Analysis of the spatial structure of the housing estates transformations’ possibilities on a selected example

Abstract

The article is a summary of scientific and research work aimed at determining the possibility of transforming one of the selected so-called large-scale housing estates in Bielsko-Biała in Poland. One of the final work’s effects was the concept of the spatial development of a new housing estate in the area and in the neighborhood of the existing one. The research work was ordered by Cavatina & Partners Company, which in its offer has a rare combination of leading experience in the design and construction of a wide range of real estate. The company’s goal is to create modern facilities and places of daily use for the dynamic needs of people, communities and companies. In its activities, it focuses on the innovative thinking, the latest technology and the sustainable development. The aim of the scientific and research work was to prepare scenarios and explore spatial possibilities in the event of the need to demolish a large complex of multi-family buildings, so-called blocks of flats. The research was based on the assumption that the lifecycle of buildings was completed due to their technical condition. The scenarios presented variant possibilities of shaping the concept of development of the selected area and should serve as a basis for starting social consultations regarding the future development of the above-mentioned area. Scenarios and concepts are to take into account the improvement of housing conditions of the housing estate residents. The development options are to show different possibilities of changes in the area taking into account: 1 – the results of social research on existing housing conditions, 2 – the records of strategic city documents such as the city development strategy, study of conditions and directions of spatial development and local spatial development plan, 3 – the stage options investment. The formation’s history of blocks of flats in Poland dates back to the 1950s. Currently, about 12 million people live in them, which is about 30% of the population of Poland. Hence, all problems related to this type of building are in fact becoming national problems. That is why discussions and questions arise: if the first of them were created more than 60 years ago, should they be demolished due to the technical condition and based on similar decisions? And maybe renewed and revitalized? If they constitute such a significant percentage of urban development and despite negative aesthetic impressions, should they be removed from the spatial structure of cities? The answers to this question often depend on the individual characteristics of the blocks with which their residents and users have to deal with. Even the most accurate answers do not often match individual cases.