Narrative

Lublin has succeeded in creating an effective framework to structure the interface between the municipality and the community relying on participatory processes, partnership and empowerment. In 1990, the Urban Planning Unit of the City of Lublin, Poland initiated a participatory process to engage residents in the development of their neighborhoods and to rehabilitate older districts. The new approach was initiated in two lower-income districts, Bronowice and Kosminek. In 1994, the Local Initiatives Program was institutionalized in order to guarantee its continuity as a key environmental improvement strategy. The program ensures that public and private stakeholders engage in cost-sharing partnerships to develop infrastructure and finance environmental improvements. The City has created an enabling environment for private investment in housing and microenterprises. Results over the past two years have been impressive and spill over effects have far exceeded expectations.

Impact

• In two years, 137 houses have been renovated in the two pilot areas and 50 new buildings have been constructed.
• Only 6 shops existed in the neighborhoods before regularization; today, 55 shops have been opened in the rehabilitated buildings and 18 buildings have been entirely converted to commercial use.
• Close to 120 people are working in these micro-enterprises.
• In addition to the inputs of residents themselves, construction activities have provided work for over 100 persons engaged in the building trades.

Sustainability

The Local Initiatives Program has demonstrated that participatory planning and community-based development processes adapted to the dynamics of the local economy can ensure the sustainability of revitalization effort with diminished public inputs. By building in a strategic component in partnership initiatives, the program is making a significant contribution to the livability and economic vitality of the city's diverse neighborhoods.

The sustainability of the activities is initiated by ensuring participation of all stakeholders (public & private) and programming improvements to be affordable to them on a pay-as-you-go approach to capital financing, and fostering the replicability of successful initiatives from one street to the next, and one neighborhood to the other.

Frameworks for participation and empowerment help structure the interface between the city and the community and help promote public/private partnerships. These frameworks also assist in shaping operational strategies that integrate economic revitalization and environmental upgrading at the community level.

Contact

Municipality of Lublin
vl. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 78
Lublin
Poland
20 950
48 81 20847

Sponsor

Municipality of Lublin, Poland
Municipality of Lublin
Plac Wladyslawa Lokietka 1
Lublin
Poland
10 950
48 81 22626

Partners

Municipality of Lublin, Poland
Ewa Kipta, Municipality of Lublin
vl. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 78
Lublin
Poland
20 950
48 81 20847

N/A
Dr. Krzysztopf Stefaniuk
Plac Wladyslawa Lokietka 1
Lublin
Poland
10 950
48 81 22626