Abstract - Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization PAS

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The 1989 fall of the Iron Curtain marked the beginning of new economic, socio-cultural and political realities for the former socialist states in Central and Eastern Europe. Along with the economic restructuring from statecentralised to market economy, democratisation and liberalisation initiated a transformation of the socialist urban space, which was characterised by the changing role of its iconic landmarks. This conceptual paper examines these post-1989 changes, which range between the removal of these landmarks and their transition into market led iconic and flagship attractions. The paper identifies the changing role of tourism from a topbottom orchestrated to a market led activity, which explains the transformation of some of these landmarks. It introduces a new framework for studying this process by suggesting that iconisation, de-iconisation and re-iconisation processes are interrelated to other strategies and approaches to the transition of the socialist urban landscape into a western market economy. The paper identifies avenues for further research and provides some recommendations for improving the management of similar processes.
The agricultural abandonment and reforestation taking place over the last few decades in the Carpathians has led to accelerated transformation of pasture landscape. The trajectories of pasture landscape changes, the factors threatening and supporting the pastures’ traditional use have been established on the basis of archival and contemporary cartographic materials, historical scientific works and archival photographs. An attempt has also been made to assess pasture landscape durability. The major part of the former pasture landscape has evolved into forest or settlement landscapes. The pasture landscape durability will only be possible if the operations supporting the traditional mountain grazing are continued.
The aim of our study was to determine the nature of the relationships among the characteristics of earthworm assemblages, selected soil properties and the degree of landscape fragmentation against seasonal changes. The study area was located near Rogajny in the Suwałki Lake District, where 54 permanent study plots were established in a homogeneous field (Dd) and in a mosaic of small fields and balks (Dm). The earthworms were collected in spring and autumn over a two-year period (2007–2008), from blocks of soil measuring 25×25×30 cm. Soil samples were collected from the same sampling points as the earthworms. Both, qualitative and quantitative parameters of earthworm assemblages showed the same trends, thus appearing to be equally reflective. The complex arable landscape site supported higher earthworm diversity, abundance and biomass than the homogeneous arable landscape. The spring and autumn earthworm sampling campaigns revealed very different patterns. We conclude that species richness is determined mostly by spatial structure of agrocenosis mosaics, whilst abundance and biomass of earthworm community is mainly influenced by soil conditions. Comparisons between data and formulating conclusions should be made with great care, as these relations depend on the temporal scales to a large extent.
The aim of our work to describe the plant cover in the area of the river Warta’s inflow and discharge into the Reservoir. To the above end, field studies were conducted along 6 transects (10 m wide and 513 to 2416 m long, depending on the influence of surface waters) intended to reveal abrasive, accumulative and stabilised impacts of water. Różnorodność roślinności i dynamika procesów sukcesyjnych związanych z aktywnością wód powierzchniowych wskazuje na potrzebę dla ochrony prawnej nie tylko ptaków, ale także siedlisk. Obszar ten dobrze ilustruje zjawiska związane z działalnością dużej rzeki, z różnorodnością roślinności kolejno seria tego rodzaju, której nie można już znaleźć pod tamą Reservoir.
The aim of the analysis was to compare physicochemical parameters and chemical composition of two groups of artificial reservoirs, mountain and lowland ones, characterised by different parameters and functions. Three mountain artificial reservoirs (Klimkówka, Dobczyce, Czorsztyn) located in the Upper Vistula basin (Carpathian Mountains in Poland) and three lowland reservoirs (Ivankovo, Verhnevolzhskoye, Vyshnevolotzkoye) located in the Upper Volga basin (Eastern European Lowland in Russia) were selected for the study. Data for the summer season in 2009-2013 were used in the analysis. Mountain reservoirs display high water concentrations of sulphates, chlorides and biogenic nitrates, and lower concentrations of ammonium and oxygen indicator in relation to lowland reservoirs. Similar concentrations of phosphates were noticed in both the mountain and the lowland reservoirs. The hydrochemical differentiation between the individual mountain reservoirs was small, and statistically significant differences only occurred for SEC. Greater differentiation of the hydrochemical parameters was found among the lowland reservoirs. Statistically significant differences were demonstrated with regard to SEC, Cl- and NO3-.
