Euro 2012: Poland

Euro 2012

POLAND - In spite of the optimistic PR and UEFA's still positive pronouncements on Euro 2012 preparations in Poland and Ukraine, there are reservations about the organizational aspects of the event. The main concerns relate to local infrastructure, inadequate accommodation for fans and tourists, and poor air and road communications in the host cities. The local authorities are doing their best to find solutions to the problems: one idea is to import luxury Dutch hotel cruise ships to Gdansk and, instead of expanding Poznan’s airport, to use smaller airfields in surrounding towns to meet the demand. Infrastructure aside, arena development is making rapid progress: the Ukrainian stadium in Dniepropietrovsk opened in September, the construction of a national stadium in Warsaw is scheduled to begin in October and the funding for the other locations is in place. All this is watched over by UEFA, which periodically releases reports in easily understood traffic light colours. At the time A10 went to press it was still green, but the football organization has warned Poland and Ukraine they still risk losing their rights to stage Euro 2012 if they do not keep their promises.

SILESIA STADIUM, CHORZOW (GMP ARCHITEKTEN)

The Silesia Stadium is an adaptation of the existing 1950s stadium that proudly housed the games of the Polish national football team. Its redevelopment by GMP Architekten will include a reduction of grandstand capacity to 50,000 as well as a steel roofing system with a transparent cladding. Supported by 40 columns, the framework will have a rugged appearance similar to the many coalmining structures in the region. The stadium, which resembles a crown, will light up the night sky when illuminated.

DNIPRO STADIUM, DNIPROPETROVSK (HOCHTIEF CONSTRUCTION AG)

The 31,000-seat Dnipro Stadium is based on the stadium in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The architecture of the brand new building by Hochtief Construction exposes the core structure and so renounces the idea of the stadium as urban landmark. The main advantage of the privately financed building is the fact that it will soon serve the general public. The stadium replaces the old 1950s arena, which was turned into a market place in the 1990s. Close to the city centre, it is surrounded by narrow streets that will make traffic management difficult during matches.

DONBASS STADIUM, DONETSK (ARUP SPORT)

Donbass Stadium is the first in Eastern Europe to satisfy UEFA's five-star standards. The chosen design by Arup Sport is characterized by a steel frame roof, sloping north to south, supported by reinforced concrete columns. The transparent outer facade allows views in and out. The stadium is scheduled for handover at the end of 2008. It is expected to have a positive influence on the surrounding area, including the park and existing Olympic Stadium, exhibition and entertainment complexes.

BALTIC ARENA, GDANSK (RKW RHODE KELLERMANN WAWROWSKY)

The Baltic Arena will be built in the northern part of the city where the coast meets the Baltic Sea. The design by RKW is a coded reference to the sea, inspired by the colour of amber, the oval shape of rocks washed up on the shore and the wooden hulls of boats. The arena, which will hold 44,000 spectators, has a shell made of synthetic material. Although budget cutbacks forced the developer to abandon ideas for an enclosing dome and movable grass surface, this arena looks set to become a new landmark.

LECH STADIUM, POZNAN (MODERN CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS)

Poznan's municipal stadium was erected at the end of the 1960s for the local football league. Thanks to Modern Construction Systems, it is now undergoing major refurbishment and extension. The latter consists of adding several tiers to the existing grandstand, as well as building a completely new one. The stadium will have a seating capacity of 50,000 and will be roofed with a synthetic membrane stretched over a steel frame. Dressed in the blue and white colours of the local league, it is regarded as an engineering rather than architectural work.

NATIONAL STADIUM, WARSAW (JSK ARCHITEKTEN)

The National Stadium in Poland's capital will be located on the site of the existing 1950s stadium. In the 1990s, after the fall of communism, the stadium was turned into 'Jarmark Europa', the biggest market in Europe. The open structure is located in the city centre on the banks of the River Vistula, surrounded by greenery where a National Sports Centre will be built in the near future. The playing field will be raised to allow space underneath for 1700 cars. The multi-functional venue by JSK Architekten, topped by an openable membrane roof, is designed to hold 55,000 spectators. The stadium, which is in the colours of the national flag, resembles a red and white wicker basket, which is supposedly recognized as a typical product of Poland.

MUNICIPAL STADIUM, WROCLAW (JSK ARCHITEKTEN)

The Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw will be located on the still sparsely developed western outskirts of the city. Designed by JSK Architekten to hold 44,000 spectators, this stadium does not draw on national symbolism. On the contrary, it is reminiscent of a Chinese lantern (or perhaps Massimiliano Fuksas' new music hall in Strasbourg). The building will be clad in a translucent layer of teflon-coated fibreglass. The dome, which shelters all seating areas, will also be finished with a transparent fibreglass material, allowing unlimited possibilities for illuminating the exterior – ranging from the national colours to the colours of local football teams.