Nieoficjalna mapa Łodzi [Unofficial map of Lodz]
The project, entitled "Nieoficjalna mapa Łodzi" aims to put into practice the existing dictionary of Lodz's unofficial urban names, authored by project manager Dr Justyna Groblińska ("Nieoficjalne nazewnictwo miejskie Łodzi. Słownik"). This collection of over 350 names, transferred from the census to an interactive map – drawn from linguistic communication and applied to a cartographic and online context – is intended to document Lodz’s past, present and present realities. Names taken from Dr. Groblińska's dictionary of urban names will be paired with photographs (both archival and those created specifically for the project) and oral histories from the Miastograf collection.
The team:
- Dr Justyna Groblińska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Philology, Institute of Romance Studies, Department of Italian Studies;
- Prof. Jana Vukić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology;
- Mateusz Patalan, student of "Romance languages", University of Lodz;
- Lana Mamula, student of "Sociology and Ethnology & Cultural Anthropology", University of Zagreb;
- Marta Madejska, Stowarzyszenie Topografie.
Znam swoje prawa – informator dla kobiet doznających przemocy domowej [I know my rights – a guide for women experiencing domestic violence]
The main goal of the project is to develop, share and implement informational and educational materials in the form of a guide for individuals experiencing domestic and gender-based violence who contact the "Ktoś" Foundation for assistance. Specific goals include increasing legal awareness among those affected by violence, facilitating access to information about available support options, preparing individuals for meetings with lawyers and psychologists, and fostering a sense of empowerment and security among those who receive the Foundation's assistance.
The team:
- Dr Anna Głogowska-Balcerzak, University of Lodz, Faculty of Law and Administration, Department of Public International Law and International Relations;
- Prof. Zoran Burić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, Department of Criminal Procedure;
- Wojciech Niewiadomski, student of "Law", University of Lodz;
- Zuzanna Piórkowska, student of "Law", University of Lodz;
- Magdalena Kijańska, Fundacja Ktoś.
Miasto przyjazne dzieciom: badanie czystości mikrobiologicznej piaskownic w kontekście zdrowia publicznego i zrównoważonego rozwoju [Child-friendly city: examining the microbiological purity of sandboxes in the context of public health and sustainable development]
The aim of the project is to assess the microbiological purity of sand in municipal sandboxes located in playgrounds in Lodz. These areas, frequently used by children, may be exposed to biological contamination, posing a potential sanitary and epidemiological threat. The project is research-based and will not only assess the current state of microbiological purity but also formulate recommendations to support children's health safety in public spaces.
The team:
- dr hab. Sylwia Różalska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Health, Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology; Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology;
- Prof. Tomislav Ivanković, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
- Patrycja Lemańska, student of "Biotechnology", University of Lodz;
- Marta Stachowska, student of "Biotechnology", University of Lodz;
- Ines Bedeković, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
- Dr Szymon Kostrzewski, Department of Health and Social Affairs, City of Lodz Office.
CityBiome – odkrywając miejski mikrobiom Łodzi – w kierunku środowiska bezpiecznego i przyjaznego mieszkańcom [CityBiome – discovering the urban microbiome of Lodz – towards a safe and resident-friendly environment]
The CityBiome project is to examine the microbiome of Lodz's urban environment – with particular emphasis on municipal sewage and stormwater – for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and bacteriophages, viruses that attack only bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant ones. The project aims to determine the potential of bacteriophages as natural agents that reduce the occurrence of pathogens (especially antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria) in the urban environment. The project represents an innovative approach to improving water quality, and thus the quality of life for city residents, by utilising naturally occurring factors and processes in the environment.
The team:
- Dr Magdalena Moryl, Universty of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Health, Department of Biology of Bacteria;
- Prof. Jasna Hrenovic, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Biology Department;
- Weronika Morgaś, student of "Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Laboratory Diagnostics", University of Lodz;
- Blanka Dadic, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
- Anna Wierzbicka, Department of Environmental Management, City of Lodz Office.
Partycypacja społeczna w procesach adaptacji miast do zmiany klimatu. Studium porównawcze miast postindustrialnych: Łodzi i Cork [Social Participation in Urban Adaptation to Climate Change: A Comparative Study of Post-Industrial Cities: Lodz and Cork]
The aim of the research is to review the participation tools used in Lodz and Cork and to identify good practices, as well as gaps and barriers in conducting participatory processes. To achieve this goal, a variety of research methods will be used, including a case study (Lodz and Cork), in-depth interviews with representatives from Cork, and FGI with student representatives from Cork and Lodz.