The aim of the article is to characterize one of the forms concerning conflict management, i.e. overcoming the conflict, which appeared in the context of the schools liquidation in rural areas. The presented analyzes are based on the results of empirical research conducted among stakeholders of local educational policy in Poland from 2016 to 2018. The author focused primarily on the actions of local authorities (mayors) to overcome the social conflict arising from the planned liquidation of local schools. These activities concerned teachers who were the inspirers and leaders of the local conflict in the examined rural municipalities. The measures applied to teachers did not resolve the conflict (nor eliminated its causes) and appeared to be irrational from the economic point of view. Nevertheless, they helped to overcome the conflict and limit its negative consequences. The theoretical framework of the article is defined by the concept of social conflict developed by L.A. Coser and selected theoretical approaches towards conflict management.
The aim of the article is to define the concept of territorial classification and typology, including classification and typology of spatial units, and to systematize the practical variants of the method, as well as to identify the possibilities of using functional structure as a research tool. It systematizes existing approaches of creating functional classifications and typologies and presents examples of their application in analyses to interpret and explain dissection of individual variables. The paper consists of two parts. In the first one the spatial unit classification has been defined and distinguished from related terms. Different classification of rural areas has been systemized using formal and methodological or substantive criteria. In the second part, diverse empirical examples of rural spatial units classifications regarding functional structure and their application have been examined in relation to above mentioned systematics.
The aim of the article is to evaluate law regulations being in force in Poland regarding the participation of local communities in shaping the rural space in relation to the concept of ladder of citizen participation by S. Arnstein and the idea of collaborative planning. It has been assumed that shaping the space involves both establishing and defining borders of given areas, its planning with various degrees of detail (appointing development priorities, defining destination and land use), as well as planning and implementation of specific projects. For this purpose, 27 legal acts (laws and national regulations) have been reviewed. These documents outline the framework for the inclusion of society (including local communities) in shaping the rural space and the interpretations of legal provisions made by other authors have been implemented. Inspired by the concept ladder of citizen participation according to S. Arnstein (1969), a diagram was developed illustrating the degree of public participation guaranteed by the legislative system in shaping the rural space divided into categories, taking into account the role of local communities.
The aim of the article is to indicate fundamental factors determining the potential opportunities to improving economic welfare of rural communities in Poland - in particular by increasing the added value. Rural areas have made a significant contribution to the general socio-economic development in the period of industrialization at the same time taking a little advantage of it. In particular, the size of added value generated in rural areas has decreased mainly due to agriculture and rural crafts. This situation began to change under the influence of accession to the European Union, changes in the urban-rural relationship, the phenomena of globalization and the new situation in terms of food security. Because the creation of added value is key to increasing welfare in rural areas, the usage of every opportunity is crucial. Therefore, there is a need for a rational, agriculture and rural development policy
The aim of the article was to diagnose economic and environmental factors determining trade in agricultural land of Poland. The agricultural land can have many values and functions depending on the different needs of buyers. It is important what price of land the buyer expects in the future, what goals are assumed and what is the quality of land. Among economic factors, the following were distinguished: price, supply and demand for agricultural land intended for agricultural production or for non-agricultural purposes, parallel functioning of two market segments – private (on which the majority of trade in agricultural land takes place between farmers), as well as the land market – Agricultural Property Stock of the State Treasury, profitability of agricultural production. Among the most important environmental factors were included: bonitation (land classification) and agrotechnical category of soils, existence of mineral deposits within the boundaries of the real estate, location in areas subject to legal protection, current development status, location in an attractive natural environment, land form, difficulties in accessing the property. An important role and significance in agricultural land turnover was attributed to soil bonitation, which is necessary before the valuation of agricultural real estate due to possible changes in use, quality classes or soil degradation, which has a direct impact on the property value. In the current legal reality of trade in agricultural land in Poland, the results of land classification have a large impact on the economic effects of agricultural land allocation for non-agricultural purposes, e.g. construction or exploitation of minerals.
The aim of the current study was to identify the main actors (leaders) involved in transformations of mediumsized cities in Poland and Russia that share similar legacies but took different development paths after the collapse of state socialism. These transformations are discussed using the framework of urban regeneration and are based on empirical data from two cities – Kolomna (Russia) and Kalisz (Poland). The data were obtained through expert interviews, as well as nonparticipant observation in the two cities. Though the process of urban regeneration shows similarities, the process leaders are different.
