Suburbanizacja w Polsce – pejzaż społeczno-przestrzenny
Suburbanization in Poland – a socio-spatial landscape

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to present one of the most important aspects of suburbanization in Poland concerning social relations between old and new inhabitants. The significance of this problem stems from specific conditions in which Polish suburbs have been developing. Since there are very few large investments on greenfield sites, newcomers usually locate themselves in the spatial and social vicinity of older inhabitants dwelling in older villages. Massive influx of newcomers and of their ways of life is the most important factor affecting social and spatial fabric of Polish suburbia. The analyses presented in this article are based on elements of the model offered by Sonya Salamon [2003]. Her research focused on rural communities living in small towns in Illinois. Although her analysis concerns American communities from the beginning of the 21st century, it is deceptively similar to contemporary Polish rural communities. Therefore, it is possible to study the following aspects of change observed in urbanized locations: how are social relations reflected in the use of public spaces and in residents’ sense of place?; what interconnections are there across the community? are there any cross-age relations?; does the social system provide access to community’s social resources such as knowledge, trust, and co-operation?

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