Park in Wrzeszcz

Gdańsk, Gdansk (FUA), Poland

City population: 1098379

Duration: 2020 – 2023

Implementation status: Completed

Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level

Project area: 7500 m²

Type of area: Public Greenspace Area

Last updated: November 2024

A new addition has enriched Gdańsk's green spaces: the park at Szubieniczna Mountain near the Gdańsk University of Technology. This area, located behind the cutting-edge STOS building housing the "Kraken" supercomputer, has been transformed into a vibrant urban oasis. Covering approximately 7,500 square meters and costing 3.5 million zlotys, the park introduces a sustainable and welcoming environment for students, residents, and visitors alike. The park aligns with the university's PG Climate Plan, a strategic initiative promoting environmental sustainability through research, education, and green infrastructure. Historically a neglected area with overgrown trees and bushes, it has now been revitalized to create a functional and aesthetic space that merges ecological values with public utility. Key features of the park include over 1,500 new plantings—trees, shrubs, and flowers—that enhance biodiversity and create a visually appealing landscape. Ecological innovations such as a rain garden and energy-efficient lighting reflect the park's commitment to sustainability. Recreational and educational facilities include a mini amphitheater, an outdoor gym, and walking paths interspersed with gravel squares surrounded by flower meadows. A new pathway connects the campus to Szubieniczna Hill, granting access to Gdańsk's largest water reservoir and offering stunning panoramic views. This transformation underscores how urban green spaces can address climate challenges while improving quality of life for the community. The Szubieniczna Mountain Park is not just a park—it’s a symbol of progress toward a greener future for Gdańsk. (1-2)

Park in Wrzeszcz

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Overview

Nature-based solution

Green areas for water management
Rain gardens
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change adaptation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Green space creation and/or management
Habitat and biodiversity restoration
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Water management (SDG 6)
Stormwater and rainfall management and storage
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social justice and equity
Social interaction
Environmental education

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

Environmental Degradation
Biodiversity loss
Land use and Socio-economic change
Rapid urbanization
Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
Physical health harm (from pollution, wildfire, extreme temperature)
Mental health issues (stress, anxiety)

Key priorities

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Creation of semi-natural blue areas, Implementation of green areas for water management (e.g. rain gardens), Protection of natural ecosystems, Habitat restoration, Strategy, plan or policy development, Creation of city-wide or neighborhood climate adaptation or mitigation strategies/programs

Project objectives

To provide spaces for relaxation and integration of the academic community and local residents. To enhance the quality of education by fostering curricula related to energy transformation and climate change adaptation, alongside improving university infrastructure. To improve biodiversity through the introduction of diverse plant species and ecological features. To align with the "PG Climate Plan" by advancing scientific research, education, and infrastructure that counteracts climate change. To foster inclusivity and accessibility by ensuring the park remains open to everyone, including tourists and local residents. To encourage the enjoyment of public spaces, promoting recreation and interaction in a vibrant, green environment. To manage stormwater while enhancing the park's ecological value. (1-2)

Implementation activities

In alignment with the "PG Climate Plan," the newly developed park near Gdańsk University of Technology integrates pro-ecological and energy-efficient solutions to mitigate climate change. Key features include energy-saving lighting and a rain garden that manages stormwater while enhancing the park's ecological value. The landscape is enriched with over 1,500 plantings, including diverse trees, shrubs, and flowers that promote biodiversity. Notable species include the weeping beech (Fagus sylvatica "Pendula"), purple willow (Salix purpurea "Nana"), rugose rose, creeping yew, and Virginia creeper, alongside perennials such as sugar miscanthus and brilliant rudbeckia. In the park's heart lies the rain garden and the iconic weeping beech, complementing 18 small-leaved lime trees and 300 purple willow shrubs. Designed by architect Zbigniew Reszka of Arch Deco, the park blends aesthetic beauty with functionality. Its facilities include an outdoor amphitheater-style classroom, an open gym, walking paths, and gravel squares bordered by flower meadows. These spaces serve dual purposes, supporting the university’s educational goals tied to climate change and energy transformation while providing recreational opportunities for the community. The park also strengthens local connectivity through a walking path linking the university campus to Szubieniczne Hill, a popular scenic area featuring Gdańsk's largest reservoir. (1-3)

Climate-focused activities

Climate change adaptation:

Implement sustainable urban drainage schemes to manage stormwater

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
Restore ecological connectivity
Public engagement

Main beneficiaries

Researchers/University
Citizens or community groups

Governance

Management set-up

Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

Local government/municipality
Researchers/university

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
Dissemination of information and education

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The Gdańsk University of Technology led the initiative, funding the project and aligning it with its "PG Climate Plan" to support climate change mitigation, education, and urban greening. The park was designed by architect Zbigniew Reszka from Arch Deco architectural studio. The Gdańsk city authorities, supported the project's alignment with the city’s green transformation goals, reflecting shared priorities in enhancing urban green spaces , and approved it (2,3).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown

... a national policy or strategy? Unknown

... a local policy or strategy? Yes (Climate Plan of the Gdańsk University of Technology 2022–2030 (5); The Gdańsk city authorities, supported the project's alignment with the city’s green transformation goals, reflecting shared priorities in enhancing urban green spaces (2,3).)

Type of enablers

Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)

Financing

Total cost

€500,000 - €2,000,000

Source(s) of funding

Research organisation / University

Type of funding

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

Water management and blue areas
Improved stormwater management
Expected improved stormwater management
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Expected increased green space area
Reduced biodiversity loss
Expected reduced biodiversity loss
Increased number of species present
Expected increased number of species present

Economic impacts

Unknown

Socio-cultural impacts

Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Expected gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Improved physical health
Expected improved physical health
Improved mental health
Expected improved mental health
Education
Increased support for education and scientific research
Achieved increased support for education and scientific research

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Yes

Presence of indicators used in reporting

Yes

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

Radio Gdańsk (2023). Kolejna zielona przestrzeń w mieście. Politechnika Gdańska otworzyła we Wrzeszczu nowy park. Radio Gdańsk, Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link];

Politechnika Gdańska (2023). Nowy park we Wrzeszczu od Politechniki Gdańskiej. Politechnika Gdańska, Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link];

Sztuka Krajobrazu (2023). Nowy park przy Politechnice Gdańskiej we Wrzeszczu. Sztuka Krajobrazu, Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link];

Politechnika Gdańska (n.d.). Plan klimatyczny Politechniki Gdańskiej 2022–2030. Politechnika Gdańska, Accessed on August 22, 2024, [Source link];

Municipal Office in Gdańsk (n.d.). Gdańskie dzielnice tu mieszkam tu działam WRZESZCZ GÓRNY. Gdańsk: Municipal Office in Gdańsk , Accessed on September 10, 2024, [Source link];

Park in Wrzeszcz

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