The open courtyard at Centrum Kultury Zamek in Poznań has been recognised in Poland’s Lider Dostępności accessibility awards, receiving an award in the Public Space category.
The distinction was presented during the 11th edition of the architectural and urban planning competition, with the awards ceremony taking place at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw.
The competition recognises buildings and public spaces where accessibility has been incorporated into their design or redevelopment, with particular attention paid to the needs of people with disabilities and other users with specific accessibility requirements.
For Poznań, the award puts one of the city centre’s recently modernised public spaces among a national group of projects recognised for their approach to accessible urban design.
A public space designed for different users
The Open Courtyard at CK Zamek is part of the wider area around the former Imperial Castle, one of Poznań's best-known landmarks and an important cultural venue.
In the Public Space category, the competition considers a broad range of places used by local communities, including squares, markets, parks, gardens, recreational areas, playgrounds, promenades and transport spaces.
The focus is not simply on whether a space can be physically entered. The award programme looks at how accessibility is incorporated into the way public places are designed and modernised, helping accommodate people with different mobility and access needs.
A recognition for Poznań’s cultural centre
The award adds another national recognition to the work carried out around one of Poznań’s most prominent cultural institutions.
The former Imperial Castle is now home to a wide programme of exhibitions, performances, film screenings, workshops and other cultural activities, attracting both Poznań residents and visitors throughout the year.
An accessible outdoor space is particularly relevant for a venue that serves such a broad audience. Public areas around cultural institutions can form part of the visitor experience before an event even begins, as well as providing places for people to meet, rest and spend time in the city centre.
The Lider Dostępności award places the Open Courtyard within a national conversation about how Polish cities can make their public spaces work for a wider range of people.
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Source and image credit: poznan.pl
