Przystań Śmidowicza 49 for community
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Przystań, a place for community - building and residents activities. Former school rebuilt for the needs of inhabitants together with a landscaped courtyard. It is run by municipal units in partnership with NGOs but its actual hosts are inhabitants. The offer meets local needs and expectations and is completely free of charge and fully available to all. Launching the place in its final shape in September 2020 gave the inhabitants of the northern districts of Gdynia access to social services.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
1. Gdynia reNew: Revitalization of Oksywie district
The aim of the project is a comprehensive revitalization of the area of the former village of Oksywie with Dickmana, Śmidowicza streets, an area of approx. 193 ha inhabited by approx. 2500 people, being individually defined as part of the Gdynia Municipal Revitalization Program. A strategy of interconnected activities aimed at limiting social exclusion of residents, increasing the sense of responsibility and involvement in local life, as well as activating residents by shaping civic attitudes.
Implementation period: July 2017 - November 2021
Project value: PLN 25 696 727,80
EU funding: PLN 17 001 805,88
Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Regional Operational Program of the Pomeranian Voivodeship for 2014–2020.
2. Gdynia reNew: Development of social services provided to the local community in Oksywie district
The aim of the project is to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Oksywie district revitalization sub-area by increasing the number of permanent places for the provision of social services by 31/12/2022. On behalf of the city of Gdynia the project is implemented by the Social Innovation Laboratory in partnership with the Gdańsk Foundation for Social Innovation and the Non-Stop Social Education Association. As part of the project, an offer of activities and support for children and adolescents as well as parents and guardians - residents of the Oksywie district from the area covered by the Municipal Revitalization Program is implemented.
Implementation period: November 2019 - December 2022
Project value: PLN 403 297,50
EU funding: PLN 342 802,87
The project is implemented in direct connection with the project entitled "Gdynia reNew: Revitalization of the Oksywie district".
Project co-financed by the European Social Fund under the Regional Operational Program of the Pomeranian Voivodeship for 2014–2020.
Description of the project
Summary
Gdynia develops the vision of Bauhaus providing new functional and open spaces for social and better life. The example is Przystań Śmidowicza 49 that operates in Gdynia district Oksywie covered by Municipal Revitalization Program 2017-2026. During consultations on the main challenges for better quality of life, social and infrastructure changes, residents emphasized the deficiency of a meeting place where they could get to know each other better. Creation of the neighbourhood centre was included in revitalization tasks – in the building of the former Crafts and Trade Schools handed over by local government - with a gym and a large, green courtyard. The assumption of Przystań - the name for Gdynia network of local community centres - is that residents create an offer by submitting topics of workshops and events that interest them, but also by running them for their neighbours. In case of Przystań Śmidowicza 49 it was assumed from the beginning that in order to take full advantage of possibilities of a large facility and the surrounding area, activities will not be limited only to the neighbourhood function. The offer of social services and support for Gdynia residents struggling with various problems is as much important. All stakeholders agreed to cooperate and it means that: Local Welfare Centre, Seniors’ Club, local NGO working with families, Gdynia municipal information point and neighbourhood centre all received necessary rooms (e.g. offices) but all other rooms (e.g. conference rooms, kitchen, gym, neighbour’s space) are widely available. Thanks to that, facility can be used by a higher number of people and the building is fully utilized. Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is a perfect place for all types of activities and projects also with external funding. Its participants are able to improve their competence, acquire new skills and use the support of specialists (e.g. psychologists, dieticians, lawyers) to improve life-quality in the neighbourhood.
Key objectives for sustainability
The purpose of the revitalization programme is to increase the social and economic activity of inhabitants from the area of the former village of Oksywie in Gdynia and minimize the gap (social, economic, infrastructure) between better developed districts in the city. As part of the project, a number of interrelated investments related to public utility facilities and the development of public spaces have been planned and implemented. Including the creation of a neighbourhood center at 49 Śmidowicza Street, within which an offer of social activities is provided. While consulting Municipal Revitalization Program, we asked the inhabitants of Oksywie what improvements they expect. Residents said that they lacked a place for community building, better integration and availability of social services. One of the goals of revitalization is to build bonds in local communities, a sense of pride of the place they live. In response municipality donated the former school building - a place where this social change can happen. Its resources already involve a number of partners who are expanding their activities locally and for social purpose.
Social activities, consultations, animation work constantly build engagement of residents in the preparation and implementation of individual activities in order to increase the sense of responsibility and involvement in local life.
The implementation of the project increased access to a wide range of social services and high-quality public space, limited local social conflicts and awakened mutual respect for different needs and attachment of residents to the newly created space.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
In order for the school building to fulfill its new functionality in the best possible way, it was necessary to develop its concept - and, consequently, to rebuild it. On the one hand, it was necessary to take into account the expectations of the residents participated in consultations, and on the other - the specificity of the work of the institutions and support organizations that were to operate at Przystań Śmidowicza 49. At the design stage, it was assumed that all stakeholders and users of the centre would use most of the spaces jointly. Thanks to this, they can serve more people, and the facility is used to the maximum functionality.
