Warsaw activists propose largest open-air cafe in Poland

Activists have announced a proposal to transform an area of downtown Warsaw into the largest open-air café in Poland. The plans would see the area around Plac Zbawiciela become a promenade during summer weekends, with restaurant tables on the streets, food trucks, and local business stands.

But Warsaw’s deputy major has criticised the idea, which would turn the street into a pedestrian and bicycle zone with trams continuing to pass through, saying that residents would be deprived of access through the city.

Miasto Jest Nasze (The City Is Ours), a movement that campaigns to improve life for residents of Poland’s capital, argues that “after a year of a pandemic, Warsaw residents need a promenade more than ever before.”

According to their proposal, the street would be closed to car traffic on summer weekends, with restaurants, bars and food trucks erecting tables on the road. The plans could also see entertainment and cultural activities, including a Saturday fair, concerts, open-air meetings and street galleries, taking place. 

The activists hope the proposal would benefit local restaurants and businesses, many of whom have seen trade tumble since the start of the pandemic.  “[Local restaurants] support our idea,” Jan Mencwel, the head of Miasto Jest Nasze, told Onet. 

A similar initiative took place last summer, which transformed one side of the Plac Zbawiciela roundabout into a pedestrian zone. However, the project faced criticism as pedestrians were forced to sit next to concrete barriers and close to cars.

Activists from Miasto Jest Nasze argue that city authorities should expand last year’s offering to cater for city residents and that crowds gathering along the Vistula River highlight the need for open urban spaces in the city.

“Warsaw residents will be able to safely use many services, maintaining social distancing,” said Maciej Folta from the organisation, quoted by Onet. “They will also gain a place for walking, which is particularly important in the context of the fact that there will be no promenade on Nowy Świat [a central street usually pedestrianised at weekends] this year.”

 “This is a unique opportunity to fully use the potential of this place for residents.”

However, Warsaw’s deputy mayor, Michał Olszewski, criticised the proposal. “It is not possible to restrict traffic to this area, because we would deprive residents of access to transportation,” he told Onet. “Leaving the trams would be pointless, because it would require setting up barriers anyway, otherwise it would be dangerous,” he added.

The city hall is, however, proposing some changes for Plac Zbawiciela in summer, which would take a similar shape to last year, with significantly reduced car traffic, and the opening of café gardens. According to unofficial information reported by Onet, this initiative could be launched as early as the start of June.

Miasto Jest Nasze has proposed other changes to transform the appearance of Warsaw streets and districts in recent years.

Last month, they suggested the area around Plac Wilsona (Wilson Square) in Żoliborz could be restructured to benefit residents, with the construction of pavements running through the centre of the roundabout, markings for bicycle paths, and the planting of a variety of greenery. 

Last year, the movement also announced the creation of the toilet-sharing AirPnP app – which was later revealed to be fake – to highlight the lack of public toilets in the city and the downsides of the “sharing economy”.

Main image credit: MiastoJestNasze/Twitter 

Juliette Bretan

Juliette Bretan is a freelance journalist covering Polish and Eastern European current affairs and culture. Her work has featured on the BBC World Service, and in CityMetric, The Independent, Ozy, New Eastern Europe and Culture.pl.