Polish Cities Research Articles

Ash pollen season in selected Polish cities in 2023

According to some authors, ash pollen has strong allergenic properties. In Europe the allergenic significance of this pollen has been poorly studied as the amounts of ash pollen in the air are low. However, in Poland we are more and more often observing ash pollen seasons with the total annual pollen sum exceeding 1000 grains. In 2023, it was found in Cracow and Łódź. This study compares the ash pollen seasons in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Kielce, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Opole, Olsztyn, Szczecin, Lodz, Wroclaw, Zielona Gora, Warsaw and Lublin in 2023. The investigations were carried out using the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal pollen index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. The ash pollination is mainly observed in April. Diagnosis of ash pollen allergy is made difficult due to an overlapping pollination period with Betulaceae and some cross-reactivity with allergens from birch, and even privet and olive. It is not clear whether ash pollen is a primary cause of sensitization or whether it is implicated through cross-sensitization to other pollens. In 2023 the pollen season of ash started first in Kielce and Opole, on the March 11th and 13th. At the latest, a pollen season ended in Bialystok, on the May 12th. The differences of pollen seasons duration were very considerable, from 23 to 57 days. The highest airborne concentration of 530 (!) pollen grains/m3 was noted in Cracow on the April 3rd. The peak values of seasonal pollen count in Polish cities occurred between April 3rd and 24th, most often between April 17th and 24th. The highest ash pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2023 in Cracow and Lodz, and was at least 2–3 times higher than in other cities. The highest variability in the analysed seasons was found in the peak value and annual total.

The Idea of a ‘Just City’ – a Concept of an Aggregate Measure of Development in Polish Cities

The subject of the article is the ‘just city’ concept. Justice, greening and making cities productive in the long term are the main axes of the integrated development of modern cities. The main goal of the paper is to discuss and assess the degree of justice in the development of 66 Polish cities with poviat rights in 2010, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Based on previous research and available data, an aggregate measure of a just city is proposed. A dynamic method of zero unitarization is used. The analysis shows that between 2010 and 2020, there was an increase in the level of justice in urban development (the average yearly rate of change was 2.5%). Only seven cities recorded a decline. There was also a slight and decreasing variation in cities in terms of the urban justice. One can even speak of an equalization of inequality here.

The contributions of Idzi Radziszewski, Gommar Michiels and Stefan Wyszyński to research in Dutch Studies at the Catholic University of Lublin in the light of the university’s contacts with the Low Countries (1918–1939)

In 1918 a Catholic university (KUL) was founded in the Polish city of Lublin. Idzi Radziszewski (1871–1922), a graduate of the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), became the first rector of KUL. The connection with KU Leuven is an important part of the founding narrative of this Polish university. But what about Dutch studies – were they pursued before 1977 (the official beginning of Dutch studies at KUL)? The aim of this article is twofold. First, it examines the extent of the Polish-Dutch and Polish-Flemish academic exchanges between 1918 and 1939, focusing on Polish graduates of Belgian universities working at KUL, KUL scholars visiting Belgium and the Netherlands and Flemish and Dutch scholars employed at KUL. Subsequently, the relationship of the earliest products of the scholarly activities of the leading members of the academic community at KUL with Dutch studies will be assessed: Idzi Radziszewski’s Wszechnica katolicka w Lowanium [The Catholic University in Leuven, 1908], “Ruch flamandzki” [“The Flemish Movement”, 1923] by Gommar Michiels OFMCap and future cardinal and primate of Poland Stefan Wyszyński’s Główne typy akcji katolickiej za granicą [The Main Types of Catholic Action Abroad, 1931]. Of these, Michiels’ article is the most significant monographic contribution to the field of Dutch studies. However, the other two are important works in which the objects of Dutch studies are presented in an interdisciplinary context.

“Productive Cities” in Poland – A comparative analysis based on an aggregate measure of development

The subject of the article is the “productive city”, which, along with the “green city” and the “just city,” is one of the main axes of the integrated development of modern cities. The main goal is to assess the degree of productivity in the development of Polish cities. The research covered 66 cities with poviat rights in 2010, 2015, 2018, and 2020. Based on previous research and available data, an aggregated measure of the productive city was proposed based on the linear ordering method. For this purpose, the average value of diagnostic variables (stimulants and destimulants) was determined using a dynamic version of the zero unitisation method. The analysis showed moderate productivity and progress in Polish cities, with an increase of approx. 2.1% over the decade 2010-2020. However, there is a decreasing differentiation in terms of the composite measure. One of the major limitations of the research was spatiotemporal data availability and continuity.

