Jaworzno sets a course
Rafał Romanowski - RE:VIEW Journalist (left) Paweł Silbert - Mayor of Jaworzno (right)
My first look at Jaworzno was quite critical, but after a bit of time I found its potential.
I like some aspects of living in Jaworzno more than, e.g. in Wrocław or Opole. It's more cosy, well ventilated and has a lot of green areas.
There is something to breathe. There are challenges, but is it good to manage? It's fine because I like it and great people live here. Jaworzno is like a melting point.
Jaworzno is formally in Silesian, but historically in Małopolska. It is a border city which underlines its uniqueness.
Jaworzno voluntary gave up being part of the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union.
Jaworzno's unique feature is that when people go to a nearby church to celebrate a holiday, music is played by a miner's orchestra, but the ladies are wearing Krakow's folk costumes.
Changes in the city started 15 years ago. The focus was on the expansion of the sewage system, green energy and electromobility.
The city had a terrible communication system. National road number 79 was passing through the market square and thousands of cars were driving daily through it. Now there are fountains.
We assumed that after the transformation the city would be safe. At the time, we were doing this in the dark, but then I read the book by Danish urban planner Jan Gehl...
... and I realised that what we have done he has already described. But we still have a lot to do!
The changes were introduced gradually and precisely consulted with the inhabitants.
We have socialised everything possible: spatial planning, study of the conditions of spatial development.
But also designing routes for bicycles. Often these aren't out projects, but e.g. the cycling community.
Traffic slowdown, no speed cameras and narrow streets improved pedestrian safety.
We have built a lot of pedestrian crossings. They are natural retardants, before which the driver has to slow down and can't speed up to the next one.
In Jaworzno, the first in Poland Dutch roundabout with a bicycle lane has been built.
There is a velostrade for cyclists in the city. There are plans to create an electric bicycle rental.
There are also electric city buses, which can be driven for 240 PLN a year.
The city achieved a pioneering position in electromobility. Now is the time for autonomous vehicles.
Maciej Zaremba - PKM Jaworzno Spokesman (right)
In a few years' time the first autonomous bus will pass through Jaworzno. It will be tested, ultra-safe and as good as the bus with live driver. Let us dare to dream!
If fast charging stations are installed at bus stops, the driver can charge the bus easily during a break.
Our electric buses go to Katowice and Sosnowiec. Charging is done here using electricity from the Jaworzno power station.
The Jaworzno power plant uses the latest technologies to minimise harmful emissions.
If somebody would like to see how you can burn coal in high technologies, they should come to Jaworzno.
Translation by Aleksander Jóźwik