OPPORTUNITY STUDY FOR UPGRADING THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF THE OLIWA AND OSOWA DISTRICTS IN GDAŃSK

The conceptual design for upgrading the transport system of the Osowa - Oliwa districts assumes three main goals:
• upgrading the transport system of the districts and minimising strains connected with through traffic;
• upgrading safety for pedestrians;
• protection and upgrading of residential and tourist qualities of both districts.

The above actions have an absolute impact on the course of the renewal process of Stara Oliwa and Jelitkowo – districts entered in the Renewal Area of the City of Gdańsk. The area of Stara Oliwa is among the most attractive areas of Gdańsk for tourists. It is a district of Gdańsk, which in connection with Jelitkowo, makes up a recognised resort, especially in terms of its scenery-related qualities. Osowa, on the other hand, is the oldest residential district of the Upper Terrace. Even today this district requires some renewal to be understood as actions for upgrading the quality of public space. The variants proposed assume limiting traffic in Opata Rybińskiego Street and shifting through traffic in the direction of Osowa outside the very centre of Stara Oliwa. The purpose of that action is to protect the existing historic development and the Oliwa Park against noise, vibrations and exhaust fumes and to create a safe pedestrian zone in that place. This assumption also regards Opacka Street, which constitutes a valuable alley, amongst other, to the Oliwa Cemetery. That said, the correct variant seems to be the one assuming the construction of an additional street between the Television premises and the Academy of Physical Education and Sports. Moreover, one should consider the possibility of removing the tramway line to Opata Rybińskiego Street and integrating it with the floor plane. It would allow freeing a considerable area for new investments. It is proposed that the tram terminal be removed to the area at the intersection of Opacka Street and Al. Grunwaldzka Street. Arranging traffic in the area of Opata Rybińskiego Street and the tram terminal is a unique chance to arrange pedestrian traffic on the route of PKP Railway Station - SKM Oliwa – tram terminal – Oliwa Cathedral. The removal of the terminal, implementation in its place of service-provision and residential development would allow removing the pedestrian crossing to the level of Poczty Polskiej Street. When implementing improvements in Stara Oliwa one should remember about the issue of the pedestrian zone in the area of the ecological corridor of Potok Oliwski and Oś Parku Oliwskiego. This unique strip of natural vegetation covers the historic layout of Potok Oliwski (22 ponds) and connects 4 most important city parks of Gdańsk (Oliwski, Na Przymorzu, Jelitkowski, Regana). Also important are pedestrian circulations in the area of Oliwa Cathedral with seasonal tourist activity and weekend recreation-related activity. The reorganization should improve pedestrian-and-bicycle circulations by tourists between the Cathedral – park and the view tower Pachołek, Kuźnia Wodna in Dolina Radości, and even the ZOO. Moreover, it should be remembered that there are possibilities of developing the function of tourism services that this area offers. Presently the area is degraded, but its location predisposes this area for development for tourist functions. One should also remember about the considerable problem of there being no efficient car park system, which would escalate as a result of implementing tourist attractions of that area. In this area there are 6 main generally available car park spaces and at least 5 huge spaces used only occasionally for mass events. Entrance into these car parks is complicated, and in the case of entering the AWF hall area – even dangerous. One should definitely allow for arranging the parking system in this area. It would be advisable to introduce an integrated system using the potentials of institutions – the Television and the Academy of Physical Education and Sports. To sum up, the most important thing is to plan safe pedestrian crossings in proper places. This element is one of the most significant factors activating city areas, leading to their natural renewal actuated by commercial forces. The implementation of such important changes requires the use of numerous individual solutions. The reconstruction of Opata Rybińskiego Street requires comprehensive studies, like those that Gdynia made for Świętojańska Street. It should be borne in mind that the changes implemented regard one of the most valuable historic areas of Poland and Europe.

Added: February 2011