Iconosphere of the contemporary city and its relations with urban planning in Poland after 1989. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rogatka, Krzysztof; Lewandowska, Aleksandra
• Is Part Of: Cities. Volume 87(2019)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Iconosphere -- Iconic buildings -- City -- Architecture -- Urban planning -- City landscape -- Postsocialism; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Periodicals; 711.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2018.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2751

Abstract

Abstract: We have been observing dynamic metamorphosis of the world cities, including Polish ones, in qualitative and quantitative dimensions. Systemic transformation started in Poland after 1989, resigning of socialistic model of urban planning. Neoliberal economy and its paradigms, but also Polish access to EU structures and civil society creating had a significant impact on shape, functioning and skyline of Polish cities. Iconic buildings intensive development, accompanied by their surroundings improvement have been observed in Poland for several years. We witness shaping contemporary Polish cities iconosphere, what has an elementary impact on evolution and reconstitution of urban structures identity. The article purpose is to reflect on contemporary iconosphere of Polish cities (analyses and evaluation). The discussed problem refers to spatial policy implemented in Poland and related on an example of Culture-Congress Center Jordanki in Torun. Highlights: We witness shaping contemporary Polish cities iconosphere, what has an elementary impact on evolution and reconstitution of urban structures identity. Process of creating iconosphere in Polish cities by erecting iconic buildings with its arranged surroundings is present phenomenon, evidenced by these analyses and it should be evaluated as positive illustration of changes. Proper urban policy of city authorities can contribute to creating positive urban-investment atmosphere for these types of objects' erecting. As surveys depict, iconic buildings (e.g. Culture-Congress Center Jordanki), are positively perceived by the space users, what is partially related to psychological subconscious process of acceptation and taming changes of new architectonic solutions. The objects generate a number of benefits for a city – material ones (area revitalization, tourism development, new work places), and non-material, like creation of a new sphere of urban narration – iconosphere.