Changes in Temperature and Precipitation Trends in Selected Polish Cities Based on the Results of Regional EURO-CORDEX Climate Models in the 2030–2050 Horizon

This study presents the potential impacts of climate change in 49 Polish cities by analyzing seven climate indicators. The analysis was carried out for the following three horizons: the current climate conditions (an average period spanning 2006 to 2015), near-future conditions (an average period spanning 2026 to 2035), and future conditions (an average period spanning 2046 to 2055). Climate indices were computed with bias-corrected EURO-CORDEX model ensembles from two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The systematic error was reduced using the quantile mapping method with a non-parametric approach of robust empirical quantiles (RQUANT). Data were used as references in the period of current climate conditions, and those required for bias correction consisted of historical ground-based observations provided by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. The analysis encompassed various key climate indices, including the annual average temperature, the count of hot days, cold days, and frost days, the cumulative annual precipitation, the frequency of days with precipitation, and instances of extreme precipitation (defined as the days with precipitation exceeding 10 mm/day). These findings reveal a noteworthy rise in the average annual temperature of approximately 1 °C and an uptick in the number of hot days by 3.7 days. Conversely, a decline in the number of cold days by approximately 19 days and frost days by 8 days was observed. Additionally, there was an augmentation in the annual precipitation sum, reaching up to 80 mm in RCP 8.5, accompanied by an increase in the number of days with precipitation (up by 3.3 days) and days with extreme precipitation (up by 2 days).

Pamiątkowe nazwy ulic Lublina w ujęciu językoznawczym

The article is devoted to proper names of Lublin, in particular the names of streets, squares, and boulevards. The starting point for linguistic considerations are selected terminological issues in the field of contemporary onomastics and analytical works devoted to street names in Polish cities (including the achievements of Mieczysław Buczyński – a researcher of Lublin urbanonyms). The term “commemorative names” is broadly understood and defined as a set of names created intentionally by authorities to honor figures, events, social and political organizations and military formations significant to a given community. The analytical part discusses the classification of semantic categories of Lublin’s commemorative names. It is based on the division into three groups: (1) anthroponymous names (formed from the names and surnames of people distinguished for Lublin and the region, from people distinguished for Polish culture, from people distinguished for world culture), (2) names related to historical events and anniversaries, street names from military formations, social and political organizations/movements, (3) street names derived from military formations, social and political organizations/movements, groups, societies and associations. The study showed that the commemorative street names of Lublin fulfill the functions typical of urban names (identity, communication, social, cognitive). These names unify the local community, fulfill a propaganda function (reflect the system of values promoted by the city authorities), show naming trends in a given period, and fit into the concept of city development. Changes in the names of Lublin’s streets reflect nationwide socio-cultural changes.

Admissibility of submission of a citizens’ draft resolution on the preparationof a local area development plan

The purpose of the paper is to analyse the problem of admissibility of the "opening" of a local spatial development plan by way of a "citizens' resolution initiative" and to answer the question: may such matters not be the subject of a draft resolution drawn up by the inhabitants of a municipality? The author presents an example from the practice of one of Polish cities, where a group of 300 inhabitants of a municipality submitted to the city council a draft resolution on accession to a change of a local spatial development plan. In the course of work on the project it turned out that it had received a negative legal opinion, which resulted in taking the initiative off the city council's work schedule (and its actual withdrawal). The author presents the theses of this opinion and criticises them. The thesis presented in the paper is that the provisions of law (and findings of scientific output) do not allow to assume that a draft resolution "opening a local plan" may not be the subject of a citizens' legislative initiative.