The team:
- Dr Ewa Boryczka, University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, Department of Regional Economics and Environment / University of Lodz Interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Studies;
- Dr Douglas Cubie, School of Law, University College Cork;
- Maria Olbert, student of "EcoCity", University of Lodz;
- Jakub Majewski, student of "EcoCity", University of Lodz;
- Niamh Guiry, student of "Law", School of Law, University College Cork;
- Agata Burlińska, City of Lodz.
Zieleń jako narzędzie adaptacji: społecznie zakorzenione innowacje w miastach UNIC [Greenery as a Tool for Adaptation: Socially Embedded Innovation in UNIC Cities]
The project's primary goal is to develop and implement a new functionality for this tool: a module for estimating the compensatory (replacement) value of urban trees. Furthermore, through multi-stakeholder cooperation, the project aims to foster inter-university relations within the UNIC Alliance, exchanging best practices in urban greenery management and jointly developing comparative analyses and recommendations for post-industrial cities. We are interested not only in the environmental but also the social and functional dimensions of greenery – therefore, the project is strongly grounded in a geographical and social approach.
The team:
- Dr Patrycja Grzyś, University of Lodz, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Department of Regional and Social Geography;
- dr hab. Paulina Tobiasz-Lis, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Department of Regional and Social Geography;
- prof. Pierre Ozer, University of Liège, Department of Environmental Sciences and Management (RICHES Laboratory);
- Szymon Grodzki, student of "Geoinformation", University of Lodz;
- Szymon Iwanowski, Stowarzyszenie Społecznie Zaangażowani.
Cząsteczki z misją: od syntezy do cytotoksyczności [Molecules with a Mission: From Synthesis to Cytotoxicity]
The project aims to analyse chemical compounds with potential cytotoxic effects in the context of the relationship between their structure and biological activity. The research will be theoretical in nature and will be based on analysis of the scientific literature, available databases and computational tools. The main goal is to develop a list of compounds with therapeutic potential and to assess selected chemical and biological parameters that may be relevant to their cytotoxicity.
The team:
- Dr Aneta Kosińska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Organic Chemistry;
- Prof. Tomislav Ivanković, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
- Aleksandra Bałdys, student of "Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry with Business Elements ", University of Lodz;
- Paola Karabogdan, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
- dr hab. Prof. CBMiM Marek Brzeziński, Polskie Towarzystwo Chemiczne.
Sztuka współczesna miast wielokulturowych: Łodzi i Zagrzebia – ponad podziałami – wzajemne poznanie jako droga do akceptacji różnorodności i otwarcia na dialog wśród młodej społeczności miejskiej [Contemporary art in multicultural cities: Lodz and Zagreb – beyond divisions – mutual understanding as a path to acceptance of diversity and openness to dialogue among the young urban community]
The project goal is to increase the awareness of the young urban community of the cultural diversity of the inhabitants of post-industrial cities reflected in contemporary art – using the examples of Lodz and Zagreb – and, through the knowledge acquired by students and passed on, to contribute to the development of attitudes of tolerance and acceptance of people with different skin colour, nationality and culture.
The team:
- Prof. Marzena Woźniak-Łabieniec, University of Lodz, Faculty of Philology, Department of 20th-and 21st-Century Polish Literature;
- Dr Kamila Kwiatkowska, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy; Instytut of West Slavic Languages and Literatures; Department of Language and Literature;
- Zuzanna Pędziejewska, student "Polish Philology", Univeristy of Lodz;
- Zuzanna Walczak, student of " Polish Philology", Univeristy of Lodz;
- Jakub Łabieniec, student of Polish Philology", Univeristy of Lodz;
- Ivana Reljanovic, student of "Humanities and Social Sciences", University of Zagreb;
- Dr Leszek Karczewski, Museum of Art in Lodzi.
Rewitalizacja oczami mieszkańców: społeczna ocena rewitalizacji obszaru I w Łodzi (ulice: Rewolucji 1905 r. – Jaracza – Wschodnia – Kilińskiego), ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem ulicy Włókienniczej [Revitalisation through the eyes of residents: social assessment of the revitalisation of area I in Lodz (streets: Rewolucji 1905 r. – Jaracza – Wschodnia – Kilińskiego), with particular emphasis on Włókiennicza Street]
The aim of the project is to assess the social dimension of the revitalisation carried out in the closed area of Rewolucji 1905 r. – Jaracza – Wschodnia – Kilińskiego streets in Lodz (1st revitalisation area), with particular emphasis on Włókiennicza Street, considered by the city authorities as a flagship investment.
