Shaping of Public Space in Downtown Area on the Example of the City of Częstochowa

Abstract

The author deals with the evolution of public spaces in the city of Częstochowa over the years. The choice of a medium-sized city such as Częstochowa results from a broader analysis of cities that are important in Polish history and belong to the culture-creating places of the nation. In such places one should expect, above all, urban and architectural solutions that emerge from the uniqueness of the place and its role - a pilgrimage city, an academic and tourist centre. On the basis of collected archival, cartographic and photographic materials, the author presents changes in selected urban spaces from the early 20th century to modern times. Selected examples of urban spaces are located in the key places of the compositional axis of the urban layout of the city and play a vital role in the minds of inhabitants. The first example showing urban changes in downtown areas is the urban park zone near the Jasna Góra monastery. This area stayed at the beginning of the composition canvas for the urban layout of the city of Częstochowa (1826). The location of the area and historical background creates a huge potential of the place attracting city residents as well as tourists and pilgrims. Secondly, The central part of the historical urban axis of the city is Biegański Square. The urban development program developed by the city authorities assumed the elimination of vehicular traffic and the creation of a cohesive public space in the city centre (2011). Thirdly, urban spaces of the city and the Old Market Square are discussed. This is the area closing the historical axis of the Częstochowa urban foundation. This problematic area requires revitalization activities in response to contemporary functional requirements and newly defined social needs. The discussed changes within the urban space illustrate the process of transforming these areas into special places - important for the urban development of the city.