A New Approach to the Development of Geothermal Water Utilization in the Context of Identifying and Meeting the Social Needs of Local Communities: A Case Study from the Mogilno–Łódź Trough, Central Poland

For many years, geothermal energy has been successfully used for both energy as well as balneological, healing, and recreational purposes. It should be emphasized that, along with the great interest in geothermal investments, the development of other economic sectors (i.e., tourism, cosmetology, food production, and many other sectors related directly or indirectly to geothermal waters) are also noted in this paper. That kind of development is seen both in regions where centers using geothermal energy are created, as well as in their immediate vicinity. An important aspect of the use of geothermal energy is also its positive impact on the environment by reducing the emission of pollutants that could end up in the environment as a result of using conventional energy sources, namely coal or natural gas. Given the high level of air pollution in Poland, according to data from the European Environment Agency, 12 Polish cities are among the 20 most polluted cities in Europe (data for 2021–2022), and this aspect seems to be key for achieving sustainability while maintaining economic balance. In this article, a new approach to the development of geothermal water utilization in the context of identifying and meeting the social needs of local communities in the Mogilno–Łódź Trough region is described.

Disparities in innovation capital of cities in Poland

ObjectivesThe aim of the paper is to measure innovation capital of Polish cities and verify whether its dispersion changed.Material and methodsData was retrieved from the Local Data Bank provided by Statistics Poland. The sample consists of 18 Polish cities. The research period covers years 2014-2021. The TOPSIS method was applied to build the innovation capital index of cities and sigma convergence of innovation capital was verified.ResultsThe findings indicate relatively high cross-sectional disparities in the vast majority of the investigated indicators of cities’ innovation capital. The largest disparities were identified for the number of higher education graduates and the new registered enterprises in high-tech services sector. The constructed composite indicator - innovation capital index took the highest average values in the analysed period for Wrocław, Poznań, Kraków, Warszawa, and Lublin, whereas Gorzów Wielkopolski, Zielona Góra, Bydgoszcz, and Białystok achieved the lowest values. The sigma convergence analysis revealed that the differentiation of innovation capital in Polish cities remained at a similar level and there was no convergence in this area.ConclusionsInnovation capital plays a key role in the development of urban economy. Given the complexity of innovation capital, its measurement should comprise a set of indicators reflecting both output and input dimensions. Identification of spatial patterns of innovation capital distribution should enable to adjust smart specialization strategy to territorial characteristics of a given city.

The Impact of Health Status and Experienced Disutility on Air Quality Valuation

This paper examines the impact of health status, and of experienced disutility caused by air pollution, on individuals' preferences regarding the health risk reductions resulting from air quality improvement. We investigate if changes in the level of experienced disutility due to air pollution mediate the relationship between individuals' respiratory health status and their preferences regarding health risk reductions. For this purpose, we conducted a choice experiment study among inhabitants of four big Polish cities that have varying levels of particulate matter pollution. We used the modified Medical Research Council breathlessness scale, verified in clinical trials, to obtain information about respondents’ health status, except for usually applied health status measures in stated preference surveys. We do not find any direct impact of health status (apart from smoking) on willingness to pay for air quality improvement. Our results indicate, however, that individuals who self-reported a respiratory diagnosis, as well as those who scored high on the breathlessness scale, are more likely to display a latent trait indicating experienced disutility due to air pollution, and that those who experience this disutility are, in general, more in favour of air quality improvement programmes.

Security means age-friendliness. Analysis of older people’s needs regarding the safe infrastructure of open residential spaces. A Case Study of Poland, the EU member country

Motives: In the era of ageing population and threats arising from economic and geopolitical circumstances there is a need to adapt housing estates to different social groups, especially older persons as a particularly vulnerable group.Aim: The research objective of the article was to study the relevance of selected elements of infrastructure in open residential spaces regarding the safety in the eyes of older people in the face of various threats, such as pandemics and military conflicts.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to investigate the level of significance of selected elements of infrastructure based on in-depth literature research. The questionnaire survey was conducted twice on two random population samples (October 2021 and March/April 2022) in five chosen Polish cities (capitals of voivodeships).Results: Changes in the perceived importance of factors associated with residential safety were identified in the face of two types of threats. Urban planning solutions that contribute to a sense of security were identified in different gender and age groups. Public open spaces in cities should be accessible, user-friendly, and safe; they should promote social interactions with other residents, be aesthetically appealing, and encourage social activation.

