Let’s explore nature of informal green spaces in Kraków

Informal green spaces – ‘green’ areas with spontaneous vegetation, various levels of biodiversity, that are not managed to maintain any specific values for people or nature. Quite often they have liminal character – in transition between intensive use and abandonment, in constant flux over different time periods, where nature appears and reappears without human intervention or intention. They may have uncertain futures, unsecured by spatial planning or facing legal constrains. Many studies show the increasing importance of informal green spaces for the well-being of urban residents and climate change adaptation of both humans and non-humans in urban environments. While environmental humanities increasingly draw attention to the importance and potential of informal green spaces to create new ways of coexisting in the Anthropocene, environmental sciences also draw attention to the negative role of such spaces in the spread of invasive alien species, which counteracts the protection of urban biodiversity.

In out project we map human and non-human uses of information green spaces in Krakow. You can contribute to these efforts by visiting one of four selected spots of urban information green spaces and identifying any plant or animal species.

The project offers two rewards of a book voucher for 150zł for those who will contribute the largest number of photos and the biggest number of recognized species in these spaces.

The research project ‘Unlocking Urban Potential: Fostering Multispecies Justice in Informal Green Spaces; is funded by NCN, Opus 25, 2023/49/B/HS4/0071.

For further questions, please contact PI Arash Akhshik arash.akhshik@uj.edu.pl or Joanna Tusznio joanna.tusznio@uj.edu.pl More about the project: https://natura.wb.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/opus25

Green polygons on the map identify the informal green spaces.

Bagry Ludwinowskie / Ludwinów Ponds

Ludwinów Ponds - an area around a pond located between the Ludwinów allotment gardens and the Wilga River. This area has recently been acquired by the city, and there is currently a discussion about its future - should it be managed mainly for urban wildlife, or should it be redesigned to maximise its recreational value for the city's citizens?

We are interested in observing species around the pond, in the area between the pond and the Wilga River, and on the banks of the Wilga (both sides) between the pond and Konopnickiej Street. Suggested starting point here.

Zagajnik i łąka okolicy Kampusu UJ / a small grove and meadow next to the UJ campus

Zagajnik i łąka okolicy Kampusu UJ / a small grove and meadow next to the UJ campus - a small piece of land between highly developed areas, a transitional space between a Natura 2000 area (to the north-west) and the highly urbanised Ruczaj district.

We are interested in observing species in the area between the Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University, the JPII Church and the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre - along Bobrzyńskiego Street. It is easily accessible from the Kampus UJ tram stop.

Zagajnik między targowiskiem przy pętli tramwajowej Borek Fałęcki / an untidy grove next to the last tram stop of Borek Fałęcki

Zagajnik między targowiskiem przy pętli tramwajowej Borek Fałęcki / an untidy grove next to the last tram stop of Borek Fałęcki - an untidy grove next to well-managed city parks. How differently are such managed and unmanaged places used by animals?

Here we are interested in 1) the 'messy' grove and spontaneous vegetation in the area between the Borek Fałęcki tram loop, the Krakowianka campsite no. 171 and the Metropolo Golden Tulip Hotel, and 2) the well-managed Solvay Park to the north, next to the Solvay shopping centre.

On our map, light green and brownish areas indicate the informal green spaces. Dark green with rectangles indicates the formal green of a municipal park. Please note that the 'messy' part of the area has restricted access - indicated by lines - and we do not encourage trespassing. It is easily accessible from the Borek Fałęcki tram stop.

Las Wróblowicki w Swoszowicach / Wróblowicki urban forest in Swoszowice

Las Wróblowicki w Swoszowicach / Wróblowicki urban forest in Swoszowice – green space in the suburbs of Krakow. Here you can visit the small forest between Bochenka and Herbowa Streets – clearly a recreational spot for people, as well as a less obvious location – around a small watercourse, just north of Herbowa Street.

You can access this site by public transport, starting at a bus stop Wróblowice Szkoła, and walking towards Bochenka and Herbowa streets.

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