#LANDSCAPING AND URBAN PLANNING PROJECTS
Park in Poland strengthens biodiversity and social community
The Pole Mokotowskie Park in Warsaw, Poland is currently undergoing a major transformation. The designers at WXCA proposed detailed landscaping designs to make the park a flourishing environment that supports the coexistence of plants, animals and humans.
The park is nestled into Warsaw’s urban fabric and is easily accessible using public transportation facilities. Its proximity to spaces like the University of Technology, National Library and Mermaid Stadium makes it an outdoor space used by a wide range of people.
Meanwhile, the two main objectives of WXCA’s design were to improve the symbiosis of the park’s urban and natural environments and to increase the circular processes involved in the park’s sustenance. Since the park is a constantly evolving natural space and used by human and non-human organisms alike, it is centered on the concept of biocenosis. This is when various organisms form a closely-knit community that thrives together. This biocenotic landscape is crucial to the park’s success, as there is an equal focus on humans, flora and fauna.
To strengthen the park’s biodiversity, one of the key interventions is restructuring the park’s waterbodies. To make the landscape more natural, one of the primary initiatives has been de-concreting. In the past year, contractors have removed 13,000 square meters of concrete and are currently in the process of de-concreting smaller bodies of water within the main pond area. In doing so, the pond will form a new, naturally-formed shape that is attuned to the vegetation in the area. Through the new waterbody system, designers will create thriving water-based ecosystems within the park. It will be a hub for wildlife and will contribute substantially to the park’s microclimate.
The expanded water system will also feature the main reservoir, canals, rain gardens and wet meadows. Alongside the pond, these elements will also assist with retaining, filtering and vaporizing rainwater. This way extreme temperatures will be mitigated within the park and the air quality will improve and increase in humidity.
Other natural interventions will include permaculture gardens and various “Pavilions of the Elements.” For example, the Air Pavilion will feature balloons and indicate the city’s current air quality. Meanwhile, the Water Pavilion is to be constructed on the island in the main pond. Its glass-bowl roof will be used for rainwater harvesting and will showcase various water features.
One of the large-scale social spaces will be the Grand Salon, which will feature a large meadow encircled by trees. It will be a venue for large social gatherings and events. Another important space will be the Land-Art Gallery. This will feature large-scale landscape-art displays, which will even be visible using satellite imagery.
Through WXCA’s initiatives to increase biodiversity and social gathering, the park becomes an environment that is geared towards all living organisms that inhabit it. The space also becomes an attractive and conducive venue for different activities throughout the year.
