Europa XXI (2017) vol. 32

Abstract

The implementation of economic reforms at national and local level by the government of Cuba would have direct and roundabout impacts on the natural environment of the Island. It will also change irreversibly its environment as well as perception of this country as an “environmental paradise “. We will approach the subject based on our observations made during a field study, in 2012 in Cuba. The objective is to discuss the environmental impacts that may be caused by the invigoration of economic activity, together with the liberalization of certain commercial and productive activities on the Island.

Keywords: Cuba, environmental changes, economic transformation, economic liberty

Katarzyna Dembicz [khdembic@uw.edu.pl], Center for Latin American Studies University of Warsaw Smyczkowa 14, 02-678 Warsaw: Poland
Oscar Barboza Lizano [oscarbarbozalizano@gmail.com], Faculty of “Artes Liberales” University of Warsaw Nowy Świat 69, 00-046 Warsaw: Poland

Citation

APA: Dembicz, K., & Barboza Lizano, O. (2017). Environmental Cuba versus economic transformation. Europa XXI, 32, 21-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.2
MLA: Dembicz, Katarzyna, and Barboza Lizano, Oscar. "Environmental Cuba versus economic transformation". Europa XXI, vol. 32, 2017, pp. 21-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.2
Chicago: Dembicz, Katarzyna, and Barboza Lizano, Oscar. "Environmental Cuba versus economic transformation". Europa XXI 32 (2017): 21-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.2
Harvard: Dembicz, K., & Barboza Lizano, O. 2017. "Environmental Cuba versus economic transformation". Europa XXI, vol. 32, pp. 21-36. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.2

Abstract Since the beginning of political transformation in Poland, rural tourism was perceived as a versatile means for improving the economic situation of rural areas. It became a subject of excessive interest of politicians, scholars, various activists and the media. The aim of this article is to show the development and functioning of institutional and organizational environment over rural tourism in Poland. At first, development of rural tourism in Poland is presented, followed by the formation of a national and then a local support system. The multidimensional support for rural tourism and the accompanying enthusiasm for it allow for making a statement that tourism became “an apple of the eye” of the rural transformation process in Poland.

Keywords: rural tourism, support for tourism, Poland

Maria Bednarek-Szczepańska [bednarek@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Citation

APA: Bednarek-Szczepańska, M. (2017). Rural tourism – “an apple of the eye” of rural policy in Poland. Europa XXI, 32, 37-50. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.3
MLA: Bednarek-Szczepańska, Maria. "Rural tourism – “an apple of the eye” of rural policy in Poland". Europa XXI, vol. 32, 2017, pp. 37-50. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.3
Chicago: Bednarek-Szczepańska, Maria. "Rural tourism – “an apple of the eye” of rural policy in Poland". Europa XXI 32 (2017): 37-50. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.3
Harvard: Bednarek-Szczepańska, M. 2017. "Rural tourism – “an apple of the eye” of rural policy in Poland". Europa XXI, vol. 32, pp. 37-50. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.3

Abstract This study seeks to show – by reference to the example of Poland’s capital city – the important role played by green infrastructure in a city’s spatial structure, as well as the functions served as an important element of urban space exerting an influence on people’s quality of life. The article describes the spatial structure characterising Warsaw’s green infrastructure, its different component parts, and its connections with undeveloped areas surrounding the city. Attention is paid to the different shares that biologically active areas account for in the different Districts making up Warsaw. Also, predictions are made regarding likely directions of change in the city’s land-cover structure.

