Extending the algorithms of design procedures for new structures and urban spaces by research using architectural layout models and social surveys based on the example of new investment projects of the city of Zabrze

Upon the intense political and economic transformations of the early 1990s, the economic and spatial redefinition became necessary for a number of cities in Poland. Zabrze – a typically industrial city, located in the centre of Upper Silesian conurbation, due to the restructuring of the industry which mainly meant the fall and liquidation of mining and heavy industry correlated thereto - faced the necessity to change the functioning and – in consequence – the image based on new investment projects using the city material culture resources. The decision was made to transform Zabrze into a vibrant, post-industrial place, targeted at post-industrial tourism, developing academic and medical sciences centre with cardiology playing a special role therein. All components, recognised as the direction of the city sustained development, influenced the creation of the list of priority investment projects, which included: the reconstruction of Górnik Zabrze city stadium, revitalising the Main Key Heritage Drift and the erection of the new Hub to replace the present railway station. The investment decisions were subjected to consultation with the inhabitants of Zabrze. Furthermore, the publicity of city authorities intention related to the new investment projects and the population’s approval were to facilitate attracting strategic investors. The question was asked about the kind of advertising and visual techniques to be used to make the suggested new facilities most readable to the Zabrze community, so diversified by age, education and social origin. The choice fell on making several backlit architectural layout models of the new investment projects mentioned above, emphasising that close cooperation between the authors of the models and the designers of the new structures must be initiated, in order to enable up-to-date amendments and corrections to the approved solutions. At the same time, the exhibition of the finished models in places available to the general public was assumed and later accomplished, so that the local community could easily become familiar with the suggested new projects. Thus, it took a few years to create the layout model of the new Hub, presented at several meeting, the model of the Main Key Heritage Drift with accompanying facilities located in a special glass-case at the Wolności Square in the centre of Zabrze and the layout model of the new football stadium exhibited in Platan shopping centre and other buildings in the city centre at various events and meetings. It was also the major element of Zabrze stand at Real Expo Fair in Munich. The wide range of meetings and consultations has brought about, without limitation, a diametrical change of the Hub concept, changes in the facade colour range and the stadium auditorium seating as well as the change to the suggested landscaping of the area directly adjacent to the structure, acceptance of the formal-utility concept of the revitalised drift. The expansion of the communication platform between the city authorities and local community caused the increased interest in the possibility to affect the city policy and made the inhabitants aware of their shared responsibility for the development and future of Zabrze.