Overcoming Socio-Economic Problems in Crisis Areas through Revitalization of Cittaslow Towns. Evidence from North-East Poland

Joanna Zielińska-Szczepkowska,Agnieszka Jaszczak,Jan Žukovskis

doi:10.3390/su13147984

Abstract

The revitalization of small towns is connected with an attempt to find multidirectional solutions to numerous social, economic and spatial problems. It is possible to remove degraded areas and areas with a high risk of social exclusion through coordinated and skillfully planned activities consisting of corrective interventions within these areas and, indirectly, in the whole structure of a small town. There are many studies on improving the quality of life of inhabitants at risk of exclusion in large cities. At the same time, there is a gap in the analyses of this phenomenon in small towns. In this article, we present the results of our observations on changes in the quality and living conditions of residents as a result of social projects implemented as part of the revitalization of marginalized areas in cities associated with the Cittaslow movement. The starting point is to identify the main socioeconomic problems and relate them to the effects of the revitalization activities carried out under the Supralocal Revitalization Program (SLRP). The study analyzed all projects that were a response to social problems in fourteen cities in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship (Poland). It was based on a quantitative assessment of the selected socioeconomic indicators and a qualitative assessment based on interviews with local experts. The results of the research indicate a reduction in unemployment in all the cities covered by the study. On the other hand, the results of the expert interview show that it is not directly influenced by the implemented revitalization projects. According to experts, after revitalization, the crime rate decreased insignificantly and the educational and professional involvement of residents from marginalized areas is still low. The results may give rise to the creation of scenarios to deal with the socioeconomic problems of the analyzed examples and recommendations for the revitalization of other Cittaslow towns in the region as well as small towns in Europe and the world.

Highlights

A supplementary condition for joining the Supralocal Revitalization Program (SLRP) 2015 program was the diagnosis of at least one phenomenon from the following groups in the area covered by revitalization:
Experts expressed their opinion pointing to the great importance of the revitalization process in the perception of Cittaslow cities as attractive places in terms of quality of life (Figure 3, Point I)
Experts expressed their opinion pointing to the great importance of the revitalization process in the perception of Cittaslow cities as attractive places in terms of quality16ofoflife (Figure 3, Point I)

Summary

Introduction

In the case of large European cities, this process was started much earlier and often results from problems perceived on a global scale, while in small cities, some system and program solutions were adopted relatively recently [5,6,7]. It is in the smallest units, especially those located on the periphery, that social problems, just behind economic problems, are the main “slowdown”.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion