The urbanism of the area covered by the competition is characterized by a matrix of circles shaping the iconic Solidarity Square. Here, daily life unfolds, and cyclical commemorations of historical events take place. The crosses form a connection between local urban spaces – they are clearly visible in the district, providing orientation and defining the area of Solidarity Square. The urban design of Solidarity Square aims to organize the surroundings according to rules that artistically shaped the monument concept, of which the square's architecture is an integral part. The circles on the square represent the "symbol of solidarity ideas spreading worldwide."
The planned residential development refers to the former predominant frontage buildings next to the shipyard. The project involves breaking down the development and complementing quasi-blocks with residential buildings with ground-floor services. Similar to the communal spaces carved out from the square, the new development has its courtyards and spaces that can extend the functions located on the ground floor. The diverse functions of the buildings offer the possibility of creating squares of various ranks and significance - representative, cultural, and neighborhood squares.
Green paths, enhanced with vegetation, run along the urban network, offering the opportunity to move to and from the Monument Zone in the shade of trees. The same idea is repeated with the green path from the Doki investment to Górka Gradowa, providing a stopping point along the way. The location of blue infrastructure is proposed as a continuation of rain gardens implemented in the Doki investment, addressing rainwater runoff issues near existing garages on Gazownicza Street. Retention basins also serve as a dividing feature between the public neighborhood square and the community area.
The analysis identified the needs of different user groups. Tourists need good access to information, transportation, and places to rest during travel and sightseeing. Residents of Młode Miasto expect access to greenery and recreational areas on Gradowe Hill. The residential community needs space for recreation near the home, ensuring privacy, access to services, and parking spaces. Meanwhile, the general public uses the Square as a place to commemorate the history of Solidarity, as a location for public gatherings, and for historical education.
The square around the monument is organized in a graphic motif of a circle, an artistic intention consistent with the Monument's authors. The square is closed to traffic. The area around the monument will be a protected zone with a ban on placing small architecture elements that could disrupt the monumental arrangement of the pavement, crosses, and sculptural elements. Seating elements along the retaining wall allow for observing anniversary ceremonies in the shade of trees within the buffer zone.
Solidarity Square retains its circular shape and the composition of radiating circles. The monument's base is an integral part of the sculptural monument and artistic concept and will be restored to the planned state. It is assumed to eliminate the fillings between the gaps in the plates and highlight these cracks with linear lighting embedded in the gaps between the cracked concrete plates. The fifth circle of the square (counting from the monument) has a leveled pavement adapted to pedestrian traffic, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
2nd place
urbanism _ urban planning and architectural competition for the revitalization of solidarity square in gdańsk, along with
guidelines for shaping its immediate surroundings
location _ gdańsk, poland
organizer _ municipality of the city of gdańsk
competition type _ idea
cooperation _ alicja maculewicz, jan matusewicz
project _ 2023
gdańsk // solidarity square
