City Of Katowice Research Articles

The heat is on

Three years ago, the Eiffel Tower lit up with a written announcement that negotiators had completed the Paris Agreement. This landmark global deal to curb climate change includes pledges from nearly every country on earth, rich and poor alike, to control human-caused climate change. But the deal is not legally binding, so countries have latitude in whether and to what extent they fulfill their promises. Now, on the heels of dire scientific reports, negotiators are meeting in Poland to build global confidence that countries are actually taking the actions they pledged to in the Paris Agreement. At this year’s United Nations climate conference, being held Dec. 2–14 in the southern Poland city of Katowice, negotiators are drawing up a rule book. Governments are to follow it as they measure and report on their greenhouse gas emissions, allowing others to verify the numbers. Negotiators hope that such transparency and data will

Sustainable Consumer Behaviour in the Market of Cultural Services in Central European Countries: The Example of Poland

In the second decade of the 21st century, in the developed countries of Central Europe, we can observe the transfer of free time to consumption, including the consumption of cultural services. This change, however, has led to some disturbances in the consumption of cultural services. Disturbances, which in particular relate to the sphere of needs, the sphere of the means of meeting needs and, finally, the sphere of consumer behaviour; for example, in relation to transport. In this article, most of the attention was devoted to the last category of disturbances (the sphere of consumer behaviour) and specifically concerned the culture service customers’ choice of means of transport to a specific cultural event. The research carried out by the authors shows that the most popular means of transport used on the way to a symphonic concert held in Katowice is still one’s own car. This applies to both residents of the city of Katowice, who could easily get to the concert using public transport (bus, tram) or on foot, as well as people from outside Katowice (who, as the research shows, very rarely use Katowice’s extensive rail network and well-developed intercity bus service). Thus, it has been proved that despite various legal regulations conducive to sustainable consumption, the majority of Polish consumers of cultural services in the analysed area of consumer behaviour do not follow this concept. The article opens with a review of the literature on free time and the sustainable consumption of cultural services. The next part of the study presents the results and conclusions of research conducted on a group of 515 consumers of philharmonic services. The last part of the article discusses the results obtained and indicates the existing management implications.

Architectural Objects and Public Spaces Connected with Industry. A Contribution to the Discussion on Artistic and Aesthetic Values

The article presents the contemporary cultural landscape of the historical workers’ settlements, located within the current administrative boundaries of the city of Katowice. Selected building complexes are standardized in terms of typology and building design, but differ in terms of the conservation status and forms of protection. The aim of the discussion is to show the relationship between the artistic and architectural aesthetics and public spaces related to the industry. The subject matter is an attempt to draw attention to the problem of the conservation status of most parts of the historical complexes of residential buildings in Upper Silesia, their untapped potential and declining values.

Partycypacja biznesu w procesach rewitalizacji miasta – przykład Katowic

Artykuł dotyczy zagadnień związanych z włączeniem sektora biznesu w proces rewitalizacji i społeczno-ekonomicznego rozwoju miasta. Założeniem badawczym jest postulowane szersze zaangażowanie sektora biznesu w formie projektów inwestycyjnych, jak również tworzenie ekosystemu determinującego rewitalizację ekonomiczną i żywotność ekonomiczną obszarów kryzysowych. Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie skali zaangażowania sektora biznesu w projekty rewitalizacyjne w Katowicach, a także identyfikacja oczekiwań sektora biznesu dotyczących procesów miejskiej rewitalizacji. W ujęciu metodycznym badania bazują na metodach: studiów przypadków, zogniskowanych wywiadów grupowych (FGI), które były prowadzone z wybranymi sektorami biznesu w Katowicach w 2016 roku.

Changes in the Epiphytic Bryophyte Flora in Katowice City (Poland)

Abstract In the area of Katowice city (S Poland) a significant increase in the number of sites of some epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota) were recorded. The comparison of their distribution in 2001 and 2015 shows two groups: (1) species of which the number of localities is obviously higher, e.g. Orthotrichum diaphanum, O. obtusifolium, O. pumilum and O. speciosum and (2) species new in the bryoflora, i.e. Leskea polycarpa, Orthotrichum affine, O. patens, O. rogeri, O. stramineum, O. striatum, Radula complanata, Syntrichia latifolia, Ulota bruchii and U. crispa. The analysis of the preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes reveals that the most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees, which show higher pH values of bark.

