The role of rural areas in the creation of eco-resilient suburbs of Warsaw

• Main Authors: Justyna Zdunek-Wielgołaska, Anna Grabowska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Warsaw University of Life Sciences 2020-11-01
• Series: Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Architectura
• Subjects: rural landscape; land use; urban sprawl; climate change; warsaw suburbs; rural areas
• Online Access: http://www.architectura.actapol.net/tom19/zeszyt3/19_3_91.pdf
• ISSN: 1644-0633; 2544-1760

The aim of the article is to present alternatives to the future development of rural areas in the suburbs of large cities such as Warsaw. The functional and spatial changes in the neighbouring areas of the Polish capital perfectly illustrate what is also happening in other metropolises. Unfortunately, not only the main city itself but also the neighbouring municipalities experience investment pressure. This process consumes more and more areas and favours their irrational spatial and functional development, which has its negative environmental effects. In the face of threats that result from climate change, instead of looking for solutions that are logistically and technologically complicated, resources that are still available around large cities can be used. Undoubtedly, in addition to natural landscape areas, such areas may be agricultural areas. Instead of re-qualifying them, their potential can be used in creating an eco-resilient suburbs system, which is also the ecological base of the main city. The aim of the article is to draw attention to the condition, resources and adaptation possibilities of rural areas in the suburbs of Warsaw, which, like other large Polish cities, needs new ecological solutions. The study used the Statistics Poland (Główny Urząd Statystyczny) data and conclusions resulting from the literature review on the studied issue, as well as analysis of planning documents.