Zagospodarowanie placów i rynków w wybranych małych i średnich miastach województwa łódzkiego
Transformation of public space in selected small and medium-sized cities of the Łódź Voivodeship – user’s perspective

Summary/Abstract: This article presents changes made to public spaces by selected medium and small towns inthe Łódzkie Region after Poland’s accession to the European Union, and their evaluation by users. Itis based on a desk research analysis of revitalisation programmes and implemented investments, fieldresearch and surveys. It shows that the transformation of squares has often limited the green spaceand, according to respondents, does not sufficiently relate to the history of the place. The changeswere carried out without the involvement of the local community and often do not meet its diverseneeds.The results of the analyses may be an element of the scientific discussion on the revitalisation ofpublic spaces and the participation of stakeholders in this process. They also have a practical dimen-sion. They can be useful to both the local authorities carrying out such investments and the admin-istrators of EU funds, who evaluate projects and decide on the allocation of EU funding. Indeed, theubiquitous concreting of markets and squares has become the subject of many debates, into whichthis article also contributes. Fortunately, a change in the approach to the development of this type ofspace in Poland can be observed, resulting, for example, from environmental considerations and theclimate change proceeding at an alarming rate. This is also evident in the statements and awarenessof respondents to the survey presented in this article.

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