Nowy Wełnowiec Is BREEAM Communities Interim Certified

The mixed-use ecological green district of Katowice, Nowy Wełnowiec, developed on an area of 30 ha by Capital Park Group, has received the international BREEAM Communities Interim certificate. This is the first large mixed-use project in Poland to successfully pass the pre-certification.

The BREEAM Communities certificate is one of the most prestigious and demanding certifications of urban projects globally. In the initial phase, when the project is at the design stage, it is awarded an Interim certificate. Nowy Wełnowiec has now been Interim certified. In the next step, the developer plans to apply for a BREEAM Communities Final certificate and aspires to be rated Excellent.

The certification process covered multiple criteria, including an integrated design approach, stakeholder involvement, and sustainability. Hence the relevance of the concept of Nowy Wełnowiec and its many solutions planned, which proves that the project combines environmental, social, and economic aspects, which is the essence of BREEAM Communities.

“Nowy Wełnowiec is not only an investment project on a large scale but also an example of how a contemporary approach to urban planning and social responsibility can shape the future of Polish cities”, said Sylwia Filewicz, head of the Capital Park Group development & implementation department who manages the Nowy Wełnowiec project. “This project expresses our vision where modern spaces coexist with the needs of the local community and the environment. The BREEAM Communities Interim certification, which is one of the most prestigious acknowledgements of sustainability, proves that we have taken the right direction. The certification fills us with pride and motivates us to continue our efforts to create spaces that are friendly to residents and the environment," said Filewicz.

The new green district of Katowice will be developed at the revitalised site of the former Silesia Metallurgical Plant between Wojciech Korfanty Avenue and Konduktorska Street. It will be an open, harmoniously planned space where car traffic will be absent from the public space and relocated to level -1. This solution will provide ample space for recreation and leisure surrounded by lush greenery ensuring freedom and safety of movement for residents, employees, and visitors. Approximately 300,000 sq. m of above-ground floor space will be developed on the 30-hectare location, its largest part to be used for flats. The district will be equipped with functions such as restaurants, retail, entertainment, services, educational and cultural spaces. Green spaces and recreational areas will cover as much as 10 ha, including a four-hectare central park, green squares, plazas, flower meadows, lawns, woodland areas, and ponds. There will be underground car parks and electric vehicle charging stations for drivers, as well as infrastructure for cyclists.

Nowy Wełnowiec addresses contemporary social and climate challenges, which is another key aspect at this stage of certification. The project deploys technology to reduce the environmental impact of the buildings while providing residents with comfortable living conditions. The plans include Poland’s first central waste management and rainwater retention system, the use of renewable energy sources, and green roofs and terraces that will help reduce the urban heat island effect. Green areas will be designed according to the principles of biodiversity and adapted to local climate conditions. All car traffic will be redirected underground, significantly improving the quality of public space.

Katowice’s new district is being planned with much attention to the opinions of residents sought at consultation meetings, helping to adapt the urban planning solutions to the residents’ expectations and everyday needs. The involvement of the residents will not end at the design stage: the investors are planning regular initiatives in the future, ensuring that the new district is co-created and further developed with the local community in mind.

The investor is working on the construction project for the first phase of the project: the central area which will cover 7 ha. It will include flats, service outlets, restaurants, retail, entertainment, squares, and a section of the central park. The construction work is expected to begin in 2026. The renovation of the historic compressor house will start in 2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2026. The investor has received permission to modernise the building, which will be an icon of the new district. The Nowy Wełnowiec concept has been developed by the JEMS Architekci studio. The Sweco Polska team was responsible for the certification.