Warsaw plans to transform Krucza Street into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard, replacing traffic lanes with a shaded walkway and green spaces. The project, part of the New Warsaw Center initiative, has faced delays, with the tender expected to begin in autumn 2025 and construction potentially launching in spring 2026.
Background and Project Details
Transforming Krucza Street
Krucza Street, stretching from Jerozolimskie Avenue to Piękna Street, is set for a full metamorphosis. Central to the redesign is a wide, linear pedestrian passage shaded by trees, retaining one traffic lane in each direction and parallel parking. New pedestrian crossings, bike infrastructure, and a 30 km/h speed zone will also feature. These plans were first proposed in 2021 under the New Warsaw Center initiative.
Project Timeline and Delays
The City of Warsaw commissioned a traffic analysis and macro-simulation of the Krucza segment from Jerozolimskie Avenue to Piękna Street via the Gradiens company. Since November 2022, the design office has been preparing project documentation. The tender for construction is slated for autumn 2025, with work potentially starting as early as spring 2026. Finalization of the documentation and tender resolution are critical milestones before full implementation, though no exact street date has been confirmed.
Functional Design Elements
The proposed redesign includes a central pedestrian mall with bicycle access, four rows of tree plantings, low greenery, and raised intersections without traffic signals. Priority will be given to public transport, with a water feature near the Mercure Grand Hotel, small food pavilions, and art installation locations planned. Sections of the historic cobblestone paving from the 1940s may be displayed if conservation guidelines permit.
Historical Context and Rationale
City officials noted that Krucza’s current layout—30–40 meters wide, with four to five traffic lanes and angled parking—reflects mid-20th-century socialist realist urban planning for central neighborhoods. However, with the redevelopment of nearby areas like Pięciu Rogów Square, a broad road is no longer essential. The project aims to repurpose space for pedestrians and greenery, aligning with modern urban priorities.
Public Debate and Concerns
The public has expressed mixed reactions. While some support the street’s transformation into a central urban space, others fear that night-life amenities may relocate deeper into residential neighborhoods. Local industry media and social media profiles have highlighted these concerns, emphasizing risks such as the proliferation of restaurants and noise to adjacent streets.
Media Coverage and Stakeholder Involvement
Local media and social media profiles have revisited the project, framing it as a key phase in the New Warsaw Center’s vision. They described the initiative as a bid to create a sprawling pedestrian zone inspired by La Rambla, with the City Transportation Office (ZDM) committing to releasing detailed traffic management plans once the tender is finalized.
Source: MiejskiReporter, Gradiens, Warsaw City Transportation Office (ZDM), industry press, and local social media profiles.