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils and plant material in the post-industrial city of Katowice, Poland

ABSTRACTThis investigation was undertaken to assess the level of environment pollution by biological monitoring. The leaves and bark of popular ornamental trees Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Acer platanoides L. and soil from the sampling sites were used to perform heavy metals pollution monitoring in urban areas with different pollution sources, as well to investigate the suitability of the leaves and bark as bioindicators of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu pollution. Plant samples were collected at nine locations classified into three pollution groups based on metal content in the soils. The chosen pollution indices were used to assess the level of contamination according to background values. Soils in the Katowice area are found to be relatively heavily contaminated with Pb, Zn and Cd. Both of the maple tree species did not statistically differ in terms of the investigated elements' concentration in leaves or bark. Only bark samples reflected the pollution level, showing differences between the sampling points, and therefore are recommended for biomonitoring purposes.

Campus Development And Downtown Regeneration – Perspectives For Katowice

Abstract The scope of the paper is to present the issues concerning the revitalization of an area situated in the centre of Katowice, where an academic quarter of the University of Silesia is emerging. Although this problem has been subject of numerous research works, workshops and competitions, the city of Katowice, despite many investments, has not managed to fully implement the revitalization of this area. Research activities indicated the deficiency in the integration of student functions. The surface of the area is about 10 hectares, located at the quarter comprising Warszawska, Bankowa and Dudy-Gracza Streets and the Rawa river boulevards. In May 2014 the Municipality of Katowice and University of Silesia announced the workshops on concepts of integrating an urban student centre, with the participation of the team from the Faculty of Architecture, Silesian University of Technology. The workshops were focused on analysing the situation of the program and design elaboration for the area in question. The proposed solutions were targeted at creating a student centre integrated with other public sites of Katowice, improving the attractiveness of the Rawa riverside, and providing a competitive advantage for the city of Katowice over other university cities in Poland.

The Research of Toucan Crossing Traffic Light Perception by Road Users

Cities are trying to improve bikers traveling conditions by adapting infrastructure to their needs, for example by expanding bike road network. This phenomenon leads to comfort improvement of bike usage and the growth of road safety level. On the other hand, it causes the increase of usage diversity of transport means, which are existing in transportation systems. Therefore readable, explicit and understandable information broadcasted by the traffic sings and road signals to all road users (drivers, pedestrians and bikers) is necessary to provide efficient functioning of transportation systems.The current size of the pictograms located on the traffic light shield and its localization is determined by provisions of the regulations of the Minister of Infrastructure. According to current regulations it is allowed to connect two signals: for pedestrians and for bikers in one signaling device in special situations, which are dictated by location (shared crossing for pedestrians and bikers). Described solution allows to apply one support element and one two-compartment signal device. In opposite situations it is necessary to place two-compartment signals devices placed on one or two support elements. Size of pictograms used in pedestrian-bike signal devices is very different in comparison to exclusively pedestrian or bike signal devices.Pedestrian symbol in toucan crossing signal device is about forty percent smaller in comparison to pictogram used in pedestrian signal device and bike template is thirty percent smaller than in normal bike signal device. toucan crossing devices displays two small symbols, which in some condition may not be read explicitly by individual road users. It might in fact cause risk situations.The perception by participants of traffic signals is an essential aspect. Displayed signals should: provide unambiguous information (without leaving space for interpretation) and be understood by all users (regardless of age and visual problems. Misinterpretation the symbol or its inaccurate understanding can lead to dangerous situations (the intrusion of pedestrians on the road). That is why it is so important in the context of an aging population in Europe to examine the perception of the quality of the signals transmitted to traffic participants.According to experts and road users, there is a problem of readable and explicit perception of the information provided by this traffic signal. This problem is an essential goal of the research presented in this article.In order to examine the quality of toucan crossing signal perception by road users, an extensive research in Katowice city was conducted. During the research, division by age and condition of health (problem with vision) was considered. Length of measurement time allowed to analyze changes in daylight and their influence on signal perception by road users.This paper is organized as follows: section one presents the legal conditions of toucan crossing signals usage, study of literature and examples of good practice. This is followed by next section, which describes the area on which analyze was conducted and elaborates on the research methodology. Afterwards, obtained results with detailed analysis are provided. Article ends with conclusions and discussion on currently used solution.

