The evolution of the microstructure and texture of polycrystalline nickel, from its initial state to that after a hydrostatic extrusion process to total true strains of 0.5, 1.18, 1.62 and 2.2, were examined. Investigation of the microstructure revealed that the grain size was reduced from ∼32 µm to ∼200 nm. The local texture transformation and major boundary misorientation angles were discussed based on electron backscattered diffraction results, while XRD was used to give a qualitative and quantitative description of the global texture. Microhardness measurements were performed to investigate the changes in the mechanical properties of the deformed material.

The paper focuses on the evolution of the planning system in Poland. Its purpose is to show the evolution from short-term planning, subordinated to the requirements of the country’s economic development, to a long-term planning system, integrating various aspects of development—spatial, natural, economic, and social, taking place over the last century. The process described in the paper was largely conditioned by historical events, and the poor economic situation of the country in the post-war period and the changes taking place in the political system. The need for rapid economic development of the country dominated the planning of the interwar period (1920s and 1930s) and post-war period (1950s to 1970s), although the economic, social, and natural conditions were taken into account in 1930s spatial planning. The most complete representation of spatial integration of various planning scopes is visible in the “National Spatial Development Concept 2030,” which was the main subject of the study, as the basic document concerning national spatial planning. The research demonstrates the novelty of this document in relation to previous ones. It is based on the vision of Polish space on, the development of functional areas, determined on the basis of socioeconomic and spatial features treated in a dynamic approach. The need for changes in applicable law that would allow the “National Spatial Development Concept 2030” to be implemented in planning practice is also pointed out. The material presented in the paper may form the basis for comparative studies of planning documents on a national level in various European countries.

Citizen participation in the city development planning process is guaranteed by law in every civil society. In Poland, the participation of local communities in spatial planning has been evolving since the political transformation of the years 1989/1990. Changes that occur in the participation process are a result of the formation of civil society and a resulting increase in social awareness on possibilities of expressing one's needs and influencing planning decisions of local governments, as well as modifications in laws and regulations. The article presents the experience gathered in the field of extended social participation in the procedure of drawing up local spatial development plans, on the example of ongoing work on plans for the village of Józefosław in Piaseczno, nearby Warsaw. The problems identified in the area covered by the plans and their origins have been characterized, the assumptions of the plans, whose main purpose is to alleviate diagnosed problems and respond to the needs of the inhabitants, articulated at various stages of the planning process. Then the scope and results of the various phases of social participation – preplanning and based on formal planning procedures – have been described. The experience gained from the phase of public consultation during the preparation of local plans for the village of Józefosław allowed us to draw more general conclusions about participatory procedures specified in the binding regulations, which were included in the summary.