Banging heads together

"The dynamic development of Warsaw makes it the biggest property market in the country. It is important for large development projects to be coordinated with the growth of the city. We are hoping that the cooperation that we have started will result in a higher quality of architectural designs being implemented and in new developments being properly connected to other areas in the city and to the whole Warsaw conurbation. It is the first dialogue of this type in the country," declares the deputy mayor of Warsaw, Jacek Wojciechowicz.

Straight to the point
The aims of the cooperation agreed upon include: sustainable spatial planning, improving Warsaw's image, solving current problems involving investors and the local government, drawing up cooperation rules for the urban infrastructure that accompany residential construction, improving the quality of the architectural designs, and solving problems in public and welfare housing. "The idea for the agreement came about due to the difficulties of investors working with the city administration on two levels. Firstly, there was a divergence between the city's investment plans, i.e. the location of roads, waterworks, sewage systems as well as public infrastructure, and the developers' plans, which are guided by the interest of apartment buyers in various locations. The second urgent issue in need of resolution is that the procedures are not proceeding as efficiently as they could," says Jacek Bielecki, general director of the Polish Association of Developers. Two years ago the Association conducted a survey in which Warsaw was ranked as one of the Polish cities where administrative procedures for the construction industry take the longest. Such business can be done much quicker in Gdynia and Gdańsk. This year the Association is carrying out another survey - to be published at the end of September. However, municipal procedures are clearly still extremely long. "We want to share our knowledge and experience with the city, because this indicates where people are looking for apartments. It is worthwhile for the city authorities to take account of this knowledge while planning development," argues Jacek Bielecki.

Who will give the advice?
Two teams are to be established within 45 days of the signing of the agreement, which are to include representatives of the city and the Association. One is to deal with issues regarding urban infrastructure and the other with Warsaw's spatial planning. Both sides will delegate five representatives who will discuss these topics at least twice a year. "The number of meetings might increase. However, during the meetings we will not be discussing current matters or problems, but will be dealing with a common vision for the capital city," adds Jacek Bielecki. The Association also suggests that the buyout of areas earmarked for roads should take place at the land purchase price which was paid by any given developer. The claims of Polnord itself regarding the buyout of land for roads exceed PLN 500 mln at this point.

Despite the Association suggesting to the city that the agreement should be indefinite, it has been decided that it will initially last no longer than two years. As the parties say themselves, the benefits to be derived from such cooperation can only be assessed after a year at the earliest. So, as usual, we will just have to wait and see...

Zuzanna Wiak