ANALIZA TRENDÓW ROZWOJOWYCH MIAST SIECI CITTASLOW W POLSCE W LATACH 2006-2019

The article presents a study of Polish cities, members of the cittaslow network, before the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis covered twenty-nine cities that belonged to the network before 2019. The research is divided into three stages: the first one focuses on the analysis of strategic and planning documents at the municipal, provincial, and national levels; the second one examines investments by the cities and determines their relation to the cittaslow idea to highlight directions of development; whereas the third stage analyses statistical data to determine whether the cittaslow cities in Poland show an upward growth trend based on selected indicators. The analyses aim to assess whether and to what extent the idea of cittaslow is an important factor in the development of the cities.

Imigracja ukraińska do Polski

The aim of the article is to analyse the immigration of Ukrainians to Poland against the background of changing migration policy. It contains the thesis that changes in Polish migration policy are a consequence of demographic problems as well as those related to the needs of the labour market. Numerous legal regulations facilitating Ukrainian immigrants’ settlement and work in Poland have been introduced since 2015. Poland’s openness to visitors from Ukraine after the outbreak of the war on its territory was confirmed in the Act of 12 March 2022 on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that country. Currently, there are approximately 3.2 million Ukrainians in Poland, including 2.2 million in the areas of the Union of Metropolises of Polish Cities.

Modeling and Analyzing Urban Sensor Network Connectivity Based on Open Data

The optimization of network topology is crucial to achieve efficient data transmission in wireless sensor networks. Recently it has been proven that emerging open data sources can be used for modeling the structures of heterogeneous urban sensor networks. With this, leveraging real location data of various networked and sensing devices became feasible and essential. This approach enables the construction and analysis of more accurate representations based on frequently updated actual network infrastructure topology data, as opposed to using synthetic models or test environments. The presented modeling method serves as the basis for the designed architecture and implemented research environment. This paper introduces a set of algorithms which transform devices’ location data into graph-based wireless network connectivity models. Each algorithm is thoroughly discussed and evaluated. Moreover, static (momentary) and dynamic (time-spanning) network topologies are constructed in four large Polish cities based on publicly available data. Multidimensional simulation-based analysis is conducted to investigate the characteristics of the modeled structures. Directions for further research are suggested as well.

Festiwale nauki z perspektywy publiczności: analiza treści programów wydarzeń

In the article I am presenting the results of a systematic review of the event programmes of eight science festivals organised in various Polish cities. The aim of the study is to identify the most common forms of festival activities and the scientific disciplines represented. In the paper, I also try to establish whether science festivals go beyond the walls of universities, and to what extent they provide opportunites to interact with the scientists in a relaxed, uninhibited manner (e.g. during workshops). In the course of the analyses I also examine to whether individual scientific fields are in any way particular (e.g. have preferred forms of activity). I use the results as a starting point for further questions: to what extent do festivals go beyond the usual modes of communication in the academy? To what extent does their formula allow us to assume that they reach a broad audience, the so-called society?

A Smart City Is a Safe City: Analysis and Evaluation of the State of Crime and Safety in Polish Cities

The concept of a smart city is based on the extensive multidimensional use of information and communication technologies to create the most favorable living conditions for residents and visitors. It is also important to create favorable conditions for economic activity while respecting the environment. One of the most important dimensions of this concept is security in the broadest sense, particularly that which concerns urban residents. This article addresses this subject by analyzing crime and determining the state of safety in 16 Polish provincial cities between 2013–2022. The measure of this state was chosen to be a set of indicators characterizing a number of registered criminal and economic offenses in the studied cities. On this basis, values of the indices of the dynamics of change for these offenses in individual cities in the analyzed period were determined. In the next stage, the number of offenses was compared to the number of residents of the cities under study and the indices of concentration for total offenses (LQT) and for individual types of offenses (LQn) were determined. Based on these results, the studied cities were divided into four concentration levels. Afterward, these results were used for a multi-criteria analysis of the safety of studied cities, which was carried out using the TOPSIS method. The calculated values of the safety index (Pi) formed the basis for creating a ranking and specifying security levels of studied cities. The results indicate a wide variation among the cities in terms of safety levels. Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, Olsztyn and Zielona Góra were found to be the safest cities, while Szczecin was found to be the least safe. The methodology developed and the results obtained show the validity of conducting comparative research in areas relevant to the implementation of the smart cities concept. The knowledge gained can be used to build strategies and conduct policies with regard to improving safety in cities, especially those aspiring to be smart cities.

