From the heap to the park – reclamation and adaptation of degraded urban areas for recreational functions in Poland

Abstract

The article covers the issue of land reclamation of two degraded urban areas: Silesia Park (Chorzów city, Southern Poland) and Górka Rogowska Park (Łódź city, Central Poland). The research raises the subject of vegetation condition, plant succession, and the usage of a given area in terms of recreational functions. The first example of Silesia Park (case study 1) indicates a successful nature and landscape reclamation. The intention of park’s designers was to create a permanent and self-regulating natural system in accordance with the principle that the wider the area of the park and the longer it exists, the more it is ecologically sustainable and the more it affects its surroundings. The second example of Górka Rogowska Park (case study 2) shows that despite numerous sensible design ideas for satisfactory development, the area has not been properly reclaimed. In this location, the conducted works have degraded landscape values and recreational opportunities. Nevertheless, the research showed that this park is an area with high natural potential, and with properly designed decisions and contribution of city’ authorities might become a popular year-round and multi-functional public space offering a various range of recreational activities similar to the Silesia Park. The research led to the conclusion that constant monitoring is necessary to counteract the negative effects of the anthropopression through appropriate care (plant control, elimination of invasive plants) and design (rational development of leisure activities of a given place) decisions on reclaimed urban areas.

Keywords

• chorzów
• łódź
• parks
• recreation
• urban landscape reclamation