Na Skraju

Na Skraju is a neighbourhood in Warsaw, Poland, located within the district of Ursynów, in the eastern portion of the City Information System area of Ursynów-Centrum.

It is a residencial area, mostly consisting of multifamily housing, with a small portion of single-family housing in the east. There are located Polish Inventors Park and the Imielin station of the Warsaw Metro rapit transit system. Among notable landmarks, there are the Multikino Ursynów multiplex, and the KEN Center shopping mall.

In the 14th century, there was founded the village of Wolica (historically known as Wola Służewska), which was owned and inhabited by petty nobility. the area was incorporated into Warsaw in 1951. The neighbourhood of Na Skraju was constructed between 1976 and 1981, particularly including historical land of Wolica.

History
The village of Wolica, historically known as Wola Służewska, was most likely founded in the 14th century, in the area of current Na Skraju. The first known records of it come from 1424. The names Wolica and Wola are related to Polish term wolność ("freedom"). Historically, since 13th century, name Wola was given to the villages whose population had certain freedoms, such as being exempt from paying taxes. This suggests that Wolica was founded as one of such settlements, attracting settlers with temporary exemption of taxation. The village was part of the Catholic parish of the Church of St. Catherine.

In the 15th century, the village was owned and inhabited by petty nobility. It was located at the road between Warsaw and Czersk, which currently forms part of Nowoursynowska Street. In 1528, it had the total area, including its farmlands, equal to around 85 ha, and was owned by Wierzbów family.

In 1730, the village was bought by nobleperson Maria Zofia Czartoryska, and added to the Wilanów Estate. In 1775, in Wolica were located 15 houses, and in 1827 it had 177 inhabitants in 13 households. Following the abolition of serfdom in 1864, in Wolica were founded 30 peasant-owned farms, which collectively had an area of 178 ha. The village was incorporated into then established municipality of Wilanów.

In 1905, Wolica was inhabited by 478 people in 34 houses, all of which were constructed out of wood and with thatched roofs. In 1908, the village burded down, with only two houses surviving. Since then, most of the buildings there were constructed from bricks. In 1912, there lived 471 people, and it included 360 ha of farmland, half of which was owned by local families, and the rest by the noble family of Branicki. There were grown vegetables such as onion and radish. In 1921 it was inhabited by 336 people in 40 houses.

During the German occupation of Poland in the Second World War, in Wolica were stationed German soldiers.

In 1948, there was opened the bus line no. 104, connecting Wolica with the Southern Bus Station, and which operated there until 1990. In 1949, the village was connected to the electric network. On 14 May 1951, it was incorporated into the city of Warsaw. In 1956, the portion of Wolica farmlands became property of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, which organised there a test field. In the 1950s, in the village was also founded the Kolejarz Wolica association football club. In the 1960s, the construction of new housing buildings in the village was forbidden.

Between 1976 and 1981, in the area that partially included Wolica was constructed the neighbourhood of Na Skraju. The land was acquired by the government from the owners with a small compensation. Small portion of Wolica survives to the present day, centred on Kokosowa Street.

Na Staju was established between Ciszewskiego Street, Warsaw Escarpment, Branickiego Street, Płaskowickiej Street, and Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue, within an area of 85 ha. Together with nearby neighbourhood of Imielin, they formed the residencial area of South Ursynów. It the neighbourhood were mostly constructed multifamily residential buildings with 5,445 apartments in total. Additionally, in its eastern portion was built single-family housing with 150 homes. The investition was founded by the Capital City Association of Housing Construction (Polish: Stołeczny Związek Budownictwa Mieszkaniowego) and designed by A. Fabierkiewicz, P. Jankowski, E. Sander-Krysiak, and S. Stefanowicz.

On 7 April 1995, there was opened the Imielin station of the M1 line of the Warsaw Metro rapid transit underground syststem. It is located at the intersection of Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue and Indiry Gandhi Street.

In 1998, the district of Ursynów was subdivided into the areas of the City Information System, with Na Skraju becoming part of the area of Imielin. In 2000, it was divided into two areas, with Na Skraju becoming part of Ursynów-Centrum.

In 1999, at 60 Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue, was opened the Multikino Ursynów multiplex. It was the second multiplex to be opened in Poland, and first in Warsaw, as well as the largest cinema in the city.

In 2001, at the site of a former cemetery, begun the ongoing construction of the Catholic Church of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski at 12 Kokosowa Street.

In 2009, at 15 Ciszewskiego Street, was opened the KEN Center shopping mall.

In 2021 was begun the ongoing construction of the Polish Inventors Park, located at the crossing of Rosoła Street and Indiry Gandhi Street.

Characteristics
Na Skraju is a residencial area consisting mostly of multifamily housing, with building ranging from having between 4 and 16 storeys. A small portion of the neighbourhood in the east also includes single-family housing.

Between Rosoła Street and Indiry Gandhi Street is placed the Polish Inventors Park, which remains under construction since 2021.

At 60 Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue is located the Multikino Ursynów multiplex, and at 15 Ciszewskiego Street, is the KEN Center shopping mall.

There is also the Imielin station of the M1 line of the Warsaw Metro rapid transit underground syststem, located at the intersection of Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue and Indiry Gandhi Street.

Additionally, at 12 Kokosowa Street, is located the Catholic Church of Blessed Edmund Bojanowski.

Location and administrative boundaries
Na Skraju is a neighbourhood located within the eastern portion city district of Ursynów, within the City Information System area of Ursynów-Centrum. Its boundaries are determined by Ciszewskiego Street to the north; the Warsaw Escarpment to the smeast; Branickiego Street, and Płaskowickiej Street to the south; Komisji Edukacji Narodowej Avenue to the west. It has the total area of 85 ha. Na Skraju borders Imielin to the west, with which it forms the residencial area of South Ursynów. To the east it also borders small single-family housing neighbourhood of Wolica, centred around Kokosowa Street.