In the very heart of Warsaw, comprehensive reconstruction of three passages has begun. Once completed, the works will create a single unified pedestrian route known as Aleja Centralna (Central Avenue). The new artery will connect the square at Metro Centrum, colloquially called the 'frying pan' (patelnia), with Central Station (Dworc Centralny). The contractor for the works, valued at PLN 10.6 million, is the company Balzola. The project is the next stage of the broader 'New Warsaw Centre' (Nowe Centrum Warszawy) initiative.
A New Promenade Named After Poets
The passages undergoing renovation bear the names of three distinguished poets: Wisława Szymborska, Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna, and Zuzanna Ginczanka. Currently, the state of these communication routes does not match their function – thousands of pedestrians cross them daily, yet passage is often hindered by uneven surfaces, chaotic vegetation, and an excess of concrete. The goal of the modernization is to give the space an appearance worthy of its role as a city promenade and a calling card of the capital.
The work is not limited to the main thoroughfare. The scope of the investment also includes cross-passage locations in the shadow of the Palace of Culture and Science. Like the main avenue, these are also named in honor of Polish women writers: Halina Poświatowska, Anna Świrszczyńska, Izabela Morska, and Irena Krzywicka. This choice of names underscores the literary character of this part of the Śródmieście district.
Stone Slabs and Aluminum Lamps
A key element of the modernization is the replacement of the worn-out surface. Instead of the existing surfaces, stone slabs will be installed, featuring a pattern that references the aesthetics of the surrounding Palace of Culture and Science. This change will significantly improve the comfort of movement, both for pedestrians and users of wheelchairs or suitcases.
The lighting of the passages will also undergo significant changes. Old concrete poles located on the PKP Śródmieście side will be replaced with new aluminum lamps. Additionally, at the level of the Kinoteka, a sundial will be recreated. In the vicinity of this element of urban craftsmanship, new benches and pergolas planted with climbing plants will appear, which are intended to provide shade and a moment of respite on hot days.
Particular attention has been paid to the availability of infrastructure for cyclists. As part of the reconstruction, the Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna passage will be made available to them, allowing for smoother movement by bicycle in this densely built-up area of the center.
Deconcreting and Planting New Flora
A significant portion of the project budget is dedicated to greening the area, which was previously largely covered in concrete. Designers from the Municipal Road Management Office (Zarząd Dróg Miejskich) drew inspiration from the original greenery plans from the 1950s, adapting them to current standards. As part of the work, approximately 800 square meters of surface will be deconcreted.
In place of the old asphalt and concrete slabs, new flower beds with a total area of approximately 9,000 square meters will be created. Plants will be planted in irregular shapes and patterns, creating dynamic compositions. Among the plantings will be shrubs such as cornel cherries, snowberry, and roses, as well as perennials and grasses, including sage, blue oat grass, and yarrow. Several new trees and smaller multi-stemmed forms will also be planted. However, the choice of tree locations is limited by the building's structure – in places where the roof of the main railway line runs underground, planting large, deep-rooted forms is not possible.
An Element of the New Warsaw Centre Project
Aleja Centralna is an integral part of the multi-year revitalization plan for the city center known as the New Warsaw Centre (NCW). This project connects individual streets and squares into a coherent, accessible space for all, gradually turning the center into a green and aesthetic part of the city. As part of the NCW, Central Square (Plac Centralny) has already been created, which completely transformed the surroundings of the Palace of Culture and Science, turning it from a concrete desert into a place of meetings and cultural events.
The reconstruction of the blocks of Złota, Zgody, Jasna, and Sienkiewicza streets was the last completed element of this puzzle. After the completion of the works on Aleja Centralna, the next stage of the New Warsaw Centre development will be the modernization of Krucza street.