Largest Cities In Poland Research Articles

URBAN MOVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF THE LEGITIMATION OF LIBERAL DEMOCRACY: ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF ALTERNATIVE GROUPS AND CIVIL ORGANISATIONS AT A TIME OF EUROPEAN CRISIS

This paper constitutes an analysis of urban movements, marked in the research as alternative groups and civil organisations, in terms of the new politics characteristic of new social movements. In particular it indicates that these movements, ostensibly urban, actually express demands towards the broader social system, delegitimating it in a twofold manner. Firstly, the acceptance of certain general principles in democratic values and rules is coupled with criticism of how the system functions in practice and of the political elites in Poland, via protest, lobbying, and watchdog activities. A separate type of delegitimation embraces organisations among which we may list cooperatives and squats, as well as organisations managing concrete spaces and withdrawing from participation in public life, shutting themselves away within autonomous spaces and realising a different cultural and democratic model. In both of these groups we are thus dealing with a strongly accentuated anti-systemic and anti-capitalist attitude towards the political reality of the period of transformation in Poland. The research delivered confirmation of the overall research hypothesis adopted in the Lifewhat project, according to which in response to economic crisis civil society responds with the emergence of alternative forms of resilience, not only alleviating the consequences of the crisis but which also, as time passes and the scale of their activities increases, may give rise to a new quality – including in a political sense. The research constitutes a part of the international Lifewhat project. It was conducted on a sample of eighteen purposefully selected civil groups and organisations operating in large cities in Poland, using the method of in-depth interviews.

Urban resilience in spatial planning of polish cities - True or false? Transformational perspective

The system transformation initiated in Poland after 1989, the departure from the socialist model of spatial management, and the neoliberal economy and its paradigms have left their mark on the urban development in Poland. A need arose to confront the spatial planning system with new challenges and threats of both natural and socioeconomic nature. In this context, the concept of urban resilience seems to be a useful approach from the viewpoint of spatial planning. The aim of this article is to present the concept of urban resilience and its implementation in the planning process in the largest cities in Poland with a focus on the transformational perspective. In order to achieve the research goal of the study authors analyzed and evaluated 15 623 records of the data connected with spatial planning in 39 largest cities in Poland. Moreover this study was the first theoretical and empirical attempt to analyse and evaluate the planning situation in Poland after 1989 in context of urban resilience concept. The findings show that the spatial planning in Poland has a good legal framework for implementing urban resilience, but achieving full application of discussed concept requires adjustments at the executive level, concerning planning practice.

Smart Security in the Smart City

This article is focused on whether and to what extent the measures taken by cities’ shape their creative and intelligent space safety. For this purpose, research was carried out among medium and large cities in Poland. The analysis of the obtained results showed that, although projects shaping the creative and intelligent space of medium and large cities are undertaken in order to increase the broadly understood security, they are not treated as a priority. Subsequently, security projects implemented in the selected cities were presented.

Teleworking and Remote Work in Local Government Administration Management in Poland

Purpose: The research goal adopted in this article is to identify the factors determining remote work, as well as to determine the potential of this form of work in the context of increasing the functionality and efficiency of local government institutions not only in the daily work of these institutions, but above all in crisis situations. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research methodology was based on the construction of a research tool that would allow to collect data on remote work and teleworking in Polish local government administration. The research method used was related to an online survey, which was addressed to all members of the Union of Polish Metropolises (union of the 12 largest cities in Poland). Findings: The main conclusions from the analysis performed include: (1) implementation of tasks in the form of teleworking has not been the object of interest of Polish local governments so far; (2) more than a half of the surveyed local governments assessed positively the preparation of these units to remote work implementation in the period of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic; (3) the experience regarding remote work gained during the pandemic shows that employees no longer fear this particular form of work. Practical implications: The result of the conducted research was to obtain information on the experience of the surveyed organizations in the field of remote work process implementation before the pandemic period, during its duration, as well as to consider this form of work in the future, taking into account the conclusions presented in the article. Originality/Value: The conducted research is the first of its kind carried out in Poland since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The obtained results are undoubtedly a valuable source of information on how to prepare Polish local governments to carry out work remotely.

