interreg iii b project - · pdf fileproject part-financed by erdf within the bsr interreg iii...

Project part-financed by ERDF Within the BSR INTERREG III B programme

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INTERREG III B PROJECT

“Sustainable reintegration of post-soviet military areas as a challenge and opportunity for regional development - ReMiDo”

REPORT ON STUDY TOUR TO THE PILOT TERRITORIES

10th -14th of April 2006 and 15th -16th of December, 2006

Municipal enterprise “Vilniaus planas” Vilnius, Lithuania

2007


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Description: organized 4 days study tour by selected group of experts to 5 pilot areas

Chairman: Vilnius City Municipal Government

Objects of the study tour:

1. Paldiski (Estonia);

2. Valga (Estonia);

3. Liepaja (Latvia);

4. Kaunas (Lithuania);

5. Gorzow Wlkp. (Poland).

Seeking to implement the aim of the INTERREG IIIB project ReMiDo, study tour to the pilot

territories was one of the main activities of the project. It was due to the fact that all initial and

real situation information and data about pilot territories in 5 countries was gathered and primary

expert evaluations could be made. Therefore this activity was very important, and many

participants from project countries took part in it.

Study tour was organized on 10-14 April, 2006 by the WP 4 – representatives of Vilnius City

Municipal Administration, who participate in ReMiDo projects. Organizers of the tour aimed to

visit pilot territories in all project countries in rather short period with the most comfortable

schedule and tour route. This aim was reached, despite the fact that pilot territory in Gorzow

Wlkp., Poland, was left behind during the first study tour dates. Gorzow Wlkp. was a separate

object of the next project activities on 15-16 December, 2006.


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List of participants of the study tour:

1. State agency “Housing agency” (Latvia) – 2 persons;

2. Vidzeme development agency (Latvia) - 1 person;

3. Madona District Council” (Latvia) – 1 person;

4. Mārciena pagasts council, Madonas district (Latvija) – 1 person;

5. Kaunas City Municipal Administration (Lithuania) – 3 persons;

6. Vilnius City Municipal Administration (Lithuania) – 3 persons;

7. Valga Town Government (Estonia) – 2 persons;

8. Paldiski Town Government, (Estonia) – 1 person,

9. Institute for Housing and Urban Economics, Uppsala University, (Sweden) – 2 persons;

10. Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) – 1 person;

11. Municipality of Gorzow Wielkopolski (Poland) – 1 person;

12. University of Technology, Business and Design of Wismar (Germany) – 2 persons;

13. HFR real estate business ltd. (Germany) – 1 person.

21 participants registered to the study tour. On the first stage of the study tour project they visited

pilot objects in 3 countries: Estonia - Paldiski, Valga, Latvia - Liepaja and Lithuania -Kaunas.

The starting point of the study tour was meeting of all participants in Tallinn airport. So those

who were the first ones had a possibility to have a short look to the capital of Estonia.


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1st stop of the study tour – PALDISKI (ES)

From the Tallinn airport all participants started the bus tour to the first pilot territory in Estonia –

Paldiski. The town is located 52 km west from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Its total area is

10180 ha. There are 2300 working age people and 1300 workplaces in Paldiski. 191 are

unemployed, because of insufficient or non-existent language skills, insufficient education,

alcohol addiction, and inability to integrate into the new society.

The meeting in Paldiski was organized in Paldiski Town Government, where participants of

study tour had a chance to speak to Paldiski Town Government chairman, who informed about

existing situation in the economical, social and cultural sphere of the city and analyzed existing

problems in the pilot area. ReMiDo project manager in Paldiski Town Government Regina Rass

gave a more detail picture of the project activities and project area, including project schemes,

plans, work schedules. Study would not be successful without the real look at the pilot territory.

So after the meeting in Paldiski Town Government, all participants had a possibility to see

project object – a building on Rae str. 38.


