It will be the biggest investment in Małopolska and the most important for eastern part of Krakow within coming years. One of the unique project of brownfields revitalisation in Europe enters the implementation phase. The Board of the Małopolska Voivodeship has already adopted a resolution on the subsidy of the key investment of “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” project for nearly 59 million PLN. Economic Activity Zone will be created in Nowa Huta – 40 ha of comprehensively prepared investment areas. Several entrepreneurs will locate their own investments there.

Several years ago, these areas were used to industrial activities. Part of the Economic Activity Zone is located for example in the old slag processing plant of Krakow’s steelworks within former protection zone of Lenin’s Steelworks. Then, for many years it was not used and gradually was subjected to degradation. Currently, the area suffers from the following problems: ground contamination, urban chaos in terms of technical infrastructure or uncontrolled bio-succession. Despite these negative phenomena, thanks to realisation of project aiming at developing Economic Activity Zone, it is possible to create an attractive space for new investments.

However, before these areas will be available to entrepreneurs, specialised works are to be carried out – staring from demolition and digging activities, reconstruction of conflicting power lines ending on creation of internal communication and technical infrastructure. Total investment cost of the Economic Activity Zone – Nowa Huta is 85 million PLN, where nearly 59 million PLN will come from EU Funds in the framework of Regional Operational Programme of Małopolska Voivodeship 2014-2020.

Undeniable advantage of the planned Economic Activity Zone – Nowa Huta of the Future is its convenient location in terms of communication accessibility: direct neighbourhood of national road No. 7, about 13 km from entrance on A4 highway; direct neighbourhood of railway line; close proximity of airport with restricted airworthiness certification in Pobiednik Wielki and short distance – about 30 min by car – from Kraków Airport Balice.

The axis of the Economic Activity Zone – Nowa Huta of the Future is Igołomska Street (just being rebuilt). Its area is a part of Branice Science and Technology Park and was divided into 3 sub-areas: the biggest of them – “Igołomska North” covers 17 ha, “Igołomska South” is almost of 16 ha and “Igołomska West” – 6,5 ha. Together they form the biggest investment area in Krakow.

– We do not close for anybody, we talk with the smallest and the greatest entrepreneurs, we will comprehensively prepare and share these 40 ha for investments in chemistry, life science, sustainable energy, ICT technology, metal and metal products production and non-metallic mineral products, electrotechnology and creative industry and leisure time – PhD Artur Paszko said, Chairman of the Board of Kraków Nowa Huta of the Future S.A.

Reactivation of these unused areas will be initiated by creation of “Economic Activity Zone – Nowa Huta of the Future” and realisation of all components of “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” project that is Logistics Centre “Ruszcza”, Branice Science and Technology Park, The Błonia 2.0 Open Area of Large-scale Events and Przylasek Rusiecki – rest-and-recreation area with auxiliary services.

– This is starting point for wider view on the whole Krakow and Małopolska. This project is to create a new development impetus by transformation of degraded brownfields into space for business development and also for science, culture and recreation. And we are talking about really large scale. It is worth remembering that these investment activities are implemented in the area of almost 600 ha and area of direct exposure of “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” covers almost 5,5 thousand ha – PhD Artur Paszko continues. When we were estimating potential of this area in terms of workplaces numbers, specialists defined that even 40 thousand will be possible to create, in high and medium-high technique industries and in services, so the challenge is really great – he adds.

The project “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” was included in the key document “Development Strategy of Krakow. I want to live here. Kraków 2030”, in the section “Modern economy and scientific potential” and it confirms its significance for the City.

According to the assumptions, project “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” will work in synergy with integrated functions of business, science, culture and recreation. It will be a modern, well-communicated part of Kraków, providing perfect conditions for innovative entrepreneurship development. Modern city in the city – advanced and benefiting from cultural and historic heritage at the same time.

Urban project of Economic Activity Zone was prepared by F11 Design Studio under the direction of dr. hab. Eng. arch. Marcin Furtak.