REGIONAL INFORMATION:
Pomorskie / Poland

Description of project

The path has been deserted and forgotten by local community for many years. Now after revitalization the life came back to the place. Thanks to creative illumination the Urban Tree Path exposes attractiveness of the natural environment and the design of the new elements of small architecture. Due to some historical research, it has been found out that the path has a long and interesting history. The historical name of the path was Eliza Brook not Haffner Stream which is the name used nowadays. As the renovation has been completed, it was decided to bring back the old name to the place. The cost of the pilot project in total was over EUR 180.000.

Transnational added value

A key output of the project reflecting its transnational value is the Methodology Action Plan. Partners from different countries worked together to create a common and available working paper that can be help or may inspire one to create more attractive public spaces.

Sustainability of the investment

The Urban Tree Path in Sopot was a concept of creating public spaces through exposing the attractiveness of the natural environment of the city. One of the aims of this project was to protect the semi natural environment located in the city centre. All the work related to the implementation of the pilot project was conducted with respect and care for the natural environment.

Impacts and leverage effect

The project feedback from the residents of Sopot is highly satisfying – such as this letter: “I am the inhabitant of Sopot and I see how year after year our city is changing. I have just walked down the new path admiring the lovely benches, lightning, barriers, all renewed and beautiful”. The Urban Tree Path is one of the first steps in creating a new image of public spaces in Sopot. After the revitalization of Eliza Brook was completed there were several other investments held. It’s noticeable that they refer to the design of Eliza Brook.

BEFORE THE PROJECT:

AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF "UBRAN TREE PROJECT":

Duration of Pilot Action in Tczew: September 2011 to June 2012

Main activities in this area:

• Consultations with stakeholders,
• Gathering materials,
• Market recognition,
• Preparation of tender.

The preparatory work took place mainly through emails, phone calls and direct meetings. Preparatory work focused on:

1. Installation of the cycle counter (+reasoning where it should be installed in order to achieve the best results)
2. Building of a different type of cycle parking facilities
   1. Bicycle stands (how should it look like, where it should be installed?)
   2. Indoor cycle parking installation (how should it look like, where it should be installed?)
3. After conducting market research and inquiries, it was decided to choose the best offer in terms of price. The supplier was the company AMR ECO from Krakow. An induction loop has been installed on the bike path on the Pomeranian street. Close to the railway station and transport hub.
4. The next step was a meeting with representatives of the cyclists, schools and authorities to detail what kind of cycle parking facilities we need and where we need to provide it. It was decided that we need to provide bicycle stands mostly near schools and the secure cycle parking facilities in or close to the public building, cultural or civic life building.

Tender for the supply and installation 20 secure anti-theft indoor cycle parking facilities and supply and installation of 80 bicycle racks throughout the Municipality was settled in July 2012. The tender has been won by Bart Service Bojarscy. During the preparatory work numerous internal discussions and meetings was conducted as well as consultations with representatives of cyclists and residents.

Implementation

• Installation of the cycle counter with the zelt loop and eco-vision tool:

At the beginning of the second quarter of 2012 Tczew started project activities related to investments. The first step was the purchase of an induction loop and display module. After conducting market research and inquiries, it was decided to choose the best offer in terms of price. The supplier was the company AMR ECO from Krakow. An induction loop has been installed on the bike path on the Pomeranian street. Close to the railway station and transport hub. The contract for the supply the loop was signed on 16.05.2012 and it has been installed and accepted on 26.06.2012.
Cost : EUR 4.923,75

• An induction loop has the task of counting the passing cyclists on the road bike.

This information is available to anyone who visits the site http://tczew.visio-tools.com/, thanks to a special module that allows to display data from the measurement. Tczew is the first city in Poland which offers access to online information, which you can find out how many people have benefited from the path at Pomeranian street. The contract for the supply the module was signed on 10.08.2012 and it has been provided on 20.08.2012.
Cost : 4 923,75 Euro

• Cycling parking

Tczew started to prepare the materials needed to carry out the tender for cycle parking facilities, which was a key task in the project in 2012. Tender for the supply and installation 20 secure anti-theft indoor cycle parking facilities and supply and installation of 80 bicycle racks throughout the Municipality was settled in July 2012. The contract was signed on 23.07.2012 and the task has been made and confirmed with the delivery reception on 11.10.2012. Locations of all the stands were discussed during meetings with representatives of the cyclist. Because Tczew has a lack of simple cycle parking stands mostly near schools, office buildings and near the main public transport hub it was decided that most of the racks should find themselves in above mentioned places. The specific locations are 20 secure indoor cycle parking facilities and additional 5 spaces at the Town Hall of Tczew.
Cost : approx. EUR 24.000,00