The project addressed three research questions:
- How did the revitalisation process impact the housing conditions of the local community?
- What was the effectiveness of the revitalisation process in terms of social inclusion and resident participation in community life?
- Did revitalisation activities improve residents' access to high-quality public spaces?
The team:
- Dr Jagoda Adamus, University of Lodz, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, Social-Ecological Systems Analysis Lab;
- Dr Elnaz Sarkheyl, Malmö University, Department of Urban Studies;
- Weronika Dąbrowicz, student of "Spatial Management", University of Lodz;
Jakub Kowalski, Łódzkie Stowarzyszenie Lokatorów.
Naturalni sprzymierzeńcy w ochronie zieleni miejskiej: badania nad występowaniem grzybów entomopatogenicznych jako biologicznych antagonistów szkodników [Natural allies in the protection of urban greenery: research on the occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi as biological antagonists of pests]
The aim of the project is to assess the occurrence and abundance of entomopathogenic fungi in soils of urban green areas in the Lodz area. Urban green spaces, such as squares, flowerbeds, parks and ornamental plantings, are exposed to numerous plant pests, including the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) and other phytophagous insects that damage ornamental shrubs and trees. Entomopathogenic fungi play a crucial role as natural enemies of insects, so their presence and activity in urban soils can be an important element of biological plant protection, supporting sustainable urban greenery management.
The team:
- Dr Monika Nowak, Universty of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Health, Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology / Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology;
- Dr Marta Nowak-Lange, Universty of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Health, Department of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology / Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology;
- Prof. Silvija Cerni, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
- Maciej Krasowski, student of "Biotechnoloy", University of Lodz;
- Emilia Nowak, student of "Biotechnoloy", University of Lodz;
- Alina Gojšić, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
- Anna Wierzbicka, Department of Environmental Management, City of Lodz Office.
Pogłosy miast – współsłyszenie postindustrialnej przeszłości i dźwiękowej przyszłości [Echoes of cities – co-hearing the post-industrial past and the sonic future
The goal of the project is to develop listening practices as a form of cognition and care that fosters residents' renewed relationships with their surroundings and strengthens their sense of shared responsibility for the city's future. The project responds to the partner organisation's need to build a sound-sensitive audience for contemporary art and develop the city of Lodz's cultural offer.
By combining research and artistic methods and reflecting on the role of sound in shaping urban identity, the project encourages participants to listen more attentively to the city: its rhythms, conflicts, silences and resonances. The project harnesses the potential of the acoustic turn – the sonic turn in the humanities and urban studies – to collaboratively imagine a more sustainable and inclusive future.
The team:
- Dr Justyna Anders-Morawska, University of lodz, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Department of International Marketing and Retailing;
- Dr Michał Sędkowski, University of lodz, Faculty of International and Political Studies, Department of International Marketing and Retailing;
- Dr Jeffrey Weeter, University College Cork, School of Film, Music and Theatre, Music Department;
- Dr Denis Linehan, University College Cork, School of the Human Environment, Department of Geography;
- Pola Piekarska, student of "International Cultural Studies", University of Lodz;
- Jakub Janiak, student of "International Marketing", University of Lodz;
- Sebastian Novoa Pena, student of "Redesigning Post Industrial City - RePic MSc", University of Cork;
- Joanna Szumacher, Stowarzyszenie Nowa Kultura i Edukacja.
Mikroorganizmy w ZOO – poznajemy niewidzialnych mieszkańców [Microorganisms at the ZOO – getting to know the invisible inhabitants]
This educational project aims to familiarise children and young people with the role of microorganisms in the functioning of the zoo ecosystem. The project involves regular meetings with organised groups, primarily schools, held at the Orientarium Zoo.
The project's goals include demonstrating the diversity of microorganisms and their importance for animal health and the environment; increasing participants' ecological and hygiene awareness; and popularising microbiology as a science close to everyday life and nature.
The team:
- Dr Małgorzata Siwińska, University of Lodz, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Health; Institute of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Immunology, Department of Biology of Bacteria;
- Dr Lucija Nuskern Karaica, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology;
- Wiktoria Jakubczyk, student of "Microbiology", University of Lodz;
- Kamila Kwietniewska, student of "Microbiology", University of Lodz;
- Antoni Łykowski, student of "Microbiology", University of Lodz;
- Wiktor Zarębski, student of "Microbiology", University of Lodz;
- Jan Stjepan Franja, student of "Biology", University of Zagreb;
- Magdalena Janiszewska, Orientarium ZOO Łódź.