Port Polska Partners with Integracja Foundation on Accessible Airport Design

Port Polska is working with the Integracja Foundation to assess the accessibility of designs for its planned airport and multimodal transport hub near Warsaw, Poland.

Port Polska is collaborating with the Integracja Foundation to evaluate the accessibility of its proposed airport and multimodal transport hub near Warsaw, Poland. The foundation will conduct an audit of key elements of the project, including the passenger terminal, railway and bus station, the forecourt in front of the terminal, and the green belt.

The assessment will examine whether the proposed solutions comply with accessibility regulations and reflect universal design principles. It will consider the needs of people with disabilities, older people, children, and passengers with temporary mobility limitations. The audit will also assess whether users can access and move through the facilities safely and independently.

The work will result in three reports covering the relevant design documentation. Where the assessment identifies areas for improvement, the Integracja Foundation will provide recommendations for amendments or additions to the designs.

Accessibility Incorporated into Design

Accessibility is being considered during the infrastructure design stage. Proposed measures include sufficiently wide passageways, lift access, and reducing architectural barriers for people with mobility impairments. The designs also include clear signage, intuitive routes, and rest areas intended to support older passengers and children.

For passengers with visual or hearing impairments, the plans incorporate features such as contrasting surfaces, tactile markings, and visual and audible announcements.

The measures are intended to benefit a wider range of passengers, including families traveling with children, people carrying luggage, and those with temporary mobility restrictions. Anna Szygenda, President of the Management Board of the Integracja Foundation, stated that "modernity begins where no one has to ask whether they will be able to use a particular space."

The design documentation, prepared by the Foster + Partners and Buro Happold consortium, states that inclusive design is intended to address the differing needs of users while avoiding stigmatisation. One example is the planned relaxation rooms distributed throughout the terminal's main hall. These will include quiet zones with sound-absorbing materials and subdued lighting and colours, alongside energy zones with interactive materials, brighter lighting, and integrated audio elements.

Ewa Cieśla, Member of the Management Board of the Integracja Foundation, said that "the fact that such a large aviation hub in Europe is being designed from the outset with the diverse needs of all passengers in mind is a breakthrough step towards creating truly barrier-free spaces."

Connections between Transport Modes

The accessibility assessment will also consider how passengers move between different parts of the transport hub. The project is intended to integrate air, rail, and road transport, meaning passengers will need to move between the airport terminal, railway station, and bus facilities. The assessment will examine whether these routes are logical, safe, and easy to follow, while limiting the need to cross active traffic lanes or change levels.

The audit findings will be submitted to Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), the organisation responsible for the Port Polska project. The first phase of the Port Polska airport is planned to provide capacity for 34-44 million passengers a year. The airport is ultimately planned to accommodate up to 60 million passengers annually.

The terminal will be built directly above the railway station, with the aim of facilitating transfers between high-speed rail services and flights. The project has been designed by Foster + Partners and Buro Happold. The wider development includes the construction of a High-Speed Rail network connecting the airport with other parts of Poland.

The airport and the first section of the High-Speed Rail network are currently scheduled to open to passengers in 2032.

Source: Airport Industry-News