The aim of the paper is to characterize the trends of sunshine duration (SDU) and air temperature in Poland, which may help understand the mechanism of contemporary climate change. The daily totals of SDU and daily data on air temperature from the years 1971-2020, from 25 synoptic stations in Poland are the basic source data. The series of records of the two variables showed that the points of change in the level of stabilization of the value of SDU and air temperature are close to each other, and confirm known in the literature “global dimming” and “global brightening” periods. The linear regression model confirmed that sunshine duration explains well the variability of, and increase in day-time air temperature in Poland in the warm part of the year.
The aim of the paper is to identify demographic and spatial suburbanization in the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area. To illustrate the issue, a coverage map and statistical data taking into account the dynamics indicators were used. Data from the Central Statistical Office demonstrate stagnation of the population in the core of the metropolis, but the data do not include unregistered migrants. The results show intensive growth of population in the near suburban zone, i.e. functional zone and slight increase in the further suburban zone, i.e. potential functional zone. The dynamics in the number of new dwellings, which is one of the measures of spatial urbanization indicates that the highest growth is recorded in near suburban zone and next in the core of the metropolis i.e. in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot. In the further suburban zone the process of extensive suburbanization is observed. Additionally, suburbanization is being affected by the new railway line, i.e. the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway. The first changes of increasing in construction can be noticed. It should be emphasized that the new railway favors concentrating the suburbanization process by new investments located near the line. Especially in the area of the city of Gdańsk, an increasing number of housing estates are being built in sites near the metropolitan railway. Moreover, a lot of investments are being made in the neighboring rural district of Żukowo, in which the number of issued decisions on building conditions increased significantly. The forecasts indicate an increase in the population of the suburban area, especially the rural population, therefore this investment proved to be adequate and necessary, allowing to direct so far chaotic process of suburbanization.
The aim of the paper is to indicate priorities of land use presented in the study of conditions and directions of spatial development. This is particularly important in the case of rural municipalities, which are in need of appointing areas for housing development in the study of conditions and directions of spatial development. An important element of the study is the fact that land-use plans must be consistent with their guidelines. These studies currently comprise the only comprehensive and mandatory documents drawn up for the entire municipality area.The analysis of the study of conditions of the rural municipalities of the Łódzkie Voivodeship was based upon the data collected in the survey “Local planning and land-use”, conducted by the ministry responsible for construction, spatial planning and housing. Municipalities being examined were classified depending on allocating land for specific development. The classification has become reference for defining spatial diversity of a given phenomenon among local authorities.
The aim of the paper is to present and assess the research on landscape ongoing in Poland, and to indicatie possible uses of existing experience in the process by which the European Landscape Convention gains implementation. The authors discuss here basic definitions, and selected examples of research in the field of landscape geography carried out in Poland. They show that the achievements of Polish geographers and landscape ecologists in identifying, analysing and assessing landscapes represents the common scientific tradition of the central part of Europe, considered one of the most comprehensively pursued anywhere in the world. This achievement should therefore constitute the basis for work on a comprehensive methodology by which to identify, delimit and assign value to landscape units, for the purposes of implementation of the European Landscape Convention in Poland. The latter suggestion at this stage reflects the fact that relevant work first arose as long ago as in the 19th century, out of studies in nature and general geography based on field observations and comparative studies, there has never been substantial implementation into practice, nor any wider popularisation in Poland. It further reflects the fact that, notwithstanding the number of years that have passed since the last more wide-ranging regionalisation and typological studies, the theoretical and main methodological basis underpinning the work has retained its value. Clearly ongoing changes in research tools and methodologies necessitate fresh thought and new solutions, but this should not happen through any abandonment of existing bases. There are specialists in the wider field of landscape who trained for decades at Polish academic centers. Their curriculum includes mapping of the landscape, at a detailed and review level, with a view to potential being evaluated, current means of use documented, recommendations made as regards future use, and so on.The new formal and legal situation relating to the requirement that the European Landscape Convention be implemented denotes far-greater involvement of well-trained specialists, both theoreticians and practitioners (dealing with all aspects of the landscape), when it comes to conceptual work on the development of a comprehensive methodology whereby landscape units may be identified, delimited and assigned value. Infuture, they will be bound, not only to participate in, but also to manage, detailed work at the regional level, within landscape audits as recognised by law.