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Pilot object of ReMiDo project - 300 sq. m. (9 flats). The project object is located in the middle

of the town. In the building is located the social department and city library. Near the building there

is a medicine center, warehouse, town government, bus station. Town Park and marketplace locates

quite by.

Conversion of these former soviet officers’ flats into the social dwelling is the aim of the Paldiski

city. The house was the dormitory with 420 rooms for officers. It was built in 1983; its total size

is 7152 sq.m. One part (1/5) of the house is renovated for the city library, social office and for

some other offices.

Current situation:

- New city library and social department are located in the building;

- Poor technical condition of the building;

- Building has no historical importance, but important role in the social life of Paldiski.


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The biggest part of the building needs new renovation project and infrastructure, like electricity,

piping system, water supply. Keeping in mind the city’s need for social housing, the post military

building could serve as a good choice for further development prospects of social housing. As

well, there are some possibilities to build youth centre or extracurricular activity centre for youth

and children in this building. In general project object needs some expertise, preparation of

territorial planning documents, technical projects of building’s (re)construction, new renovation

technologies.


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After the examination of Paldiski pilot territory all project participants moved to Estonian town

Ottepa (40 km from Valga), where they spent the night and the next morning continued the

journey towards Valga.

2nd stop of the study tour – VALGA (Estonia)

The second pilot territory was also in Estonia. Though Valga city has some specific

characteristics – it has a twin town in Latvia – Valka, and the national border goes just between

the two cities. The meeting of project partners was organized by Valga Municipality in a new

sport center. Meelis Linnamagi - the Head of Development Department, Valga Town

Municipality made the overview of present situation in Valga city, describing needs and

development possibilities in the city. The sport center was just one of the positive development

and investment examples in Valga. The participants of the study tour could enjoy other beautiful

places in the city, too.


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Valga has town rights since 1584. It is situated in the South-Estonia, and its twin city Valka is

situated in the North-Latvia. The twin-towns are located on the opposite sides of Estonian-

Latvian border. The area of Valga is 16,5 km², and Valka is 14 km². Together the cities have

approx. 21 000 inhabitants. The distance to Tartu is 89 km, Pärnu 144 km, Tallinn 245 km, Riga

175 km and Pskov 170 km.


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Valga-Valka is a well known beautiful border town with many green parks, clean river Pedeli

and large recreation area in the centre with lakes, swimming beaches and walking paths. There

are also modern culture and hobby centre with theatre, cinema and conference halls, large sport

halls and stadiums. Valga-Valka is an important logistics centre with railway and lorry transport

companies. There are metal, wood, plastic and meat processing factories, clothes and shoe

workshops, furniture and construction companies, total 650 registered enterprises.

Pilot object of ReMiDo project

After the meeting with the representatives of

the city, project partners could examine the

pilot territory, which is quite close to the

modern sport center.

The pilot area is about 11 ha. There are 35

buildings with 387 flats, total size of the

territory is 13 658 sq.m. All buildings have

been mostly (95 %) in the hands of former

Soviet Army: they were used as soldiers

homes and officers families’ dwelling houses, military hospital, military stadium. There are also

some small plots with private houses in the territory.

As representatives of Valga city informed, 4,1 ha of the pilot land is national, 1,3 ha - municipal


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and 5,6 ha is private owed. Concerning the ownership of the building, so 1% of them are

municipal, 2% is national and 97% is private. The participants of the study tour could witness

that most of the buildings were in poor condition, as they were built in 1960-1980’s, and not so

very qualitatively. Some buildings are more than 100 years old and constructed by the Russian

Empire.

Examination of the pilot territory showed that there is the first sport stadium of the city and an

Old Catholic church near by. The territory is located near an old central park, and Amurian cork

tree alley crosses it. In general, surroundings are mostly recreational and residential areas. There

is one small shop, one car service workshop, and one second hand shop in the pilot area. Besides

the pilot area there is the Central Sport Hall, Central Gymnasium, kindergarten and Central

Hospital.