Determinants of occurrence of epiphytic mosses in the urban environment; a case study from Katowice city (S Poland)

Abstract Katowice is the largest city within the Upper Silesian Industrial District (S Poland). The investtigation conducted in this town earlier (1998-2000) showed limited number of epiphytic species. Recent study showed significant increase in number of localities of obligate epiphytes (mainly from the genera Orthotrichum and Ulota). They colonize mainly the edges of strongly urbanized areas bordering forest complexes and larger parks. This paper is an attempt to answer the question as currently in Katowice shape the main factors determining the occurrence of epiphytes. Crucial factors which govern epiphytes colonization processes in urban areas have been confirmed: bark chemistry (taking into account natural attributes and the influence of pollution) and air humidity. The preference of epiphytes towards inhabited phorophytes was confirmed as well. The most commonly and abundantly inhabited species were poplar and willow trees (which have a higher pH of bark).

Presentation of Functional, PPS and Hall’s Methods in Comparison with other Research on Space Quality / Prezentacja Metod: Funkcjonalnej, Pps I Hall’A Na Tle Innych Badań Jakości Przestrzeni

The end of the twentieth century was a period in which the need for quality control was developing in all areas of life in post-industrial countries. The impulse for the development of numerous methods of evaluating the quality in architecture and construction was "Green Paper" and "Agenda 21" concerning the idea of sustainable development. First of all, creation of a system of evaluation criteria is the basis for elaboration of any system of quality control. Several years of cooperation between J. Serdyńska and the author resulted in a cycle of studies on urban public space (squares in the city of Katowice) based upon functional, Hall’s and PPS methods. This study aims to embed them in a typology of other studies of space quality.

An assessment of urban habitat contamination with selected heavy metals within the city of Katowice using the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) as a bioindicator

Abstract The common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) is considered to be a good indicator species due to its wide spread and high tolerance to harsh environmental conditions. It was used in this study to assess contamination with selected heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd) within urban habitats of the city of Katowice (southern Poland). Samples were collected from outside the forest regions. Content of heavy metals was determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (F-AAS). The soil mineralization was conducted using 50,0 cm3 10% HNO3. Determination of elemental concentrations in the plant material was carried out with the “wet” method using heating blocks for a period of 7-10 days. The following concentration ranges for individual elements in soil were found: 14,03–2049,50 mg kg−1 (Pb), 17,91–4118,00 mg kg−1 (Zn), 0,25–52,93 mg kg−1 (Cd). Concentrations within the leaves of common dandelion were: 5,52–93,04 μg g−1 (Pb), 71,71–807,15 μg g−1 (Zn), 0,10–15,69 μg g−1 (Cd). Plants from the most heavily contaminated soils were characterised by the lowest bioaccumulation coefficient. The most contaminated areas were the districts: Szopienice-Burowiec and Wełnowiec-Józefowiec, while the least contaminated were the southern districts of Katowice (i.e. Zarzecze, Podlesie). There is also a clear link between the content of heavy metals in soils examined in this study and the land use.

