Reimagining Post - Industrial Cities (RO & PL)

Reimagining Post-Industrial Cities: Global Perspectives from Poland and Romania

How can cities shaped by coal and oil become places where young people want to stay, return and build their futures?

As part of Global Donut Days 2026, participants from Poland, Romania and other countries came together online for an interactive World Café session, Where do we go from here: Reimagining Post-Industrial Cities. Organised jointly by Multigenerational Community Foundation and MasterPeace Romania, the meeting brought together young people, local representatives and international participants to explore the future of Zabrze, Poland, and Ploiești, Romania, two cities shaped by coal mining and the oil industry.

The conversation connected local experiences with wider questions about economic change, urban identity and the role of young people in shaping their communities. Participants explored not only what post-industrial cities need to change, but also what they can build on: their heritage, existing spaces, local skills and the people who call them home.

Using the World Café method, participants rotated between four discussion topics.

1. Young People: Stay, Return, Build

How can our cities become places where young people want to stay, return and build their futures?

A recurring theme was the need for real opportunities. Young people are more likely to stay or return when they can find stable jobs, affordable housing and education that prepares them for the changing world of work. Participants discussed the importance of closer links between education and local labour markets, including adapting university curricula, expanding vocational training and helping young people develop skills relevant to emerging industries.

In Ploiești, one idea was to develop the Petroleum-Gas University’s curriculum towards green technologies, environmental engineering and automation, helping graduates prepare for the energy transition.

But employment alone is not enough. Participants also highlighted the importance of cultural activities, music venues and welcoming places to spend time together. Unused industrial and municipal buildings could become youth centres, creative spaces and venues for events, provided that these new opportunities are actively promoted.

Another important point was young people's ability to influence the places where they live. Beyond being invited to participate, they need space to experiment, take responsibility and help shape local decisions. Examples of people creating opportunities for themselves could also inspire others to take the first step.

2. Identity After Coal and Oil

If coal and oil no longer define our future, what does?

Moving beyond an industrial past does not necessarily mean leaving it behind. Participants explored how cities could develop new identities while preserving the experiences, values and heritage that have shaped them.

Industrial heritage can become a resource for a city's future. The Guido Coal Mine in Zabrze is one example: a former mining site that now welcomes visitors and hosts cultural events, connecting the city's industrial past with new uses. Participants also recognised that not every abandoned industrial building can or should be preserved. Some may need to be removed to make way for new development. The challenge is to decide what is worth preserving, what can be given a new purpose and how industrial heritage can contribute to the city's future.

The discussion also went deeper than the physical landscape. What lies beneath the identity of a city shaped by coal or oil? Participants raised questions about security, hard work and the role these industries have played in providing energy for others. Could these values remain part of a city's identity even as its economy changes?

A contribution from Ploiești brought a powerful historical perspective. On 1 August 1943, the city's oil refineries became the target of Operation Tidal Wave, a major Allied bombing raid aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Nazi Germany. The attack caused extensive damage and left a lasting mark on the city's history. The contribution raised a broader question: how can cities move beyond dependence on a single industry while acknowledging the ways in which that industry has shaped their past?

Looking ahead, participants explored how innovation, renewable energy and sustainable development could help cities create new opportunities without losing sight of their past.

3. Communities Leading the Transition

How can residents become co-creators of their city's future?

One of the clearest messages from this discussion was that change begins with people getting involved. Rather than waiting for local authorities to solve every problem, residents can organise community projects, volunteer, attend public meetings and propose ideas for improving their neighbourhoods.

As one participant observed, people often complain about the disadvantages of their city while waiting for opportunities to appear. Becoming involved in community life, even through a small initiative, can be a starting point for meaningful change.

Participants also explored the role of connection. Communities need places where people can meet, build relationships and develop ideas together. In post-industrial cities, unused buildings and other underused spaces could offer opportunities to create such places. Community gardens, playgrounds and other shared spaces can bring people together, while small participatory projects can help build trust and momentum for larger initiatives.

The conversation highlighted the value of starting small. Giving residents the opportunity to decide how a modest part of a local budget is spent, for example, can help them learn to work together and develop a shared vision for their community.

Other ideas included supporting volunteering and local organisations, making participation more engaging and accessible, and developing employee-owned businesses and shared community assets. These approaches could help residents take greater responsibility for their surroundings and ensure that local economic activity benefits the wider community.

An important question remained: how can cities make it easier for people to find their communities and feel that they belong?

4. A City for Future Generations

What would make a post-industrial city a good place for the next generation?

Participants described a good city as a place that offers more than employment. It should provide opportunities to learn, work, socialise, enjoy culture and build a life without having to leave in search of a better future.

Affordable housing, accessible public transport, quality education and healthcare, and opportunities for professional development all featured in the discussion. Arts, music, theatre, restaurants and other leisure activities were also seen as important, both for quality of life and for creating local jobs.

A sustainable future would also require changes to the way cities are designed and used. Participants highlighted walkable and cycle-friendly neighbourhoods, more green spaces that support biodiversity, clean air and places that can withstand heatwaves, floods and droughts. Repair and reuse shops, shared tools and other community initiatives could help reduce waste and make better use of existing resources.

The discussion also touched on local production, renewable energy and technological innovation. Cities could become more resilient by developing their own capacities, supporting local businesses and finding new uses for existing industrial knowledge and infrastructure.

Finally, participants emphasised the importance of safe, inclusive communities where people of different ages feel welcome. They called for more opportunities for young people to get involved, a stronger collective mindset and genuine local democracy. Public spaces should allow people to meet, socialise and spend time together freely.

What Can We Take Forward?

The discussion showed that reimagining post-industrial cities is about much more than replacing one industry with another. It means creating places where people can find meaningful work, build relationships, participate in local decisions and imagine a future for themselves.

Zabrze, Ploiești and other cities facing similar transitions can draw on their industrial heritage, existing infrastructure and local knowledge while opening up new opportunities for younger generations. The ideas shared during the World Café ranged from adapting education and reusing buildings to supporting community initiatives and creating greener, more inclusive neighbourhoods.

These conversations also connect with Doughnut Economics, which asks how we can meet people's needs while respecting the limits of our planet. The challenge is to ensure that the transition towards a more sustainable economy also improves everyday life and gives residents a meaningful role in shaping change.

A city's future is not defined by its industrial past alone, but by what its people can imagine and create together.