Purpose: Krakow encourages meaningful intercultural mixing and interaction in many different public spaces, including museums, libraries, parks and squares.
Stimulus/Rationale: Promoting Interculturalism and creating inclusive public spaces that facilitate meaningful interaction among Krakow’s diverse population. By designing parks and public activities that highlight intercultural connections, the project aims to encourage engagement among residents. Providing multilingual resources, such as audio guides in Ukrainian and English, is a deliberate move to make Krakow’s public spaces and educational offerings accessible to diverse, multiethnic communities, especially in light of the recent arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
Process: In parks there are several ‘green accents’ to show intercultural relations. The Chancellery of the Mayor helped to create small architectural structures donated by partner cities and placed in several pocket parks. There is a vertical garden to mark the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Krakow and Frankfurt am Main, 25 oak trees planted for the 25th anniversary of partnership between Krakow and Lviv and a small-leaved lime tree to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Norwegian funds and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Norway. An area called “Little Croatia” was created in the Bagry Park in cooperation with the Croatian Consul in Krakow.
Activities organized by the Board of Urban Greenery, for instance the Parkobus in the Green, Cinema on the Grass, events such as “Edible Krakow FEST” or neighbourhood picnics, have all involved almost all residents.
Foreigner residents also volunteer in different activities such as cleaning or planting. Often such volunteer actions are initiated by companies that employ people of different nationalities and backgrounds. In addition, the Centre for Environmental Education “Symbiosis"” provides audio guides in Ukrainian and English to its permanent exhibition, which increases the accessibility of the educational offer for intercultural groups. UNHCR also organised a meeting for refugees from Ukraine to initiate the creation of a community garden, which encouraged more participants from Ukraine in volunteering activities.
Impact: By creating symbolic green spaces and organising public events, the project promotes meaningful interactions between residents from different backgrounds. These green spaces serve as a meaningful space dedicated to the principle of interculturalism. The installation of architectural elements and trees commemorating Krakow's international partnerships strengthens the city's global connections. These gestures create a visible reminder of Krakow's openness to international cooperation. The project bridges local and international perspectives by celebrating Krakow's interculturalism. Incorporating international elements into public spaces allows residents to take pride in both their local heritage and the city's global connections. In general, the action creates opportunities for foreigners, refugees and residents to engage with each other and with Krakow's intercultural history and present.
