Post-war reconstruction of historical city centres in Poland. Models of transformation and contemporary challenges
The presentation addresses a multidimensional analysis of post-war reconstruction of historical city centres in Poland, with particular focus on the spatially diverse models of rebuilding applied in both major urban centres and small towns. It offers a comparative assessment of reconstruction strategies, which frequently oscillated between neointegration (modernism), historicization, post-modernism (retroversion) and hybrid forms.
The analysis highlights spatial-functional problems of contemporary old towns, including the lack of a proper centre, fragmentation, and ongoing socio-economic marginalization, all influencing the urban form and functions of these areas.
This study is based on an original research model combining quantitative, qualitative, and social methods with GIS tools, grounded in the tradition of urban morphological approach in human geography. It makes a significant contribution towards bridging the research gap regarding the effects of post-war urban spatial transformations. Historical contextualization reveals not only the genesis and course of various recovery strategies but also the evolution of the perception of the heritage of rebuilt old town ensembles and their current conservation and functional challenges.
Reflection on the Polish experience of post-war reconstruction gains added relevance in the context of present challenges faced by, among others, Ukrainian cities, opening space for international knowledge exchange.
Research findings, encompassing experiences from both large urban centres and smaller localities, provide valuable insights for planners, conservators, and urban heritage scholars, shaping a modern approach to the reconstruction of historic urban areas, with attention to their functional-spatial and social dimensions.
When: Monday, October 27, 2025, 5:00–6:30 PM
Link: https://rwth.zoom-x.de/j/63818881847?pwd=s0uRbZ3QaDrbgvhEHrgaizRUef0Pbo.1
Meeting-ID: 638 1888 1847
Kenncode: 084850