The Specificity of Urban Sprawl in Poland: The Spatial, Social, and Economic Perspectives

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to show and highlight the selected development-related trends of urban areas in Poland, with particular emphasis put on the phenomena that constitute urban sprawl, and taking into consideration historical aspects of the urban sprawl. Research Design & Methods: The object of the study was Poland. The important base of the analysis was the historical evolution of the urban sprawl in Poland. The main research method is a comparative analysis based on historical examples in order to show the "roots" of the development processes of the urban sprawl in Poland as well as their characteristic features. Findings: As a result of the research, the authors have determined that the Polish urban sprawl is specific and results from historical changes, the mentality of Polish people, economic processes, and legal conditions (too liberal laws on spatial planning). Contribution / Value Added: This research adds to knowledge about the circumstances of the phenomenon of the urban sprawl in Poland, its evolution, and - above all - the degree of the individualisation of the causes and consequences of the Polish urban sprawl, which will allow decision-makers to adopt appropriate tools to support local development. Implications / Recommendations: Polish urban sprawl is specific due to the high degree of suburban urban chaos (disorganised, spontaneous development), which has negative economic, social, and environmental consequences. In connection with the consequences of urban sprawl, action should be two-fold: on the one hand, it is about organising stretched suburban areas, giving them new spatial, social, cultural, and economic values. Here, an important role is played by spatial and social planning; the search for axes crystallising the organisation of space, i.e. places around which development could concentrate, creating more focused and ordered areas. There is also a need for centres of social concentration that could create centres of social life. This role could be played by cultural institutions (e.g. libraries), educational institutions, or religious institutions. On the other hand, it is necessary to create conditions for a 'return to the cities' for those whose life situation has changed, e.g. if their children are of legal age and independent, or who grew up in the suburbs. The latter is very complex. It would be difficult to identify existing cities that have 'recovered' their inhabitants from suburban areas on a large scal