WSE-listed investment company TUP last week presented a complete design for a residential estate to be located on a nine-hectare plot in Katowice. The design, which was produced at a five-day architectural and urban planning charrette session, may deliver some 2,000 residential units.
The plot is currently occupied by industrial buildings in accordance with the local zoning plan. At the end of last year, TUP submitted a proposal to Katowice's city authorities to alter the plan, however. "To us the area seems ideal for a residential complex and the representatives of the City Hall were of a similar opinion," said Robert Jacek Moritz, TUP president. He added that construction would probably begin at the end of this year.
The charrette session was attended by nine Polish and international architects and planners, as well as representatives of the city authorities. The participants first examined the plot and acquainted themselves with the local architectural trends and landscape to ensure the project they prepared would suit the area.
"The plot is interesting and demanding at the same time. We had to adjust our design so it corresponded with the varied terrain," said Maciej Mycielski, the lead planner and session coordinator. He also explained that future apartments would boast impressive views of green spaces and that the design had benefited from the proximity of woods. The working name for the project is Forest Hill.
A charrette workshop is an innovative urban planning approach which has been used extensively in the United States and United Kingdom. According to TUP, the approach was introduced to Poland by Mycielski and used to design the firm's environmentally friendly estate on a 120-ha plot in Siewierz and to plan reconstruction of the old Modena factory buildings in Poznań.
Subsidiary TUP Property will be in charge of the Katowice project.
Anna Kapica-Harward
