A city game: Guidelines and recommendations for contemporary urban policy

Abstract

Cities are settlement units with a very diverse genesis and character. However, most of them are affected by similar, degrading social, economic and spatial phenomena. Solving city problems requires special attention and a very individual approach when looking for alternative functions, development opportunities and ways to improve the quality of life of their residents. The changes that constantly occur in the structure of the settlement network, as well as changing visions of shaping cities and problems related to such phenomena as: shrinking of cities, depopulation, suburbanization, metropolisation, climate change, etc. cause the need to answer the questions: what is the contemporary city vision and what contemporary urban policy should be in this connection. In order to solve the problems constructed in this way, several research methods and techniques were used. Among other things, a query was made of selected urban strategic documents and an analysis of the literature on the subject. On this basis, the vision of a modern city was determined. In the next stage of work, a proposal was prepared of a set of desirable directions of urban development and actions necessary for local government units to undertake in the area of spatial planning and development. These activities should support the qualitative and sustainable development of cities. This is the answer to social, environmental and economic needs. Nowadays, it is essential for improving the quality of life and planning for the benefit of future generations. Referring to the developed vision of the city, the author of the article presented recommendations that were divided into topics: compact and sustainable city, strong, efficiently managed, coherent, competitive, attractive and creative. An important element of contemporary urban policy seems to be the exchange of experiences between cities, promotion of examples of good practices and still underestimated social participation.