The aim of the presented research is to assess the storage capacity and the groundwater runoff dynamics in the High Bieszczady Mountain (SE Poland, Outer Eastern Carpathians) on the basis of measurements in three gauging stations within San river catchment. The study is based on recession curve analyses in the period 2005-2015.Recession coefficient (α) and storage capacity (Wmax) were calculated for each recession segment. Furthermore, for each gauging station master recession curves were constructed. Recession coefficients were about 10-2. All studied catchments were characterized by higher median of α and Wmax values in the winter half-year, than in the summer half-year. The master recession curves obtained in this study showed two-phase drainage model. During the first phase (higher α values) water resources were depleting faster, probably due to affecting of base flow by part of interflow, than in the second phase (lower α values). The largest catchments (San gauge in Zatwarnica and Dwernik) showed similar median values of storage capacity (Me: 14-21 mm), whereas the smallest Wołosaty catchment showed higher median values (Me: 20-32 mm). The higher values might be caused by higher average annual precipitation and the more complex geological condition, what might locally influence on the storage capacity increase.
The aim of the research detailed here has been to apply a new approach in assessing cave environmental changes – the so-called Cave Disturbance Index (CDI), relating to relief, water objects, air, vegetation and fauna (as the main geographical components of the cave environment) plus cultural aspects of recent cave use. Indicators coming under each of these categories are considered in detail and a quantitative estimation of total CDI then proposed. Practical application of the CDI method is then demonstrated by reference to caves situated in the Muradimovskoe Uschelie Natural Park (Southern Ural Mountains).
The aim of the study is to assess the importance of rural resources and the ability to use their potential for the local low-carbon economy development. The paper presents a diagnosis of the situation of Polish agriculture and rural areas in terms of low-carbon economy. Strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats in the two key elements, i.e. maintenance or increase in the ability to absorb CO2 and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural lands and soils, were indicated. Specific attention was paid to the high potential of agriculture and rural areas (including forestry) in terms of the possible use of their resources in order to increase the sequestration of carbon in biomass and soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the use of agricultural and agro-food processing with wood biomass for renewable energy development, including the production of biogas and biofuels. Moreover, the principles of operation of a low-carbon economy and the main bearings of low-carbon development of rural areas were determined. Also the need was stressed to include agriculture and rural areas into the local planning of low-carbon economy and their recognition in low-carbon economy plans which are being prepared by local government units. The proposed solutions are the result of the research and analyses carried out, as an author, during the work on a Pilot programme of low-carbon development of Starogard county. It is the first of such documents dedicated to low-carbon economy, drawn on a county scale in Poland.
The aim of the study is to assess the use of biomass for energy purposes in Poland by 2020. The article presents the Polish achievements in the implementation of renewable energy sources (RES). The use of local biomass should aim at increasing the local and regional competitiveness based on endogenous capital – the biomass. Total production of electricity from biomass was presented. An important issue is the possibility of using agricultural biomass for energy purposes, both in the production of liquid biofuels (bioethanol, biodiesel) as well as solid biomass, i.e. forest material and established plantations on agricultural land (willow, poplar, Miscantusa), as well as production of biogas in biogas plants. Particularly noteworthy is the use of all waste and side products from agriculture (manure, straw, waste wood from orchards). The use of biomass energy should aim to create a system of distributed energy, which would complement national energy system. Small power plants operating in the CHP system are expected to be based on modern, high-efficiency cogeneration technologies.
The aim of the study is to create a conceptual framework for the valuation of the endogenous influence of public goods in rural areas using the new approach: the economic surplus valuation method (ESV), which implements the concept of producer and consumer rent. A distinctive feature of the ESV, compared to other market-based valuation methods is the assumption that public goods exert an endogenous impact upon resources and their productivity, but do not act in the model as exogenous variables (as it is in the case of hedonic pricing methods; the HPM). The authors’ approach limits the issues related to the specification bias within the HPM. Moreover, this manner reduces the problems associated with model specification errors in the HPM. The authors argue that ignoring the endogenous impact of public goods on resources and their productivity can lead to distorted results.

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