A new life for Płock’s post-industrial district

The area bounded by Bielska, Tysiąclecia, Przemysłowa and Narodowych Sił Zbrojnych streets in Płock is a post-industrial site that previously housed numerous buildings used by poultry processing plants. Although the local spatial development plan provided for the continuation of industrial functions, this type of use was not welcomed by local residents, as the presence of a poultry slaughterhouse caused significant odour nuisance. The owner of the site, Cedrob S.A., wishing to transform the 6.5-hectare plot, engaged Greenfields to propose solutions that would enable a change of use. “To return this part of the city to its residents, we proposed a new form of development worthy of this part of Płock,” says Justyna Cymerman, Director of Greenfields’ Urban Planning Department. “It will be a place with numerous pedestrian passages, public squares and services, designed to encourage social integration across all generations,” she adds. Greenfields invited Warsaw-based Studio 20 to cooperate on the project. The architectural practice developed a masterplan in line with contemporary principles for creating resident-friendly neighbourhoods. In addition to residential buildings, the project includes service units and publicly accessible recreational areas, such as community gathering spaces, walking paths and landscaped green squares.