Łódź

Łódź (Lodz) means a short name and short history. It means the unusual beginning of the metropolis, co-existence of different cultures, religions and nationalities. It also means a specific local tolerance and a desire to build people’s own and unique city. Lodz was perceived and assessed in many different ways. Some wanted to make it the Promised Land. Others saw it as the evil city. There were also those who claimed it was the city of hope.
The rapid development of Lodz in the second half of the 19th century brought about the rise of enormous industrialist fortunes. The profits obtained from prosperous textile mills opened up practically unlimited possibilities for their owners. The city residences became expressions of the riches and power of the local tycoons. They were usually situated next to the owner's factory.
The residence of the Scheibler family at Wodny Rynek (Water Market) serving as an example here there would be dozens of smaller or larger architectural projects laid out in the similar manner, sometimes with the workers' estates adjacent to them. At times, several residences would be raised, not only occupied by an entrepreneur and his family, but also used for representation and reception. The palaces erected by the Poznański family seem to be the most characteristic in this respect. Next to the town houses, the typical urban residences with frontages on the street, there were also the villas, as e.g. the residence of Księży Młyn, surrounded by a beautiful garden, now a museum, the picturesque little palaces of the Richters in Ks. Ignacego Skorupki st., or Fryderyk W. Schweikert's residence in Piotrkowska st., modeled upon the country gentleman's mansion. The residential architecture of Lodz in the times of its prime was based upon the fashions then abiding is Europe. The variations of exuberant historicism predominated there - the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Renaissance, and Neo-Rococo, often permeating one another and forming an extraordinary abundant stylistic attire.
Of course the modern Lodz is a consequence of over 170 year-long and unique history of the city - the metropolis whose evolution from a small settlement took just under fifty years. In the 21st cent., Lodz desires to become the national centre of development. It is the city with several university schools and a large cultural and administrative centre. More and more foreign capital arrives in it in order to animate its industry, which has been tormented by recession. Its central location on the crossing of the main European motorways, small distance to the capital city, cheap land and lower price of lease, together with the availability of professional labor force provide real opportunities for turning Lodz into the social and economic centre of Poland. Also its aesthetic values, which are unique in the worldscale, predestine it to the role of the city of grand tourism. Undoubtedly, it may again become the Promised Land, whose mirages would attract all Europeans.
Today's Lodz with the population of one million is a city in which all roads lead to Piotrkowska Street - a seven kilometer promenade and commercial centre, the longest such street in Europe. In this street there are public administration offices, most important institutions, banks, churches, hotels, theatres, also half of the number of the Lodz shops, most galleries and book-shops, the best restaurants, coffee bars and pubs. "Putting all in Piotrkowska is Lodz-dwellers' perpetual goal", however, it is certainly not possible to move the whole metropolis into one street. Lodz is a truly European city, eager for international Cupertino. Numerous contacts with cities all over the world can be seen in the increasing number of partnership agreements. We are also an active member of the organization of European major cities - Eurocities.
Against some circulating opinions about the prevailing grayness of Lodz, it is a city of many a hue. For decades its colours would mellow and fade, damped under the thickening cover of dust, awaiting restoration. In the recent years Lodz has gradually begun to rediscover and expose its forgotten visage. The original colours are returning to the facades of palaces and tenements. Often after the removal of scaffolding we are amazed to see the 'new' beauty of the old buildings.
Lodz of today is an important economic centre. Several important fair events are organized here every year, e.g. "Intertelecom" - International Fair of Telecommunications, "Interglass" - International Glass and Ceramics Fair, "Na styku kultur" - International Tourism Sites Fair. In Lodz there are seven state-owned and four private schools of academic rank. There are 7 national, 11 private and 4 catholic colleges, and over 40 research institutes and university scientific centers. There are theatres and museums, an opera house and philharmonic hall, numerous galleries.
Taking these great potentials into account it is hard to avoid an impression that Lodz is situated in the very centre of Poland. The public transport infrastructure which has been already well developed - The Lodz- Lublinek airport, the biggest in Poland cargo railway station - will be soon extended by an intersection of two transeuropean motorways. Investors have an access to lands, buildings and industrial infrastructure. Highly qualified specialists can be found here on the spot.

Based on: http://www.uml.lodz.pl/wersja_angielska/