Participants of the tour could encounter some commercial enterprises, too. Representatives of

Valga organized an excursion to the shoe fabric, which was established in the renovated old

building with the help of Finnish investments.


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Actual prices of real estate in the pilot area compared to average prices in the town are lower

because the buildings are in poor condition, however the territory has great potential for the

development as the area is centrally located in the town. But as all participants of the study tour

examined, a lot of work should be done to reach this aim. Future works in the pilot area should

include demolition of constructions that are unsuitable, unnecessary or even illegal, creation of

verdant areas, renovation and construction of new pavements, parking lots, periphery hedges and

fencing, as well as drainage of rainwater.

During the walking tour in the pilot area representatives of Valga city were introducing their

future plans in the territory and expectations from ReMiDo project. As they assured preparation

of territorial planning and strategy of the pilot area had already been initiated by Valga Town

Government. They had hopes that renovation, insulation and heat lost expertise of dwelling

houses could be carried out during the ReMiDo project. It was obvious that old amortized

buildings (service buildings, garages, sheds, storages, fences) needed to be demolished, water,

sewage and storm water networks, historical and old fences needed to be reconstructed. Besides

project activities could include construction of parking lot, street lighting, new pavements for

streets and parking lots besides the dwelling houses.

3rd stop of the study tour – LIEPAJA (Latvia)


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After two days in Estonia participants of the study tour entered the territory of Latvia and moved

towards Liepaja city. Liepaja is located in the west of

Latvia, near the Baltic Sea. It is well known resort in the

Baltic States, so it was great pleasure to visit this city.

Participants of the study tour had a meeting with the

representatives of regional office in the State agency’s

“Housing Agency” Kurdzemes regional office. The

meeting was headed by head of the office - Mr. Jānis

Gailis and Ăirts Lasis, Liepajas City Council

Development Department, Project division project

coordinator. Participants had great possibility to learn

about the pilot project of Liepaja, Karosta military

territory, its present situation and future development

plans.

Liepaja is the third largest city in Latvia. In 2005 there were 85 946 inhabitants in Liepaja.

Population of Liepaja region is 140 000, almost half of all Kurzeme region. In 2004 39 900

people were economically active in the city. Liepaja is an economically active city. The fact

proving this is that in 2002 Liepaja was the third city in Latvia with the highest GDP per capita

(the highest GDP was in Riga (4226Ls), the second was Ventspils (3772Ls)) - 2009Ls. In order

to promote investments in Liepaja there has been established a Special Economic Zone. More

than 2000 ha of Liepaja Special Economic Zone territories are classified as free territories for

different investment projects. The city also has a non-freezing, multifunctional port, strong

industrial capacity and qualified labour force, municipal assistance. Liepaja city is an active city

not only as an economic player, but as an attractive tourism center, too. In 2004 about 21 700

tourists visited the city.

In the official city web site Karosta - former military base from Tsarist and Soviet time - is

indicated as the main city’s attractions. Historically Karosta area has been built at the beginning

of 20th century by the support of Russian Tsar Alexander and it was supposed to be a naval

military basis in the Baltic sea. So the study tour participants could enjoy this possibility. After

the meeting in the regional office, Latvia’s pilot territory was examined in real. Līvija Raăe, SIA

“Vecpilsēta” manager, was leading the excursion. She informed about the present dwelling


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houses in the area, their ownership,

planned works in the territory and

existing problems, such as public

integration and development

possibility.


Karosta – biggest military district in

Baltic States – was established at the

end of 19th century in the south of

Liepaja town. At that time Liepaja was under the Great Russian Empire occupation and it was

well known for its ice-free trade port. In 1940’s the soviet military forces were deployed in

Liepaja town and after that the district of Liepaja – Karosta – became a military port. Then in

early 80’s Liepaja became the military port with submarine base in Karosta district. After the

Soviet Union fall Liepaja became one of the Latvia’s commercial ports, but Karosta district was

fully abandoned by soviet army. Today Liepaja is not a military city any more, but Karosta is a

specific part of Liepaja, it is still a depredated area. The territory of Karosta Industrial Park is

about 40 hectares by the port; about 7.700 inhabitants live there permanently. At the moment the

territory has some social problems as social risk groups are concentrated in the area (prisoners,

disadvantageous families, etc.). Despite these facts, in 2005 the highest density of housing per

capita was in Karosta (26.2 sq.m.), and the biggest housing density owned by municipality also

was in Karosta district (19.8 sq.m. per capita).

