Urban planning

The aim of the work is to present problems related to the development of modern cities and the possibilities of activities in the sphere of architecture and urban planning. The presented material is also intended to contribute to the discussion on the role of the contemporary city and its future in connection with the processes of urbanization and changes in the social structure of European cities. Two selected groups of problems are discussed.

Due to Allied Forces bombing of Szczecin in  World War II, nearly the whole old town and most of 19th and 20th century housing were destroyed. After the war, the part of ‘the heart of the city’, or rather its ‘living room’, was taken by the longest street – Wojska Polskiego Avenue, especially by the part in the centre of Szczecin. Lots of luxury boutiques were located there. Despite the communist period, the appearance of the street was taken care of. At some point most of shop windows were replaced.

Leipzig Charter, adopted in May 2007, related largely to urban planning, called for consideration of sustainable development, economic development, social stability, public safety and healthy living environment in spatial planning. Not only is the source of crime, physical and economic degradation of public space, but also the fear of crime prevents urban residents active in everyday life.

This article describes the urgent issues of contemporary urban planning from economic, social, political and medical point of view. Discussion about urban opportunities and threats is accompanied by examples and historical cases from the Netherlands.