Park at the Warsaw Uprising Mound
12th edition of the European Prize for Urban Public Space. Winning project in General category
The Uprising Mound, originated as dumping ground for the rubble of the city destroyed during the Second World War, is located in one of Warsaw’s most central districts and a rapidly growing residential area. In the 1990s, a memorial was erected on the top of the mound with symbols of the Polish resistance movement, turning the site into a venue for annual commemorations.
Efforts focused mainly on adapting the mound to the needs of all users. Due to the complex terrain, this required the creation of footbridges and artificial gullies. With the help of concrete specialists, technology was used to make concrete from the rubble, applying modern circular economy criteria. The slopes of the resulting gullies resemble the geological layers of an anthropogenic mound, and serve as a record of the daily manual work of the workers. The project also included recreational features, with the creation of numerous resting and walking areas, including a children’s playground.
In terms of vegetation, a planting plan was developed in collaboration with a specialist in phytosociology. This was based on an analysis of the natural processes initiated by pioneering and invasive species, followed by a model for new ecosystems. As part of the education and outreach work, an outdoor exhibition on the reconstruction of Warsaw and the new type of landscape it created was set up in collaboration with a historian and a nature educator.
The project has strengthened the local population’s sense of belonging to the site, as they now better understand its history and can aesthetically appreciate the use of the rubble that formed the mound. On the other hand, the project has provided the city with a new green space that is resilient to climate change, thanks to landscape management strategies and the spontaneous nature that has grown on the mound, which has also reduced maintenance costs. The result has improved access to the park, making it easier to use and more secure for visitors.
