On September 4, 2023, Poland's ruling party announced a significant annual investment of 5 billion zloty (€1.1 billion) to upgrade communist-era apartment complexes and their surrounding
areas. The comprehensive plan includes the installation of modern elevators, solar panels, improved insulation, as well as the creation of parks and playgrounds.
These investments are aimed at improving the living conditions of the approximately eight million Poles residing in "large panel" (wielka płyta) buildings constructed from prefabricated concrete slabs. This construction method was widely employed in Poland from the 1960s to the early 1990s, and many of these housing estates are now showing signs of aging.
To address this issue, the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which is seeking an unprecedented third term in the upcoming parliamentary elections in October, has introduced a new program titled "Przyjazne osiedle," translating to "Resident-friendly Estate."
PiS Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized, "All of Poland should be welcoming for people. We don't want better and worse districts. We want residents of these estates to have the best standard of life."
The program aims to revitalize thousands of such apartment blocks in "all towns and large cities in Poland," with Morawiecki committing "billions of zloty from government funds."
The allocated funds will primarily be utilized to enhance energy efficiency, including improved insulation and the installation of solar panels. Last year, the government revealed that nearly 70% of buildings in Poland fail to meet energy efficiency standards.
The initiative will also involve the creation of garages and parking spaces, with the assurance that green areas will not be sacrificed to accommodate them. Additionally, it will focus on establishing playgrounds and parks, as well as upgrading roads and elevators.
Morawiecki highlighted that many elderly individuals reside in these estates, making properly functioning elevators particularly crucial for their well-being.
While unveiling the "Resident-friendly Estate" program, PiS stated that this marks the first of several daily policy announcements leading up to the October elections.
However, financial news website Bankier.pl has pointed out that much of what was promised by the ruling party either already exists, such as the state Thermomodernisation and Renovation Fund, which has operated for over two decades, or is mandated by an EU energy efficiency directive.
Morawiecki acknowledged that some of the program's costs would be covered by EU funds, but he also mentioned that national government and local authorities would contribute.
"We are planning at least 5 billion zloty a year for this program," stated the prime minister, adding, "This will be the case in the first year, but we want to develop this program further." Photo by Zygmunt Put, Wikimedia commons.