Pawning the city hall
Ciechanow - Sustainable Town, Poland
Best Practice UN-Habitat 2002

Lead Idea

When Ciechanow was made a provincial capital, it was faced with a new situation which called for a sustainable planning concept. A committee was set up with members from all walks of life who were put in charge of creating the concept, raising the necessary funds and ultimately implementing the idea. The success to date includes a new purification plant, a state-of-the-art thermal power station, as well as a circle of friends of literature.

The issue at stake

In 1975, Ciechanow was made a provincial capital. During the 14 years of industrialisation and the afflux from the surrounding areas which followed, the population doubled from 24,000 to 48,000. Neither the infrastructure, nor the environment or social facilities were able to keep up with the changes. Economic development too suffered a serious crisis in the 90ies.

Possible solutions, resources

A committee was established with members from all areas of the city administration. Its task was to draw up a concept for: "Ciechanow - healthy town", a project that was soon renamed "- sustainable town" and which included a set of comprehensive measures. The lion share of the budget was provided by the municipality, with additional funding from the state, the World Bank, the EU and some banks too. To cover the costs the town even pawned the city hall for a short period of time.

Process, effects

Once sufficient funds were generated, it was not difficult to find the suitable technology and properly trained personnel. An information campaign was launched to attract the interest of the local population. Major construction projects were carried out, such as building a state-of-the-art purification plant, replacing the old coal-fired power station by a thermal one, reorganising waste collection and renovating the hospital. Special emphasis was also placed on cultural aspects, including a literature week and a literature centre.

Experiences, transferability
Despite the size of the project all of the loans were repaid successfully. The new businesses have generated jobs and have given a boost to the economy. There are plans to build a thermal waste recycling plant, to draw up a new traffic master plan, as well as to dam up the river Lydynia and create a leisure time park. In summary, all of the objectives of the Rio summit will be adhered to and each steps is easily transferable to other cities in the transition countries.

Size of municipality: provincial capital
Participation: committee with representatives from different fields of competency
Financing: municipality, state, EU, World Bank and private banks