Warsaw's Żerański Park Nominated for European Prize for Urban Public Space

Warsaw's Żerański Park has received international acclaim, securing a nomination in the prestigious European Prize for Urban Public Space competition. This recognition celebrates the park's successful transformation of a neglected post-industrial waterfront into a vibrant public area.

The project, undertaken by the architectural firms Archigrest and topoScape, focused on revitalizing a 1.4-kilometer section of the Vistula River's edge. This area, once the site of an unfinished industrial port, had been abandoned for years and had begun to be inhabited by amphibians and small mammals. The goal of the revitalization was to preserve the historical traces of the former port while integrating them seamlessly into a new, green public space for local residents.

Judges noted the project's positive impact on the local community, considering its cultural, social, and ecological benefits. Among the 381 entries from across Europe, Żerański Park was selected as one of the 25 best projects, standing alongside notable urban spaces in cities like Paris, Copenhagen, and Vienna. The design incorporates recreational zones, small pavilions that reference the area's industrial past, and pathways for pedestrians and cyclists that also promote biodiversity.

This nomination marks another success for Archigrest and topoScape, who previously received awards for their revitalization of Park Akcji „Burza” in Warsaw. The Żerański Park project will now advance to further stages of the competition, with five finalists to be chosen before the grand finale in October 2026, where the winner will be announced at the Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona.