The Conception of Cultural Space Revitalization as a Way to Increase Downtown Attractiveness. A Case Study of Chosen Medium-Sized Towns in the Wielkopolska Region

Abstract

abstract. This paper deals with chosen aspects of revitalization within the downtown area of Polish mediumsized towns. The author underlines the necessity of introducing a mixed-use offer in the city centre. Not only commerce and services, but also cultural functions and values should be promoted in the contemporary city centre. Therefore the idea is presented of turning the downtown public space into a single, homogeneous and integrated spatial-functional system. The system is to introduce cultural functions on the basis of so-called cultural space, which is defined here as a specific kind of public space of historical or cultural value, or that has the potential to develop this kind of new functions.

Place Innovative Synergies for City Center Attractiveness: A Matter of Experiencing Retail and Retailing Experiences

“…A growing number of studies scrutinize the attractiveness of various places-e.g., city centers-for residents, tourists, entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders in the light of the perceived competition from online shopping, suburban/out-of-town shopping centers, etc. (e.g., Coca-Stefaniak & Carroll, 2015;Fertner et al, 2015;Hart, Stachow, & Cadogan, 2013;Karlsson & Nilsson, 2017;Litvin, 2005;Pazder, 2011;Sandahl & Lindh, 1995;Wahlberg, 2016;Weltevreden & Van Rietbergen, 2007). Attractiveness can be defined as attitudes, perceptions, and patronage behaviors that pull people to a particular place (Karlsson & Nilsson, 2017;Teller & Elms, 2012).…”

“…The importance of mixed offers in the city centers is also demonstrated in studies from, e.g., the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the UK, including shops, services, activities, culture, entertainment, events, parks, architecture, housing, workplaces etc. (Hart et al, 2013;Karlsson & Nilsson, 2017;Öner, 2017;Pazder, 2011;Wahlberg, 2016;Weltevreden & Van Rietbergen, 2007). A distinction is made between a city's tangible elements of culture, nightlife, shopping, infrastructure, housing, business parks, etc., on the one hand, and intangible elements of perceived personality, emotions, and values on the other (Zenker, 2011).…”

“…Some studies from the UK and the US note the impact of co-located commercial and historic cores on city center attractiveness, albeit with a tricky balance act between commercial functions and cultural heritage preservation (Coca-Stefaniak & Carroll, 2015;Litvin, 2005). Others investigate the attractiveness of small and rural towns in Denmark, Poland, and Sweden (e.g., Fertner et al, 2015;Pazder, 2011;Wahlberg, 2016), concluding that it is especially affected by service sector restructuring, demographic change, and community engagement (Fertner et al, 2015).…”

Changes On the Housing Market of the Downtown Area in Selected Polish Cities

“…It is also of great importance to tourism (SNEPENGER et al, 1998). This is the most economically and culturally attractive area (TANAŚ, 2015), which is influenced, according to PAZDER (2011), not only by cultural values, but also by its multifunctional character, stemming from the diversified functional and spatial resources, which, according to the author, comprise of: -the existing transportation network, including vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle transportation, presence of public transport stops, parking areas and rail/bus stations, -existing price-determining functions, which directly influence the character of the public space, including historic buildings and urban planning schemes; contemporary cultural assets; culture-forming functions; administration, science and education services; shopping precincts; and markets, squares and green areas, i.e. parks and public gardens, -existing forms of development, including high-density housing areas, characteristic for city centres, as well as areas of urban housing of medium to low density.…”

Housing Resources and Needs in Light of Modern Urban Transformations: the Case of Poznan

“…This is "…the process of leading degraded areas out of a crisis, in a complex manner, through integrated activities to the benefit of the local community, area and economy on the basis of the local revitalization project" (Revitalization Act, 2015). The city center is a common area for undergoing revitalization processes (FAULK 2006;FILION et al 2004;PAZDER 2011). It is an area of a high quality space, creating phenomena such as socialization, tourist and business exchange, a major factor for city growth, and also determines the vitality and the development of a city (PALICKI 2009;PALICKI 2015;SNEPENGER et al 1998;SOŁKIEWICZ-KOS 2014;TANAŚ 2015).…”