Local Government Financial Condition – Small Towns Versus Large Cities in Poland

The development of local government units is determined by many factors. The most important is the financial condition, which determines the possibilities of the effective implementation of tasks, both current and as an investment. In the face of an unstable macroeconomic environment, as well as growing expectations of residents regarding the improvement of living standards, local government finance management takes place under conditions of strong pressure and great uncertainty. Therefore, a rational budget policy is a prerequisite for achieving the approved development goals. It should be based on greater control of the performance and discipline in the use of budget funds. The purpose of this article is to assess and compare the financial situation of small towns and large cities in Poland in 2012-2018. The study used budget indicators in the areas of revenues, operating surplus and indebtedness. The study made it possible to draw conclusions regarding the development opportunities of Polish cities.

Odour nuisance and urban residents' quality of life: A case study in Kraków's in Plaszow district

This paper aims to assess the level of odour nuisance in the south-eastern part of Kraków (Płaszów) and the related quality of life. It includes two aspects: life comfort and the health aspect. Kraków is one of the largest urban centres in Poland. It is globally perceived as the cultural capital of Poland and is the country's main tourist destination. It is also one of the most polluted cities in Poland. Płaszów, as a district of Kraków, is characterised by the largest increase in urbanised areas and changes in the spatial development of the municipality of Kraków.The research methodology was divided into the phases comprising of qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research included (1) the analysis of the content on Internet forums and social networking sites as regards odour nuisance concerns, (2) in-depth ethnographic interviews with residents of Płaszów's housing estates, which were conducted in the form of strolling groups created specifically for this purpose, combined with the recording of impressions, remarks and associations of their participants and representative residents of the studied area.A measurement tool, developed according to the VDI 3883 guidelines, based on the latest outcome of research on odour and noise nuisance, was used for assessing odour nuisance. The questionnaire was developed based on German experience. Empirical research was conducted for the area sample of 2000 respondents. The selection of respondents was carried out by a random stroll.Questions scaled according to two scales of annoyance constituted the key part of the questionnaire. One of them was a 7-point ordinal scale and the other a 10-point interval scale. These scales allowed collecting information from respondents significantly related to the purpose of the study. The research sample consisted of respondents representing households using the water supply and sewage disposal services located in the area of Płaszów. Within that area, according to the data obtained, 21,925 people utilised these services.The conducted qualitative and quantitative research carried out on a large wide scale in one of Poland's largest cities in Poland -– Kraków -– undoubtedly constitutes the beginning of the identification and assessment process concerning of the scale of this problem in urban space. The results of this research work indicate unequivocally point to the influence of perceived fragrances smells on the health and the sense of comfort of local residents. The assessment of this phenomenon is common and does is not dependent on the gender or age of respondents. However, it has an impact on everyday life and subjective feelings about concerning the state of health caused by living in an area with unpleasant odours. This research proves that the more intense the and unpleasant the odour is, the less resistant one is to move out of their current home. The longer people live in the area, the less negative their feelings are, which may mean they get used become accustomed to the environment they are living in. According to the respondents, the unpleasant odours have the greatest impact on health factors, which in turn determines the sense of life comfort. The results obtained in this study indicate the need for further, in-depth research in this area.

Urban CO2 Budget: Spatial and Seasonal Variability of CO2 Emissions in Krakow, Poland

Krakow, with an area of 327 km2 and over 750,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in Poland. Within the administrative city borders several anthropogenic CO2 source types are located, including car traffic, household coal and natural gas burning, and industrial emissions. Additionally, the biosphere produces its own, seasonally variable, input to the local atmospheric carbon budget. In order to quantify each of CO2 budget contributions to the local atmosphere, a number of analytical and numerical techniques have been implemented. The seasonal variability of CO2 emission from soils around the city has been directly measured using the chamber method; CO2 net flux from an area containing several source types has been measured with a relaxed eddy accumulation—a variation of the eddy covariance method. Global emissions inventory, as well as local statistical data have been utilized to assess anthropogenic component of the budget. As other cities where CO2 budget was quantified, Krakow proved to be a net source of this greenhouse gas, and the calculated annual mean net flux of CO2 to the atmosphere equal 6.1 kg C m−2 is consistent with previous estimations.

The Analysis of Green Areas' Accessibility in Comparison with Statistical Data in Poland.

The study discusses the problem of public green areas’ accessibility for the residents of large cities in Poland. The purpose of the research is to assess the possibility of applying the British Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (ANGSt) method in determining the amount of natural green space available to residents in Polish conditions including, in particular, the assessment of accessibility using data collected by the Central Statistical Office and the verification of results based on detailed research. The identification of green areas for 18 voivodeship cities in Poland was prepared using the GIS programme, taking into account public green space, provided for general access and free of change. The verification of the ANGSt method consisted of mapping spatial barriers extending the route of access either on foot or by roads as well as closed private areas. The conducted research revealed that, after taking into account the access routes to selected areas, the distance to public green areas increased, on average, from 50 m in the smallest cities (Gorzów Wielkopolski and Olsztyn) to as much as 450 m in Warszawa. A detailed analysis showed that the discussed accessibility was reduced, on average, by almost 10% for the residents of the analysed cities. It was also found that the introduced barriers did not affect the accessibility of more distant, larger green space areas.