The building of Przystań Śmidowicza 49 consists of four storeys, about 3100m2 of space and almost 5500m2 of allotment. Two workshop labs were set up: sewing one and art one. Art workshop was equipped with stove for ceramics, sewing with proper equipment as well. At request of citizens furniture artisanal workshop was set up in the basement. Sport classes are organized in the big gym, exercise room and two fitness rooms. Each of these places comes with dressing rooms, magazines for sports equipment, toilets and showers. Outside area - green courtyard and chestnuts trees surrounding also received special care. In order not to destroy their roots instead of classic concrete pave walk special one was created from composite. In addition nesting box and hedgehog houses were built. The green patio court with safe surface was built along with: basket goals, mini climbing wall, playground with sandbox, slide and swing. Outdoor gym with various cross fit devices was constructed. Part of the patio is taken by a lawn where for example picnics can be organized. In community garden citizens can grow vegetables, spices and flowers together. Everything is complemented by an outdoor cinema screen. In addition, Gdynia Municipal Information Point made it much easier for residents to settle some matters, without the need to visit City Hall.
Key objectives for inclusion
Obtaining co-financing from the European Union for the revitalization of Oksywie allowed us to think about this new facility extensively to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the building. During the meetings we conducted with the residents at the consultation stage, they indicated quite precisely what functions they would expect from such a place. Przystań Śmidowicza 49, which we present today, was created in the course of long talks, many workshop meetings and the work of designers who took these recommendations into account. Such places, combining supporting and activating functions, cannot be created in isolation from the needs of users. The inhabitants are their actual hosts and everyone, without exception, must feel comfortable here - feel at home.
Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is fully adjusted for everyone. At the entrance there are ramps for people who travel by wheelchairs. Inside there is an elevator which allows access to all floors. Special surfaces were created for blind people and those with poor eyesight. Moreover rooms can be identified with the use of Braille alphabet and ahead of sanitary rooms typhlographic signs are placed. Toilets are equipped with call system for disabled people. Kitchen is also designed with a thought for people who travel by wheelchairs but for children as well – adjustable workspace, sink and stove. The ovens are specially designed - at the right height and with a retractable top.
In every room with some kind of sound system as well at the reception special inductophonic loops were installed for the comfort of people who use hearing aid.
Results in relation to category
Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is a part of the network developed in Gdynia. But it is the first that combines so many functionalities that residents can use. It is both about the integrating functions (in neighbour centre, seniors’ club or during sport activities provided by Gdynia Sport Centre Unit) and the supporting one (Gdynia Welfare Centre, child and family support facility run by NGO, mental health clinic for adolescences). It is also the only place of this type in Gdynia, where municipal units and a non-governmental organization cooperate on such a large scale.
When creating a space, special care was taken to preserve the nature around the building. The green courtyard and the chestnut trees growing from the front are carefully surrounded by special composite transition instead of the traditional pavement to preserve the roots. In addition nesting box and hedgehog houses were built.
According to "zero-waste" principle, the furniture left over from the old school was transferred to the carpentry workshop in Przystań, where neighbours will renovate it during the workshops (when pandemic limitations ends).
We work to grow positive habits of local community that responsibly use the facilities and cares for its surroundings with respect for the natural environment assets.
Oksywie is a district with variety of historical landmarks and attractive tourist areas (shore of the Baltic Sea Gdansk Bay, seaside boulevard). Its developing well, but at the same time distant from the city centre and lacking proper infrastructure. Not to mention a high number of communal and social apartments whose tenants struggle with various social problems. Creating Przystań Śmidowicza 49 was a very important step to boost the progress of revitalization activities of a social nature as it connects neighbours as well as social services support to those in need.
How Citizens benefit
Opening the modern but familiar venue as Przystań Śmidowicza 49 in the sub-area of revitalization is of great importance for the community in order to feel local pride and new possibilities. Przystań has a chance to create positive exchanges, neighbours’ co-creation.The district where Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is located is not only territorial, but "mentally" distant from the city center so by supporting local development from the inside it becomes an important place for inspiring active attitudes of the local community. We arouse the driving force in the inhabitants and they become leaders of the district.
Thanks to projects conducted in Przystań Śmidowicza 49 like: Development of Social Services in Gdynia, Social and Professional Development Programme, Innovations Incubator, UrbaLab Gdynia Programme, citizens acquire social competence, raise their qualifications, develop innovative solutions, which can be used by whole community.
For various city units and NGOs working together in Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is a great opportunity to achieve something meaningful. In order to keep this cooperation running smooth the Council of Przystań was created to discuss current topics and challenges.
Neighbourhood centre thanks to its wide offer and openness for local community has a very good reputation and popularity. People get to know each other better, they can develop their passions and share them. Equipment and the outside area gives citizens capabilities they didn’t have before. According to the animators, who help to organize local community there, the neighbourhood centre is very popular and people willingly participate in all of the activities. Working with the inhabitants of Przystań, we can observe that people involved in creating and using the space of a neighbour's centre become more interested in the matters of the entire city, actively act as originators of initiatives in the civic budget, take part in consultations, and act in district councils.
Innovative character
The approach in which the starting point for all activities is to focus on the needs of residents and their opinions is innovative. It is a process that requires more work and time, but such a dialogue with the local community translates into long-lasting effects and implementation of European values related to respect for human rights.
In Przystań Śmidowicza 49, the voice of the inhabitants is the most important.
The innovation is also Gdynia’s policy consisted in developing certain social open spaces co-created by residents. Operating in social relations based on reciprocity, various ways of exchange and strengthening of social capital add to the neighbour centre the essence. The new quality of local government work remains not just in presenting city’s pre-prepared offer but also in giving the driving wheel for creativity and action in the nearest neighborhoods. Przystań is unique and locally rooted in the district, as the local residents’ opinions are decisive.
What makes the place unique is also the multitude of institutions and organizations co-creating local community centre and jointly implementing more accessible and friendly offer. For various city units and NGOs working together in Przystań Śmidowicza 49 is a great opportunity to achieve something meaningful. In order to keep this cooperation running smooth the Council of Przystań was created to discuss current topics and challenges.
