The turn of the year is the time when we summarize the passing year, and at the same time plan activities for the next 365 days. The year 2021 was for Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłości S.A. an intense time, mainly characterized by ongoing investments.

Bathing area in Przylasek Rusiecki – a new place of rest for residents

At the beginning of July, the bathing area in Przylasek Rusiecki was officially opened. The reconstruction of the recreational area at the water reservoir no. 1 was awaited not only by the residents of Nowa Huta. The main idea behind the implemented modernisation was to create a modern place of rest that would use the natural values in a sustainable way. The summary of this bathing season shows that the recreational infrastructure, combined with a well-prepared offer, was liked by the inhabitants of Krakow.

The total area of this investment is about 26 hectares and almost 19 of that is covered with the water reservoir. The paths meandering between the trees lead to the piers at the edges. Last year the contractor of the investment brought 7,000 tons of sand so that we can all enjoy the advantages of the beach, volleyball courts, and the youngest can spend time on a modern playground. Also with children in mind, a “floating” pool was created.

Important elements of this project are two new buildings, constituting sanitary facilities with a changing room and a warehouse with social rooms for the staff. The investment implementation was guided by thinking about counteracting climate change. Paved surfaces have been kept to a minimum, existing vegetation has been preserved, new vertical flora has been planted on buildings, and renewable energy devices such as heat pumps and photovoltaic panels have been installed. Taking care of the safety of users, intelligent lighting has also been used, the intensity of which, however, adjusts to the time of a day and traffic in the area.

Educational Park “Branice” – the media talked about it

The topic of the Educational Park “Branice” to be established in Krakow was widely discussed in the media. Its part is to be an open-air museum of wooden construction. Employees acquire more specific objects – houses, farm buildings, but also antique furniture or elements of equipment of old farms. The team of architects is working on the construction documentation of the educational and exhibition building and land development.

According to the concept adopted last year, the Educational Park “Branice” is to be divided into several parts. The heart of the project is, of course, an open-air museum consisting of homesteads, which are to be accompanied by a wooden sacred building. There will also be a lot of greenery typical of rural areas, such as herbs and cereal fields. There will also be an orchard, an apiary, a gala square and the aforementioned exhibition and administration building, reminiscent of the form of historic wooden buildings, which will undoubtedly become the center of new cultural and educational activities.

New investment areas in Nowa Huta – intensification of works

Intensive investment activities are also carried out on both sides of the currently reconstructed Igołomska Street. It is here, on over 30 hectares, that work is being carried out to develop this post-industrial area for the needs of entrepreneurs.

The “Economic Activity Zone – Nowa Huta of the Future”, which is currently under construction, covers post-industrial areas located on the eastern side of the steelworks, behind the tram and bus terminus in Pleszów. This space, prepared as part of the Science and Technology Park “Branice”, is to be ready next year. It will include 40 fully prepared investment plots of various areas. Thanks to the investment, which received funding from European Funds under the Regional Operational Program of the Małopolska Region for 2014-2020 (approx. PLN 60 million with the total project value exceeding PLN 92 million), unused and neglected areas will be restored to the city. They will be connected to Igołomska Street by a network of internal roads and provided with the necessary utilities, such as water, electricity and sewage. There are also green areas of relaxation planned throughout the EAZ, with walking paths, greenery and small architecture. As a result of the implementation of this undertaking and future investments of entrepreneurs, several thousand new jobs will be created in this area.

The ongoing investment works are nearing completion, therefore we expect that the first offers for entrepreneurs, including the lease or purchase of individual properties, will be published in the middle of the coming year. One of the basic assumptions of the establishment of the EAZ is the settlement of entrepreneurs belonging to the group of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in its area.

The Science and Technology Park “Branice” is also an area to which Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłości S.A. trying to attract large entrepreneurs. The first activities are planned for next year, aimed at establishing, for example, a new factory and research center, Bielenda Kosmetyki Naturalne Sp. z o. o. At the beginning of the year, further transactions are also planned, covering real estate complexes with a total area of more than 5 hectares.

The project “Kraków Metropolitan Area for Business” – promotion of the Region on a large scale

The Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłości S.A. team is responsible for building interest in Małopolska, Kraków and Nowa Huta among investors. The team implementing the project “Krakow Metropolitan Area for Business”, co-financed from EU funds, which intensified its activities after last year’s pandemic break. We promoted the economic potential of the region at the MIPIM investment fair, Japan-CEE Investment Summit & Awards, Real EXPO 2021 and during the Polish-Arab Economic Forum at EXPO Dubai 2020. The business contacts established resulted in ongoing talks with companies from around the world. One of the effects of the work is also a promotional video showing visualizations of investment areas in Kraków and neighboring municipalities.

Multifunctionality as the key to success?

Two further activities are also being carried out: the Open Area for Large-scale Events “Błonia 2.0” and the Logistics and Industry Center “Ruszcza”. Kraków Nowa Huta Przyszłości S.A. is acquiring further real estate there and is conducting other preparatory activities, including raising funds for their implementation. There are also many indications that the project “Kraków – Nowa Huta of the Future” will soon be completed with a residential part.