Revitalisation and new functions of historic space – meeting of experts from Krakow and Edinburgh
An exhibition devoted to Krakow architecture will open at the University of Edinburgh on 25th October 2011 and will be accompanied by a presentation: Architecture, urban planning – new functions in world heritage cities of Edinburgh and Krakow.
Presentations will include speeches by Krakow and Edinburgh experts, representatives of both municipalities, such as Prof. Andrzej Wyżykowski - Main Architect of the City of Krakow, Stanisław Dziedzic - Head of the Department of Culture and National Heritage of Krakow Municipality, John Bury, Head of the Planning Department in Edinburgh and Adam Wilkinson, Head of Edinburgh World Heritage, a municipal institution responsible for the management of historic objects.
Krakow and Edinburgh have been partner cities since 1995 which originated with joint (together with the city of Berlin) implementation of the ECOS project devoted to the revitalisation of the district of Kazimierz which took place in the years 1993 – 1997. The result of that project was the so-called Kazimierz Action Plan, a document which was the basis for many actions aimed at the revitalisation of Kazimierz. Today, after almost 20 years since those actions we aould like to return to that doscussion. The realitz is different, Kazimierz is no longer a grimy, neglected district but one of the most attractive areas of the city. Still, there are more than enough issues to be discussed, both regarding the further development of thos area and strategies for other parts of Krakow. Planners, architects and historic buildings inspectors – not only from Krakow and Edinburgh - still discuss the scope of modifications and new changes to the historic spaces. The authorities of both cities approach the development of strategy of introducing new funkctions in historic city centres with great care. The Edinburgh meeting, where the audiences will listen to several presentations, among others: The spirit of Edinburgh's architecture and its original functions, Strategies of implementing new municipal functions, but also will get to know examples of new, outstanding Krakow investments: Schindler's factory and Rynek Underground exhibitions, which will certainly constitute an attractive lesson for not only for experts but also for regular inhabitants of Edinburgh.
The October presentation will be possible thanks to the efforts of the Polish Cultural Festival in Edinburgh, World Heritage Trust, General Consulate of the Polish Republic in Edinburgh as well as the City of Edinburgh.
See more: Programme of the event