Seniors' housing preferences in medium-sized cities in Poland

Purpose: The paper investigates senior citizens' housing preferences and needs in medium-sized Polish cities, aiming to inform sustainable housing development strategies that cater to an ageing population. Methodology: Utilizing a questionnaire survey, the study engages a representative group of seniors and pre-seniors within the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship to gather data on their housing conditions, preferences, and expectations. Results: Findings reveal a significant demand for housing adapted to seniors’ needs, with preferences leaning towards dwellings without architectural barriers and including essential services. The research highlights the discrepancy between current living conditions and the ideal housing situation for seniors. Theoretical Contribution: This paper contributes to the discourse on sustainable urban development by emphasizing the importance of integrating senior citizens’ housing preferences into planning and policy-making processes. Practical Implications: The study offers valuable insights for real estate developers, urban planners, and policymakers, suggesting the need for a diversified housing market that includes options tailored to the elderly, potentially influencing future housing policies and market offerings.

КОНЦЕПЦІЯ МІСТА-САДУ: ФОРМУВАННЯ І РОЗВИТОК НА ПОЛЬСЬКИХ ТЕРЕНАХ УПРОДОВЖ ПЕРШОЇ ЧВЕРТІ XX СТОЛІТТЯ

The article examines the formation and development of the garden city concept in Poland during the first quarter of the twentieth century. The experience of Polish architecture and urbanism in the context of the garden city idea before the First World War and in the first postwar years is highlighted. Examples of realized Polish garden cities, the activities of both individual figures and entire societies and organizations that promoted the garden city concession are described. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to create a balanced and unified urban strategy for the restoration of Ukraine, which would have not only a proper legal basis, but also a strong value character, which is inherent in the garden city concept.

Application of synanthropic plants in the design of green spaces in Warsaw (Poland)

Abstract The aim of the study was to summarize the use of synanthropic vegetation in public green areas of selected Polish cities. The study included issues related to phytosociology and landscape architecture. For this purpose, a literature study was performed. Part 1 identified possible ways of using synanthropic vegetation in the design of public green areas, Part 2 showed examples of such areas from Warsaw. The authors suggested species that can help enrich urban lawns, part 3 contains proposition of plant species composition for more natural lawns in city parks, including synanthropic plants typical for Poland (prepared by the authors). The process of gradual introduction of synanthropic vegetation in Poland was summarized and compared to the trends in Western European countries. The urban policy of Warsaw regarding the mowing of lawns and the use of flower meadows was briefly described, which influences the presence of synanthropic species in the urban environment. A watershed moment for the use of synanthropic species in Poland was identified, as well as the authors‘ predictions for their future use.

Air pollution in major Polish cities in the period 2005–2021: Intensity, effects and attempts to reduce it

Air quality in Poland is among the lowest in Europe due to high emissions of harmful substances. This causes the development of diseases and leads to a high number of premature deaths. Particularly high pollution occurs in parts of urban areas. The most serious problem is unregulated emissions from buildings and vehicles. That is why it is so important to take action to improve air quality at the local level. The study assessed changes in the concentrations of NO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5 and benzo(a)pyrene in 11 major Polish cities between 2005 and 2021. In 2021 average levels were: NO2 - 25 μg/m3, O3 - 45 μg/m3, PM10 - 26 μg/m3, PM2.5 -17 μg/m3, benzo(a)pyrene - 2.1 ng/m3. The highest exceedances of WHO standards over the studied period were for PM2.5, followed by NO2 and PM10. The annual average levels fell by 17% for NO2 and by 18% for PM10 between 2005 and 2021, and by 34% for PM2.5 and 27% for benzo(a)pyrene between 2010 and 2021. The most polluted cities are Kraków, Katowice and Łódź. The highest concentrations of pollutants typically occurred in 2006 and 2011, the lowest in 2020. Strategic documents and programmes that formulate objectives for reducing emissions and improving air quality were evaluated. Policy documents enable numerous measures to improve air quality. Plans are not always effectively implemented due to a lack of formal tools and financial resources.