Assessment of Residential Areas of City on the Example of Olsztyn

Abstract

The contemporary city is undergoing dynamic transformations, as well as public urban space, which is an elementary part of it. Rapid urban development causes an increase in the number of inhabitants, who are looking optimal living conditions. Creating them is the main aim for urban-planners, which can prevent urban sprawl and depopulation of its central parts. Nonetheless it’s possible only when we can constantly monitor the quality of the city’s residential areas. That purpose requires new tools for assessment of residential areas. One of the main aspect of those ratings should be to determine the usefulness of housing estate. The term usefulness of city space should be understood as basic needs of inhabitant accessibility. Their availability in the area of neighbourhood guarantees a high standard of living for its residents. Sometimes this access is limited as a result of which the functionality of the area is falling and this part of city become unattractive for living. Over time, this may result in a decrease in the value of the space and even its depopulation and eventually degradation of the city space even in its central districts. The main aim of the article is to develop a method for assessing the useful value of residential areas based on criterion of distance to forms of basics services for residents. The article analyzes this problem in residential areas located within the city, which are also determined as city’s separate administrative divisions. Real-time maps of availability for selected basic services prepared during the studies were the basis for the further studies. Mainly with their help we can indicate the directions of shaping space by planning development specific services in the specific areas. The article presents the results of assessment of residential areas of city on the example of Olsztyn. This example show that presented in article approach and methodology could be very useful tool for urban-planners and private investors. Moreover, the biggest advantage of developed methodology is that it indicates specific location of investment deficiencies.