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EDITORIAL

The term 'temporary' might suggest something that appears for a moment, then disappears and does not bother us. Unfortunately, public space creators often forget that all work done in the city is very much like an 'open-heart surgery'. No street in the city can be renovated without taking into account all residents who are still using it on daily basis - people wanting to access their apartments or those for whom this space is the only way to access the place of their work or studies. Let's think about the situation when the city centre in Łódź is being renovated and the artery linking western and eastern parts of the city in being modernised. During that time at ul. Sienkiewicza the so-called 'temporary traffic arrangement' was implemented - Sienkiewicza became a two-way street. And now let's come back to the word 'temporary' - the new arrangement was implemented in 2013 and two years later it is still in place.

The whole investment regarding the W-Z Route is linked to such changes, where, temporarily - i.e. for an indefinite period of time, a number of obstacles, detours and difficulties is being implemented. All of those are announced during numerous press conferences. But what does it lead to? Once at a press conference the authorities ensured that pedestrian and cycling traffic will not be bothered and at that time, it seemed so. Unfortunately, declarations stayed declarations only, as the contractor closed bike routes and pedestrian crossings changed their location on a weekly basis, moreover they often lead through uneven pavements or sand which quickly changed into mud after rain. 

In this issue of 'Inna Droga' we invited Michał Dobrzyński to co-operate with us. He is a PhD candidate in the Intitute of Philosophy at the University of Łódź and The Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany and often publishes pieces on mobility on his website. 

Our expert points out that in order for a temporary traffic arrangement to be successful in needs to influence everyday usage of the infrastructure to the lowest extent possible. Users of such infrastructure need to be ensured that despite an extraordinary situation all was done in order to meet their needs as well. 

Since numerous road investments are being implemented in our city, I am sure that 'temporary traffic arrangements' awareness should become common not only to desperate road users, but especially to decision-makers, officials and contractors. Enjoy the read.

We encourage you to get acquainted with "A different way - Temporary Traffic Arrangement", available at ISSUU.COM

Publication on 'temporary traffic arrangement'(read online) / (download in PDF form)

About project

The project „Safe City – a different way” is financed with a sum of 285 000 zł from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as part of Citizens for Democracy Programme (implemented by the Stefan Batory Foundation in partnership with the Polish Children and Youth Foundation) with EEA Funds. The project is aimed at increasing the influence of citizens of Łódź on decisions and actions, which are to ensure road traffic safety and quality of public space.

Project partners