Revitalisation as a process of restoring the identity of a place through protection of its cultural heritage – a case study of the city of Łódz

Abstract

Revitalization is currently one of the most important processes and urban policies that are car- ried out in Łódź. This is not only because of social or economic nature of revitalization, which today is placed above strictly repair aspect of this process. The article, based on an analysis of literature, municipal documents and financial data indicates that revitalization remains in Łódź one of the most important processes and urban policies due to its concentration in the center of the city, where the most objects of material cultural heritage are located. Objects of material cultural heritage located in the center contribute to the reconstruction of the identity of places and people and may result in the development of the city as a whole. The restoration of material cultural heritage could be therefore considered to be an essential part of the revitalization process. The purpose of this article is to analyze the place and importance of protection of the cultural heritage in the municipal revitalization program adopted for the city of Łódź in the context of other documents of urban policy in this regard.