RECREATIONAL PUBLIC SPACES IN THE CONTEXT OF SUBURBANIZATION. POLISH CASE STUDY
Recreational public spaces in the context of suburbanization. Polish case study

Author(s): Dorota Mantey
Subject(s): Geography, Regional studies
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: public space; suburbanization; suburbs; vitality of space; post-socialist countries
Summary/Abstract: In the post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the 1990s were the beginning of mass suburbanization, which resulted in the emergence of new suburbs. They were deprived of basic infrastructure, recreational spaces, and social facilities. With time, especially after Polish accession to the European Union in 2004, many Polish suburbs gained new recreational spaces, and the existing spaces were upgraded and pedestrianized. This chapter aims to characterize the vitality of suburban public spaces. It has been proved that an attractive and well-equipped space is not enough to initiate social relations. Suburban recreational public spaces are characterized by low social vitality, which results not only from the space itself, but also from the lifestyle, needs, and aspirations of suburbanites.

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