality
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Conversion of former industrial areas
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
1) Creating a tourist and leisure attraction in the city;
2) Opening an ornithological tower;
3) Creating an educational trail;
4) Clearing the previous derelict area and creating conditions for the local ecosystem to flourish [4].
Implementation activities
- Revitalization of the two existing ponds [4];
- Ponds were cleaned, elutriated and deepened [3];
- Building two additional ponds for the breeding of amphibians [2];
- Reconstruction of the causeway destroyed by local beavers. Creating winter breeding and the island for waterbirds in the area [4];
- Creating two nesting islands, covered with native vegetation [3];
- Designating a protected area (not accessible for the public) [3];
- Cleaning and drying of the pheasant below the bridge at Marczukowska Street, which will allow the outflow of the excess waters to the Biała river [2];
- Building new paths, an ornithological tower, an observation deck and a gazebo [4];
- Constructing benches, bins and bicycle racks. Creating a separate barbecue area [4].
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Government-led
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The local government developed the project plan and implemented it.
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€100,000 - €500,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased number of protection areas
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Increased number of species present
- Improved prevention or control of invasive alien species
- Restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
1. Source link, (2015) 'Bialystok: revitalization of ponds at Marczukowska Street begins' ('Białystok: rusza rewitalizacja stawów przy ul. Marczukowskiej'), Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
2. Source link, (2016), 'Ponds after regeneration. Breeding islands, bridges and bird tower' ('Stawy Marczukowskie po rewitalizacji. Wyspy lęgowe, mostki i ptasia wieża'), Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
3.Source link, (2015) 'Bialystok. See what will change in the city in 2015' ('Białystok. Zobacz co się zmieni w mieście w 2015 roku'), Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
4. Source link, (2015) 'Marczukowska Street. Ponds will gain a new look' ('Ul. Marczukowska. Stawy zyskają nowy wygląd'),
Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
5. Obiektyw Source link. (2020). Stawy Marczukowskie w Białymstoku - atrakcyjne miejsce do rekreacji i wypoczynku (Marczukowskie Ponds in Białystok - an attractive place for recreation and rest). YouTube video. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 07 September 2020).
2. Source link, (2016), 'Ponds after regeneration. Breeding islands, bridges and bird tower' ('Stawy Marczukowskie po rewitalizacji. Wyspy lęgowe, mostki i ptasia wieża'), Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
3.Source link, (2015) 'Bialystok. See what will change in the city in 2015' ('Białystok. Zobacz co się zmieni w mieście w 2015 roku'), Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
4. Source link, (2015) 'Marczukowska Street. Ponds will gain a new look' ('Ul. Marczukowska. Stawy zyskają nowy wygląd'),
Source link (Accessed: 02 September 2020).
5. Obiektyw Source link. (2020). Stawy Marczukowskie w Białymstoku - atrakcyjne miejsce do rekreacji i wypoczynku (Marczukowskie Ponds in Białystok - an attractive place for recreation and rest). YouTube video. Available at: Source link (Accessed: 07 September 2020).
ponds in Białystok
Source: https://bialystok.naszemiasto.pl/stawy-marczukowskie-po-rewitalizacji-wyspy-legowe-mostki-i/ga/c4-3942580/zd/23075842
ponds in Białystok
Source: https://podlaskie24.pl/artykul/wydarzenia/stawy-marczukowskie-w-bialymstoku-atrakcyjne-miejsce-do-rekreacji-i-wypoczynku/