ReMiDo pilot object is located in the mentioned Karosta district, Spidolas street 15. It is a two-

stored brick building, built at the beginning of the 20th century (3 Lazaretes street), throughout

the war used for the military purposes. The total size of the building is 1257, 58 sq.m, total flat

space - 970,9 sq.m., living space - 587,0 sq.m., flat facilities - 383,9 sq.m., number of flats – 15.

Liepaja Municipality owns the building at the moment, and it is used as a residential house for

poor families, despite its poor conditions and need to change roof and internal communications.

As the representatives of Liepaja told, there is some social infrastructure in the area – a small

shop in about 300 m distance, a cafeteria in about 1.5 km distance. There is also 1 kindergarten

and 2 schools.


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During the tour in the area representatives informed the participants of the project about future

plans in Karosta district and intentions towards the pilot object. As the participants of the tour

saw themselves, the building needs full reconstruction and demolition of temporary constructions

(new roof, windows, internal communication and improvement of surroundings). Improvements

of the building should include reconstruction of roads, installation of the sewerage, power lines,

and construction of parking area.

After the examination of the project object, participants

of the tour had an opportunity to see some more post-

military soviet areas in the city. The one, which was

shown by the representatives of the city, was in a very

beautiful location near the seaside. As the project

partners could evaluate, the area has very good

development perspective, especially when the city itself

has a motive to create development conception of this

picturesque location.


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The participants of the study tour had the possibility to have a broader look at the area, to visit

local art gallery, where young people of the city very enthusiastically create various art projects,

interesting exhibitions are exposed.


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4th stop of the study tour – KAUNAS (Lithuania)

The 4th stop of the study tour was in Lithuania. Participants visited the second largest city of

Lithuania – Kaunas. Total area of the city is 157 sq. km. Population of the city - 367,000,

11% of total population in Lithuania. Representative of Kaunas City Municipal Administration -

Jovita Tirvien÷ – organized a meeting of project participants in Kaunas City Municipality.

Representatives of Municipal Administration, representatives of local media took part in the

meeting. Participants of the study tour had a possibility to learn about the pilot area in Kaunas.

The former military area in Kaunas city – Panemune barracks – is near the main street of

Panemune area (south-eastern part of

Kaunas city) and the Nemunas river,

not far from the city center and Via

Baltica highway. Panemun÷ military

town - part of Kaunas fortification -

was started to built at the end of the

XIX century. It is included into the

register of immovable cultural

heritage of Lithuania Republic.

The territory of Panemune barracks

is not integrated into the city, but it is

important part of the city because of

its historical and cultural value.

After the meeting in Kaunas City

Municipality participants of the

study tour moved to the pilot area for

the more detail examination of its

real situation. Representatives of the

local media also accompanied the

group, and took some interviews

from the project partners on their

impressions about the pilot area and

its development perspectives.


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Project area (23.15 ha) is a big complex of buildings (mainly cottages or two-storey buildings

from red bricks), including stadium, streets and greenery (rows of trees, etc.). Part of this military

town is owned by the Army of Lithuania. It is maintained and used by the Engineering Battalion.

The territory after the World War II was used by the Soviet army soldiers. Now the land in the

pilot territory is owned by the state. Kaunas City Municipality owns 9 derelict buildings in the

military town (Kareivinių street 11). There are some private buildings (used as living houses),

some buildings are leased for private companies. There is a stadium in the territory and it is

leased for public organization Kaunas Football – Baseball club.

