USE-IT Roadshow - In Poznan
Edited on
19 July 2022Across Europe to Poland for our next visit. Certainly, in Britain when people often think about the more easterly parts of Europe, for some reason, they think about the cold winters.
Though this is true, at the other extreme though, this part of the world also has very warm summers – and one of the two days when we visited were certainly warm, around 39 degrees to be precise.
Laba Land
After a stroll around Poznan to get a feel for the city, we made our way by Poznan’s ‘thankfully’ air-conditioned tram network to a park area called Laba Land. It’s a field next to a sports centre and leased to a local community group who have hosted events and have a small community hub. There’s a very nice office, made from a container, though with its glass frontage it looks like it’s been custom built for the site. There’s also a cabin with seati
ng and a bookcase (books can be borrowed) and a quirky feature where lampshades are hung from the trees. Thankfully this made the area nice and cool – and we could all enjoy an in-depth conversation about the site and hear the ambitious plans for really growing things going forward.
Jeżyckie Centrum Kultury
Oh how things can change in a day! From scorching sun to torrential rain the next day. We woke up to a very wet Poznan, though thankfully our visits today were indoors.
Heading to the Jeżyckie district, we arrived at our first location rather wet, but enthusiastic. This was the Jeżyckie Centrum Kultury ‘Jeżyckie Cultural Centre’. It’s fair to say that we all impressed with the centre. What was originally cellars built during the second world war to store ammunitions, have been converted into a very smart arts and exhibition space. There’s certainly some interesting pieces in there! The upper floors are equally as impressive with an exhibition hall, classroom/community room area and a restaurant.
Lunch and the Poznan Corporation Development Plan
Back out into the rain again, for a 10 minute walk to a very nice coffee shop and a great discussion about Poznan, local politics, community relations and a whole host of interesting topics. Still raining outside, and getting heavier, we braved the elements again, to have lunch, back at the Jeżyckie Cultural Centre. As with Rotterdam, we were very honoured with the level of hospitality we received. This meal, all three courses of it (at lunchtime no less) was just one example. This was also a great opportunity to have a look through the new Poznan Corporation Development Plan and discuss.
Ładne Rzeczy
With the rain now easing off, we had a slightly more comfortable walk across the neighbourhood to Ładne Rzeczy (Social Economy Studio). Absolute hospitality again. There were so many sandwiches and cakes at this meeting, it was something to be seen. Indeed, quite a few members of our group have developed a real taste for Polish Cheesecake and Apple Pie!
Back to serious business though – we had a great meeting here too, discussing social enterprises and the relationship between these, the corporation and the wider city – alongside talking about start-up companies and the sector more generally. As a bit of novelty, there was an opportunity to wear a suit that replicated being elderly (a very strange sensation) and representatives from some of the area’s social enterprises.
In all a very interesting and successful visit. As with Rotterdam, our hosts made us feel extremely welcome and gave a lot of food-for-thought. We need to return the favour when colleagues from both cities come to visit Birmingham in September.
Submitted by James Carless on