Lodz, the former textile industry empire, today is a city of modern technologies, a city of culture and grand events. It is a metropolis where a landscape of industrial architecture mixes with silhouettes of the 20th century office buildings, production halls, culture and sports buildings.
A small settlement, that in 1423 was granted civic rights, was thriving at the beginning of the 19th century. Łódź became one of the Europe’s biggest and fastest growing textile industry centre. At that time, a new identity of the city-“a promised land” and “a city of many cultures” was created. The city where people of different nationalities and religions shared the same dream of a success. Despite the differences they were able to build the city together.
Today the rhythm of life in Lodzis no longer determined by factories’ sirens and rattling of looms’ shuttles. The city is still attracting industrialists who appreciate its central location, close proximity to the capital, investors- friendly policy of the municipality, scientific and human resources. Lodz authorities undertake many actions in order to improve the city attractiveness- develop the airport, invest in new roads and quality of railway infrastructure. As a result, Łódź is located at the top of attractiveness ratings. It became a place of interest for such powerful companies as: Infosys, BSH, Gillette, Fujitsu Services, Hutchinson and other household equipment manufacturers as well as finance and accounting centers of well known companies.
Lodz also constitutes a good example of advanced revitalization processes with Europe’s famous Manufaktura among many. A few years back, architects and designers brought back to life this historic industrial complex of Izrael Poznański and changed it into modern trade, entertainment, culture and recreation centre. Nowadays the biggest challenge for the city is the revitalization process of historic thermal power plant EC-1 together with modernization of the area which is to become a New Centre of Lodz.
In the recent years, an identity of Lodz as a city of culture has been created. Former avant-garde and artistic experiment centre becomes a modern art centre. Museums look after the heritage of pre-war artists and young works of art change postindustrial interiors into avant-garde art centers. Growing every year calendar of Lodz festivals, became a cultural “brand” of our city - “ Festival Lodz”.
Lodz is a city of young and active people. During the day one can meet them at twenty universities and during the night they can be found in one of Lodz pubs, hundred of which are located along Piotrkowska street alone. Those who like green areas can spend their time in one of 30 parks, go to Łagiewniki - the biggest urban wood in Europe or have fun at “Fala” – a modern aqua park. For the last years, a multipurpose hall, one of the biggest building of this kind in Poland, has been a great success of the city. Thanks to its existence Lodz can host the concerts of the world’s biggest artists, sports games and grand fair events.
Lodz is a city of future.
Thursday, 17 May 2012 r.