Keywords: green infrastructure, human wellbeing, climate change, Warsaw

Bożena Degórska [bodego@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Citation

APA: Degórska, B., & Degórski, M. (2017). Green infrastructure as a very important quality factor in urban areas – Warsaw case study. Europa XXI, 32, 51-70. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.4
MLA: Degórska, Bożena, and Degórski, Marek. "Green infrastructure as a very important quality factor in urban areas – Warsaw case study". Europa XXI, vol. 32, 2017, pp. 51-70. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.4
Chicago: Degórska, Bożena, and Degórski, Marek. "Green infrastructure as a very important quality factor in urban areas – Warsaw case study". Europa XXI 32 (2017): 51-70. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.4
Harvard: Degórska, B., & Degórski, M. 2017. "Green infrastructure as a very important quality factor in urban areas – Warsaw case study". Europa XXI, vol. 32, pp. 51-70. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.4

Abstract In many European countries horticultural production in cities occupies a special position in their spatial policies and is financially supported by their authorities. Today, it is emphasised that urban land in agricultural use performs not only productive and economic functions, but also many more functions of great importance to a city, including ecological, health- and landscape-related, recreational, and social ones. In Poland, after the period of economic and political transformation, one can observe a dynamic expansion of urban areas and their strong pressure on farmland most valuable in productive and landscape terms. In conceptions and documents on spatial development of urbanised areas, agricultural functions tend to be marginalised or perceived as specific to rural areas. A special form of urban horticulture is gardening, including allotment gardens, which have a rich tradition and a history more than a hundred years long. The reasons for the appearance and development of allotment gardens should be sought in socio-economic changes associated with the industrialisation period. What is alarming today, is the opinion that those plots of land supposedly restrict the spatial development of urbanised areas. In addition to their numerous socio-economic functions, allotments are an important element in the implementation of the idea of sustainable development, and as such they should play a special role in the spatial policy of urban areas. The main goal of this paper is to present the development of family allotment gardens in Poland and their current number, structure and location in the Poznań agglomeration. An attempt was made to formulate recommendations for a spatial policy of the agglomeration and towards this goal data obtained from Polish Association of Allotment Holders and Central Statistical Office was analysed. In addition, field studies and survey research were conducted.

Keywords: allotment gardener, green infarstructure, utlility gardens, community gardens, urban horticulture

Citation

APA: Szczepańska, M. (2017). Family allotment gardens - the case of the Poznań agglomeration. Europa XXI, 32, 71-88. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.5
MLA: Szczepańska, Magdalena. "Family allotment gardens - the case of the Poznań agglomeration". Europa XXI, vol. 32, 2017, pp. 71-88. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.5
Chicago: Szczepańska, Magdalena. "Family allotment gardens - the case of the Poznań agglomeration". Europa XXI 32 (2017): 71-88. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.5
Harvard: Szczepańska, M. 2017. "Family allotment gardens - the case of the Poznań agglomeration". Europa XXI, vol. 32, pp. 71-88. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.5

Abstract The process of population decline in highly developed countries is commonly perceived as a problem, particularly in some regions of these countries. Population growth is likewise seen as a daunting challenge. This indirectly leads to the conceptually faulty conclusion that the one and only balanced and safe population size is the current one. In reality, negative population growth on both national and regional levels also has its advantages – which do not typically garner much interest or consideration, obscured by the unsubstantiated argument that depopulation is mostly damaging to the well-being of the nation. Regardless of the pros and cons of depopulation, the fact that the process is underway is undisputable. Depopulation is generally accompanied by accelerated rates of aging in a given population. Given the dearth of effective tools to reverse these trends, it is wiser to cease all attempts to reverse the irreversible and instead focus on preparing the organizational structures of states and regions for the economic and social ramifications of depopulation.

Keywords: depopulation, population policy, demographic optimum, emigration, natural decrease

Citation

APA: Janicki, W. (2017). Depopulation as an opportunity, not a threat to cities and regions: a paradigm change. Europa XXI, 32, 89-96. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.6
MLA: Janicki, Wojciech. "Depopulation as an opportunity, not a threat to cities and regions: a paradigm change". Europa XXI, vol. 32, 2017, pp. 89-96. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.6
Chicago: Janicki, Wojciech. "Depopulation as an opportunity, not a threat to cities and regions: a paradigm change". Europa XXI 32 (2017): 89-96. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.6
Harvard: Janicki, W. 2017. "Depopulation as an opportunity, not a threat to cities and regions: a paradigm change". Europa XXI, vol. 32, pp. 89-96. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.32.6