Models of morphological transformations of centres of the largest Polish cities after World War II

ABSTRACT This paper examines the topic of changes in central parts of large cities in Poland that have occurred in the post-war period, which can be divided into two stages with different factors shaping urban space. The rebuilding of cities in Poland following destruction brought by WWII was one of the elements of building the socialist city. This process was frequently planned, often steered, unlike the dynamic processes initiated along with the political and socio-economic transformation of the 1990s, which took place already under market economy conditions. Three categories of city centres were distinguished according to the scope of rebuilding and the direction of post-war morphological changes: cities where changes were slight (Łódź, Kraków), partly reconstructed cities (Wrocław, Poznań), rebuilt and completely reconstructed cities (Gdańsk, Szczecin, Warszawa). In the post-war period, the city centres in question were characterized by diverse forms and scope of rebuilding of war damage, scale of expansion of the transport network, decline of the industrial function, development of large commercial complexes in the direct neighbourhood of the old centre, expansion of the office function and buildings and revitalization and revalorization of historical fabric.

Does the urban heat island determine the distribution of Fallopia taxa in cities? – preliminary study from Wrocław (Central Europe)

Among the invasive plant species found in Europe and North America, particular attention is paid to the Fallopia (Reynoutria) genus: Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis and the hybrid created as a result of their crossing - Fallopia × bohemica. Many works describe the extraordinary expansiveness of knotweeds, in anthropogenic habitats, especially in large cities, the representatives from the Fallopia genus are already a permanent element of the local flora. The specific ecological properties of the cities can favour the expansion of Fallopia genus. The goal of this work was to answering the question - is there a relationship between the spread of knotweeds in the city and the local climatic conditions in the form of the so-called urban heat island? The field work was carried out in Wroclaw, which is the fifth largest city in Poland, with an area of 292.82 km2 . The study showed that despite the potentially broad thermal amplitude, Fallopia japonica prefers the areas in the city with the highest temperature. The invasion of this species proceeds most intensively in the warmest regions of the city. Similar tendencies are observed in the case of the interspecies hybrid - Fallopia × bohemica. The third taxon - Fallopia sachalinensis - clearly prefers slightly colder parts of the city. It is worth noting that representatives of the Fallopia genus do not appear in the coldest parts of Wroclaw. This is quite puzzling, because in these city areas, there are some types of semi-natural habitats which the invasive knotweeds usually willingly occupy. The preliminary study shown that in the urban ecosystem, the thermal factor influences the spread of the Fallopia genus. Research in this area regarding the all Fallopia taxa will continue.

Public Investment Policy as a Driver of Changes in the Ecosystem Services Delivery by an Urban Green Infrastructure

Abstract The presented study considers the impact of public expenditure related to land development on the potential of an urban green infrastructure to provide ecosystem services (ES). The study site (Szachty) is located in Poznań, the fifth largest city in Poland. In the article, we recognised the type of expenditure (permanent infrastructure and ongoing maintenance), the costs and the influence on ES (stimulating, weakening or no relevant). The study shows that the financial policy concerning the study area is focused on creating an infrastructure that enhances cultural ecosystem services (CES). However, the creation of recreational facilities weakens the potential of the area for supplying regulating services concerning maintaining nursery populations and habitats. The results highlight the need for scientific support for policymakers in understanding the synergies and trade-offs between ES, resulting from financial decisions. This is particularly important in the decision-making process in the areas of high natural value, in which full, long-term effects of the decisions may be barely visible and incomprehensible for the society. Showing the impact of financial decisions on the structure and level of ES may provide arguments supporting a more complex and high-quality social dialogue, including balancing the interests of various stakeholders.

Do large Polish cities substitute their own-source revenues with fees and user charges?

This paper aims to assess if large Polish cities use fees and user charges to substitute other own-source revenues. The analysis has been conducted on a panel of 65 large cities in Poland in the period of 2004-2015. Using OLS and fixed effect panel analysis, it has been proved that cities pursue their policy in order to maximize their revenues, which is in line with the Leviathan theory assuming that public authorities maximize public revenues. Additionally, using the normalization quotient mapping, it has been confirmed that cities do not change their revenue policy in terms of taxes vs. fees and user charges trade-offs.

