Urbanistyczna geneza dzielnicy przemysłowoportowej na warszawskim Żeraniu (1916–1939)
The Urban Origins of the Industrial-Port District in Warsaw’s Żerań (1916–1939)

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the origins of Warsaw’s industrial-port district in Żerań between 1916 and 1939, presenting it as the culmination of a long-term urban development process rather than merely the outcome of postwar industrialization. The author traces the transformation of Warsaw’s spatial structure since the partitions, emphasizing the significance of planning and transportation decisions, such as the expansion of the city limits in 1916, the development of the railway network, and canal projects. Particular attention is given to the 1923 Regulatory Plan and the 1931 General Plan, which designated the right bank of the Vistula River for heavy industry. This concept of ‘dynamic development’ envisioned the concentration of industry in the Żerań area due to favorable logistical conditions (railway, planned port, canals). The article also analyzes the impact of state policy, new regulations, city planning initiatives, and pressure from urban planning circles. The district’s development is described within the broader context of regional planning (the ‘Functional Warsaw’ concept), culminating in the 1937 decision to construct a power plant in Żerań – a project that was never realized before the outbreak of war. The author illustrates the complexity of the urbanization process, shaped by the interplay of social, economic, and ideological factors.

• Details
• Contents