Part of this military town is owned by the Ministry of Defence. It is maintained and used by

engineer battalion. Another part is derelict. Though the buildings in the territory are valuable,

they are maintained not effectively and stay in a bad condition.

The artillery battalion of the Kaunas fortress and

subunit of rider artillery was founded in this

military town. Buildings of the military town are

different in their size and destination. There

were such buildings as: small storages, which

were covered with earth; one-storey household

buildings; stables; bath-house; two-storey

buildings of red breaks; building of medical


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service; office; big three-storey building of the barracks.

The territory has a detail plan, it was prepared in 2004. As the representatives of Kaunas City

Municipality told, according to the Master Plan of Kaunas City, there are plans to built low-rise

commercial and residential buildings in the pilot territory. But at the moment of the study tour

Municipality had no possibilities to renovate and to revitalize military buildings using public

investment. So their intentions should include attraction of private investors. As Jovita Tirvien÷

told that it is planned to prepare feasibility study for the development of the pilot area and

technical project for development of public infrastructure (access road, local streets, parking

places other public places etc.) in the pilot area.

The participants of the study tour had the possibility to visit engineering battalion of J.Vitkus,

which uses part of the buildings in the military town. This battalion was a good example of the

positive use of the former military buildings.


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It was an interesting part of the tour as the participants had a possibility to look at the everyday

life conditions of the Lithuanian army. Representative of the engineering battalion presented the

territory owned by the Defence Ministry of the Republic of Lithuania, also talked about the task

of the battalion to preserve remaining buildings in the military territory.

The first stage of the study tour was finished in Kaunas City. Participants of the tour had no

possibility to see the last pilot object in Gorzow Wlkp. (Poland) on this tour. But the task of WP4

was accomplished later. On 15-16 December, 2006 representatives of Gorzow Wlkp. organized a

conference in the city and finished the study tour – organized the visit to the last pilot area.


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5th stop of the study tour – GORZOW Wlkp. (Poland)

Gorzów - the capital of the Lubuskie Voivodship - is a picturesque city, situated on seven hills.

Convenient travelling conditions and ideal location of the city - at the international transportation

route crossing, just 40 km away from the western border of Poland make Gorzów easily

accessible. The size of the City of Gorzów Wielkopolski is 86 km2. Number of inhabitants: in

2005 – 125416, 65 % of them are in productive age. Rate of unemployment: 11,2 % (as of 31 Jul.

2006). Gross income per inhabitant of the voivodship in comparison to capital city is 86,5 %.

Over 16 000 businesses (98% in private sector), 340 joint – venture companies are located in

Gorzow.

Gorzów is situated in the centre of the 'green lungs' area of Poland, and is a favourable tourist

destination. The area around Gorzów boasts lakes, rivers and woodland, including nature

reserves and national parks. About 50km from Gorzów is Europe's largest bat colony and the

participants of the ReMiDo Project had the possibility to visit it with additional aims.

Gorzow is rapidly developing town. In years 1995-2003 over 66 mln. PLN (~17 mln EURO)

were allocated from the EU Funds for realization of projects. New investments were

concentrated towards development and modernization of communication systems, building of

sewage system, sports and recreational infrastructure development (North Diametral Route;

Sports and Rehabilitation Center "Słowianka„).


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Agenda of the tour to Gorzow Wlkp. consisted of few events. First of all, project partners organized

ReMiDo project meeting-conference in Gorzow Higher School of Business. During the conference

very important information about Poland’s Government policy due to post-military territories, role

of self-government in reuse of post military territories, obtaining and adaptation of post military

objects for the new public functions was gathered. Knowledge about INTERREG Initiative as a tool

reinforcing regional development was improved. The most important was that during the

conference the participants of the project got data about Gorzów Wielkopolski participation in

ReMiDo project and performed project activities in the city. Presentation of student’s competition

„Polygon“ and its results was very useful. Various development visions and possibilities in the pilot

territory in Poland, conception of local spatial development plan were introduced.