Possibilities of Using GIS Technology for Dynamic Planning of Investment Processes in Cities

Abstract The use of GIS (Geographic Information System) systems to manage investments in cities is becoming more and more popular. Current technology enables the use of GIS system with the use of network technology. In this way, the same maps can be used by users of different units. Implementation of investments in cities often requires cooperation between different institutions, offices and other entities. For this purpose, it is possible to create electronic communities, which can be realized through electronic channels. This concept was called the Regional Business Spatial Community. The GIS tools can be considered as an integrating element between actors in the environment. GIS tools can be an element integrating the environments in which investments are made. On shared maps, not only existing facilities can be marked, but also implemented, planned or even postulated projects. The aim of the paper is to present the results of research conducted to identify whether, at a specific stage, the use of GIS technology in cities can serve as a platform conducive to the creation of regional electronic communities to facilitate investment in the city. The study covered 10 largest cities in Poland in the form of observations. In the case of 5 entities, a questionnaire interview was conducted. Based on the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that from a technical point of view, GIS software can be such a platform. The problem is the business, information and organizational platforms.

Rozrost terytorialny dużych miast w Polsce = Territorial development of large cities in Poland

The primary aim of the study was to identify the process of territorial expansion and spatial development in large cities of Poland: Wrocław, Warsaw and Cracow. This denoted the gathering of information on changes in administrative boundaries as well as population in the cities referred to – from the 13th century all the way through to modern times. The research hypothesis adopted was that cities expand their territories gradually, with each extension of administrative boundaries following a specific pattern and reflecting social and economic growth. The territorial development of a city (territorial change) thus relates to growth (change) in the administrative area, often in the form of expansion in relation to a widening of administrative boundaries, but with narrowing also possible. The spatial development of the city in turn follows the development of urbanised areas both within the boundaries and in the immediate vicinity of the given city. The study was inspired by observations on the specific nature of territorial growth in Wrocław and other large cities in Poland, for which analysis revealed some regularities to the settlement processes during different historical periods. Firstly, changes in the administrative boundaries of large cities followed a pulsatile pattern, with consecutive modifications alternating with periods of stability of variable length. Secondly, the territorial expansion of a city usually came after a period of dynamic social and economic growth both within existing boundaries and in the surrounding zone connected closely with the city and transformed under its influence. In turn, most longer periods in which boundaries were stable corresponded to periods of social and economic stagnation in the given city. Thirdly, the boundaries of cities changed when a certain climax point of population density was exceeded, and the city could no longer grow within its existing boundaries. Each extension contributed to an increase in the administered area and to population growth, albeit with populati n density decreasing considerably – in statistical terms – given the incorporation of new, less-urbanised areas offering free (potential) land for further urban growth. Fourthly, the sequence of development processes and their specific repeatability are cyclical in nature, and consecutive cycles are seen to end successive stages involving the extension of cities’ administrative boundaries. A single cycle of changes in the administrative boundaries of the city consists of five basic phases. Phase I is the initial phase, which takes place at the moment of foundation of a city, or in the case of subsequent cycles – when there is extension of the city limits. During phase II the number of residents and population density within the city borders increase as a result of socio-economic growth. During phase III population density within the city boundaries continues to increase, and after reaching the limit of its growth potential the city sprawls to the nearest neighbourhood. During phase IV the impact of the city n its neighbourhood stimulates further development of the suburbs. This process may also often encompass suburban villages or smaller towns strongly connected with the city. During phase V the functional link between the city and its neighbourhood (suburbs) is so strong that the administrative boundaries are extended to include suburban areas that represent a natural extension of the city. This contributes to an increase in area and population growth, as well as to a major decrease in population density within the new boundaries. This phase is at the same time the initial phase for the next cycle of a city’s spatial and territorial development. The above described cyclical pattern of territorial growth concerns a specific group of cities – monocentric regional centres developing as a result of the influence of centripetal forces in the physicalism and functional approach.

Seniorzy w miastach i analiza miast przyjaznych seniorom dla wybranych miast polskich – odporne podejście taksonomiczne

The purpose of the article is to assess selected large cities in Poland as senior-friendly. Using the municipal population forecast for 2017-2030 published in 2017, together with the available database, own analyses were made for selected cities in Poland. Additionally for the description of ‘senior-friendly’ cities, it was assumed that the starting point is the WHO definition, which indicated four main criteria determining whether a given city can be considered to be friendly to the elderly. In a city friendly to seniors, the principles, services, environment and structures built up support the active ageing process and avail it for the residents. For the purposes of the research, taking into account the above objectives and based on published sources, a descriptive model was created. The study assessed selected Polish cities as senior-friendly cities, using the robust taxonomic approach.

