The Hidden Potential of Informal Urban Greenspace: An Example of Two Former Landfills in Post-Socialist Cities (Central Poland)

Abstract

The present study described analyses of two similar informal recreational green areas (former constructional waste disposal landfills) in two large cities (Warsaw city and Łódź city). On the basis of local society’s opinions, the land use conditions related to current accessibility, management, safety, cleanliness, variety and diversity of facility and vegetation, neighbourhood and connections with the urban green infrastructure of the given sites were studied. Overall feedback posted by the site users indicated that, despite temporary land use, both sites are good leisure areas that provide cultural ecosystem services to the citizens. However, their undefined development makes them to varying degrees neglected and risky spaces, especially for the local community. The reflection of the results of the present study may help the local authorities to manage the spaces of former landfills in accordance with the needs of the local society as well as define new functions of informal urban green space in the sustainable spatial policy in post-socialist cities in Poland and Eastern Europe.

Case Study-Based Integrated Assessment of Former Waste Disposal Sites Transformed to Green Space in Terms of Ecosystem Services and Land Assets Recovery

“…Gorka Rogowska is a former landfill located in Lodz Voivodeship, situated in the central part of Poland, now partly transformed into green space open for recreational activities such as walking trails, picnic places and landscape viewpoints. The surrounding area is occupied by Lagiewnicki forest (1200 ha) serving as a promising place for aerial planning of semi-rural and urban infrastructure with excellent potential for single-family housing estates [45][46][47]. The former landfill, mainly consisting of construction waste, has much better geotechnical characteristics and stability than the dump sites filled with municipal waste.…”

Clustering Business Models of Heterogeneous Nature-Based Solutions Implementing Innovative Governance and Financing Concepts

“…The NBS type "Leisure activities and clean energy on former landfills (LE)" aims to make use of former landfill sites (garbage dumps, excavation dumps, etc.) for outdoor activities (biking, walking, viewpoints, and other sport and leisure-time activities) in combination with retreat areas for wildlife [22,23]. Additionally, the exposed position of landfills allows for renewably capturing energy, e.g., via solar panels.…”

Environmental and molecular approach to dye industry waste degradation by the ascomycete fungus Nectriella pironii

“…However, it is estimated that approximately 10% of the 70 million tons of synthetic dyes produced annually worldwide are discharged into the environment in the form of process wastewater 5 – 7 . Industry waste contains a number of deleterious substances and is a key problem both for the environment and for human life and health in numerous countries, including Poland 8 – 11 . This applies not only to the current production but also to the industrial wastes created in the past.…”