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Despite theoretical information during the conference the participants of the tour went to the

pilot area. Area is about 450 ha. The pilot object is located in the north – west outskirts of the

city. The land in the pilot area belongs to two landowners: Municipality of Gorzów Wielkopolski

and State Treasury in use of Institute of Plants Breeding and Acclimation.

The area was used as military training grounds, but at the end of the 90’s there was a reform in

the Polish Military, thereupon military troops were forced to leave the city. Then the area

became the property of the Military Properties Agency and after negotiations with the city

authorities it was decided to integrate it into the city borders in 2001.

As participants of the tour seen, the area is suitable for the development of tourism, sport

infrastructure, industry or production. The city itself has certain preferred functions of this territory

(according to „The Study of conditions and directions of spatial development of the City of Gorzów

Wielkopolski”): public and commercial tourism services; sport services; services and facilities for

sport and recreation; green parks. At the moment the territory is surrounded by forests, fallow lands

and agriculture area, but there are some plans to develop new dwelling district, new service district

near by. The pilot area has rather good transport infrastructure connection - road S3 Świnoujście –

Jakuszyce - a part of international road Malmo (Sweden)– Chania (Greece).

Participants of the tour had very rich programme in

Gorzow city. They got not only theoretical and

practical view of the pilot area, but were able to

experience very warm cultural activity and trip to

one more military object in Poland.


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Almost all project partners were really astonished by the scale of the military object in Pniewy,

Miedzyrzecki Rejon Umocniony – post military bunkers alongside Polish-German border. Bunkers

were constructed before the World War II by Hitler. A Russian speaking guide told many

interesting facts about this object and its history. At the moment the object is a very positive

example of the use of post military objects for the tourism. Despite the military theme, there is the

largest bat colony in the territory. In general it was very useful trip as the project experts expanded

their knowledge about post military objects.


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SUMMARY.

PALDISKI

Former use: military dormitory with

420 rooms for officers. Built in 1983

Size: house is 7152 m2,

Object of the pilot project: 300 sq. m.

(9 flats);

Current situation: city library and

social department; poor technical

condition of the building; building has

no historical importance, but high role

in the social life of Paldiski.

VALGA

Former use: buildings have been

mostly (95 %) in the hands of former

Soviet Army: used as homes and

dwelling houses for soldiers and

officers, as military hospital, military

stadium.

Size: the pilot area is 11 ha. There are

35 buildings, 13 658 sq.m of space,

387 flats.

Current situation: 4,1 ha – national

ownership, 1,3 ha – municipal

ownership, 5,6 ha - private ownership.

Housing ownership is: 1% municipal,

2% national, 97% private.


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LIEPAJA

Former use: the building was built in

the beginning of 20th century, as a

residential part of military fortress of

Karosta district.

Size: the pilot object is 1257,58 sq.m.

Current situation: there are 15 living

flats, which are rented by Liepaja

municipality. The building is owned

by the Municipality, it is in poor

technical condition, depreciated. Roof

and internal communications should be

changed.

KAUNAS

Former use: Panemun÷ military town –

part of Kaunas fortification - was used

for military purposes.

Size: project area (23.15 ha) is a big

complex of buildings, including stadium,

streets and greenery.

Current situation: Buildings are

derelict, half demolished. Detailed plan

for the territory is prepared and approved.

Part of this military town is owned by

the Army of Lithuania. It is maintained

and used by the Engineering Battalion.


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Kaunas City Municipality owns 9 derelict

buildings of the military town.

GORZOW WLKP.

Former use: military training

grounds

Size: about 450 ha.

Current situation: property of

two landowners Municipality of

Gorzów Wielkopolski and State

Treasury. Preferred functions:

public and commercial tourism

services; sport services; services

and facilities for sport and

recreation; green parks areas.

interreg iii b project - · pdf fileproject part-financed by erdf within the bsr interreg iii...

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