Smart Blue Cities

This paper presents the concept of Smart Cities from the perspective of those located by water, considering if there are more major differences in the way the concept is implemented in coastal cities, as opposed to those located anywhere else. It proves possible to point to such differences, in relation to the three key areas of mobility, the environment and living. Further consideration is given to specific legal and cross-cultural challenges – like excessive tourism and issues of short-term rental – as these appear from the Smart City perspective; and relevant mobility challenges are also addressed. The article further refers to aspects the Smart City and blue growth concepts have in common, as well as to areas in which coordination of the two will be necessary. Ultimately, conclusions are arrived at on the basis of research results for 10 large cities in Poland, the readiness of their city offices to implement the Smart City concept having been the subject of verification.

Geographical extent of migration and the age of migrants on the example of the largest cities in Poland

The article is about the migration of people to and from large cities. The aim of the study is to determine the influence of physical distance on the geographical extent of internal migrations depending on the migrants’ age. Five major cities in Poland were analysed in this context. Gravity models, which describe migrations as a function of geographical distance, were applied in the study. The statistics on the number of internal migrations relating to 2018 used in the analysis came from Statistics Poland (and more specifically, from current population registers). The analysis allowed the determination of the exponents of the gravity function and their variability depending on the age of migrants. The results demonstrate that in the case of the most mobile people (aged 25–29), the extent of migration fields (inflow and outflow) is characterised by the greatest geographical spread. Migration inflow models indicate that among the oldest people (aged 85 and above) longer-distance relocations are more likely than short-distance moves. The least mobile groups comprise people aged 35–39 and those recently retired (aged 65–69).

DETERMINANTS OF DEBT IN RURAL MUNICIPALITIES ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE WARMIŃSKO-MAZURSKIE VOIVODESHIP

One of the major consequences of the economic crisis with which the local governments had to deal was growing debt, the implications of which could endanger the continuity of public services. It appears that the largest cities in Poland were especially exposed to the negative effects of the indebtedness, yet the problem affected the village communes as well. Therefore, the main aim of the article was to assess the level of indebtedness of rural communes against other communes as well as to identify the determinants of the debt. As an example for the analysis communes of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship were selected, as the region is characterized by a high share of rural areas as well as a rather unfavourable economic situation. The general indebtedness of the selected rural communes remained at a relatively low level in comparison to the urban and urban-rural communes. Findings also suggest that the level of debt was influenced primarily by such factors as the number of inhabitants in the studied area, the number of primary schools, as well as the share of the post-working age population in the population total.

PURCHASE DETERMINANTS OF DURABLE GOODS FOR RESIDENTS OF LARGE CITIES IN POLAND

The article presents an analysis of purchase determinants for individual consumers of durable goods in 6 large cities in Poland. The analysis has been based on the outcomes of consumer research carried out in the years 2016 and 2017 at Poznan University of Economics and Business, as well as on other research studies published in Polish publications. The results of the study demonstrate groups of determinants that shape the purchasing decisions of consumers of durable products, as well as their variability in years 2016 and 2017.

Online Tourist Information in the Largest Polish Cities

Purpose/Thesis: This paper analyzes selected tourism websites for the largest cities in Poland. The paper answers following research questions: are the different websites designed to provide the tourists the relevant information?; do local conditions shape the content provided on these websites?; are these websites multilingual?; do they suggest possible itineraries?; how do they develop?Approach/Methods: The article uses comparative quantitative and qualitative analysis to study the information systems employed by the websites of the largest Polish cities: Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, Wroclaw, Poznan and Gdansk. These cities are popular tourist destinations; each has an information system, reflecting the specific tourist services they offer.Results and conclusions: The organization scheme for each website is different, despite the fact that they were all designed for related organizational entities gathered in the structure of Polish Tourism Organization. Each site has a different design and appearance; different resources were dedicated to each. They are more varied than the websites of the analogous organizations operating in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The specificity of the region has more of an impact on the content offered to the user. In recent years, more flat websites, imitating the paper guides, were gradually replaced by multimedia platforms enabling various interactions with more dynamic content.Originality/Value: To the best of the author’s knowledge, the research presented in the paper is the first attempt to characterize and compare tourist information websites of the six largest cities in Poland.