AZFc Deletions and Spermatogenic Failure: A Population-Based Survey of 20,000 Y Chromosomes

Deletions involving the Y chromosome's AZFc region are the most common known genetic cause of severe spermatogenic failure (SSF). Six recurrent interstitial deletions affecting the region have been reported, but their population genetics are largely unexplored. We assessed the deletions' prevalence in 20,884 men in five populations and found four of the six deletions (presented here in descending order of prevalence): gr/gr, b2/b3, b1/b3, and b2/b4. One of every 27 men carried one of these four deletions. The 1.6 Mb gr/gr deletion, found in one of every 41 men, almost doubles the risk of SSF and accounts for ∼2% of SSF, although <2% of men with the deletion are affected. The 1.8 Mb b2/b3 deletion, found in one of every 90 men, does not appear to be a risk factor for SSF. The 1.6 Mb b1/b3 deletion, found in one of every 994 men, appears to increase the risk of SSF by a factor of 2.5, although <2% of men with the deletion are affected, and it accounts for only 0.15% of SSF. The 3.5 Mb b2/b4 deletion, found in one of every 2,320 men, increases the risk of SSF 145 times and accounts for ∼6% of SSF; the observed prevalence should approximate the rate at which the deletion arises anew in each generation. We conclude that a single rare variant of major effect (the b2/b4 deletion) and a single common variant of modest effect (the gr/gr deletion) are largely responsible for the AZFc region's contribution to SSF in the population.

Between the Marvellous and the Mundane: Everyday Life in the Socialist City and the Politics of the Environment

In a recent essay on modernisation and ecology, Latour claimed that the environmental movement had lost important ground within political debate. He argued that this reversal in political fortunes had in part emerged out of an internal tension within the environmental movement itself—a tension between overinflation and banalisation. In this paper I analyse the nature of the purported processes of overinflation and banalisation within contemporary ecological politics, and explore ways in which it is possible to image a reinvention of environmental politics, forged between the socioecological marvellous and the mundane. Focusing on struggles over the treatment of nature and the urban environment in the socialist city of Katowice in Poland, I reveal a brand of environmental politics emerging out of communist Eastern Europe which appears to have important implications for a reinvented environmentalism. Considering the particular utilisation of the everyday environment which was forced on environmental groups in Katowice by political circumstances, I claim that the quotidian could provide a new ground upon which to perceive and connect social and ecological politics at a variety of different spatial scales and in a powerful array of different socionatural contexts.

Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Katowice (Poland): outcome report according to the "Utstein style".

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the city of Katowice, Poland, during a period of 1 year prior to the planned reorganization of the national emergency system. Data were collected prospectively according to a modified Utstein style. To ensure accurate data collection, a special method of reporting resuscitation events with the use of a tape-recorder was introduced. Patients were followed for a 1-year period. Between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2002, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was confirmed in 1153 patients. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted in 188 patients. Cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac aetiology (147) was bystander witnessed in 105 (71%) cases and lay-bystander basic life support was performed in 35 (24%). In the group of bystander witnessed arrest ventricular fibrillation (VF) or tachycardia was documented in 59, asystole in 40 and other non-perfusing rhythms in six patients. Of 147 patients with cardiac aetiology, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 64 (44%) patients, 15 (10%) were discharged alive and 9 (6%) were alive 1 year later. Most of these patients had a good neurological outcome. Time to first defibrillatory shock was significantly shorter for survivors (median 7 min) compared to non-survivors (median 10 min). The most important resuscitation and patient characteristics associated with survival were VF as initial rhythm, arrest witnessed, and lay-bystander CPR.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in soils from the southern part of Poland.

Surface soil and sediment samples collected from the cities of Kraków, Katowice, and Chorzow in 1993-94 were analyzed to determine the residual levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides (HCB, HCHs, DDTs, CHLs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Detection, identification, and quantification were made after a two-step clean-up and fractionation of sample extract with concentrated sulfuric acid and Florisil gel, followed by capillary gas chromatography with a 63Ni electron capture detector (GC-ECD) or a mass selective detector (GC-LRMS). The soil from the city of Katowice is relatively more polluted, mainly by PCBs but also by the other organochlorines. Both the soil in the cities of Kraków and Katowice are more polluted by organochlorines than soil from many other places in Poland. The residual concentrations of the organochlorines indicated nonexistence of the domestic sources of pollution by CHLs and elevated local contamination with PCBs. Sediment contained PCBs and CHLs in much higher concentrations than found in soil. In the case of DDTs, HCHs and HCB, the concentrations were of the same order of magnitude. Composition of DDT metabolites and of HCH isomers were investigated in detail.