Geographia Polonica (1977) vol. 37

Kazimierz Dziewoński, Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa

Vladimir G. Davidovich, Moscow Institute for Engineering and Economy

Adam Jelonek, Institute of Geography, Jagellonian University, Cracow, Poland

Andrzej Gawryszewski, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

A. V. Kochetkov, Central Research Institute for Urban Planning, Moscow Gosplan SSSR
Feliks M. Listengurt, Central Research Institute for Urban Planning, Moscow Gosplan SSSR
Nikolai A. Solofnenko, Central Research Institute for Urban Planning, Moscow Gosplan SSSR
David Khodzhaev, Gosplan SSSR State University of Moscow

Marek Jerczyński, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Boris S. Khorev, Moscow Slate University. Moscow. USSR

Nikolai T. Agafonov, Gosplan of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, Leningrad
Boris R. Pavchinski, State University of Leningrad Lengiprogor
Sergei B. Lavrov, Leningrad University
Lev L. Trube, Kaliningrad State University Leningrad State University Institute of Pedagogy, Gorkiy

Abstract

This study is to present the foundations of a model of the spatial system of towns. In order to accomplish this task, the model and the systems methodol-ogies are integrated. In the model methodology, reality is idealized so as to iden-tify the factors and relations that are significant and to cut out those of second-ary importance. In following such a research procedure, which by way of ab-straction, eliminates subsidiary effects on the studied object, and thus makes cenain research assumptions, we are led to the construction of a model. The resulting models are idealized and hence abstract representations of reality formulated as sets of modelling assumptions. The objects thus characterized — spaiial systems devoid of certain real features — are called ideal types or ab-stract phenomena.

Zbyszko Chojnicki, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan

Ann Marksoo, Institute of Geography, University of Tartu, 46 Vanemuise St., Tartu EE-2400, Estonia
Salme J. Nymmik, Tartu State University

Abstract

A change in the social structure entails essential alterations in the structure and territorial distribution of social production. These, in turn, bring about gradual changes in settlement, in particular in the network of town settlements. The geography of towns under capitalism is different from the feudal urban geography, not to mention that of the slave-owning system. Some cities (Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Alexandria, etc.) have existed for many centuries and even millennia. As a result of changing socio-economic conditions, they have chang-ed their functions and their appearance. But many of them have fallen into decay or even vanished completely, and these have been replaced by new towns born of their own epoch.

Witold Kusiński, Warsaw University. Warsaw. Poland

Yurii V. Medvedkov, Institute of Geography. Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Moscow, USSR

Yurii V. Medvedkov, Institute of Geography. Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Moscow, USSR

Abstract

This paper attempts to interpret the existing theory of spatial structure of urban agglomerations, and their change, from the planning perspective. A brief review of some of the major theoretical approaches is therefore in order. In a certain sense, these approaches are all useful from the planner's point of view since they build a stock of knowledge and information which is needed both at the plan study and the plan design stage. For instance, theoretical patterns of population density and directions of their evolution, following the city growth, its age and technological improvements in transportation, have to be taken into account while planning the future structure of urban agglomerations, since this may constitute one of the prerequisites for plan accomplishment. Another example is the need to consider the increasing spatial mobility of pop-ulation — a phenomenon widely discussed in the literature on urban studies. The planning implications are still more evident in the case of the spatial socio-demographic structure of urban areas. The realization of such a vital goal as the minimization of spatial variations in the distribution of those population and housing characteristics which have been identified as major dimensions of socio-ecological space, requires the knowledge of conditions which give rise to partic-ular variations.

Piotr Korcelli [korcelli@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa, Poland

Georgii M. Lappo, Institute of Geography Academy of Sciences of the USSR

Ryszard Karłowicz, Warsaw Polytechnic

Andrzej Jędraszko, Institute for Environmental Development, Warsaw

Oleg A. Kibalchich, Gosplan of the Byelorussian SSR, Minsk
Vladimir Yu. Lyubovniy, Gosplan of the Russian SFSR, Moskva

Abstract

The socio-economic transformation of Poland, especially her quick-paced industrialization following World War II, reinforced previous processes and ge-nerated new ones affecting the spatial structure of towns. The adjustment of the historical spatial structures of towns to modern social and economic requi-rements and the reconstruction and extension of towns contributed to their in-ternal differentiation.

The rapid demographic and spatial developments created new social, eco-nomic, biological, technological and planning problems in towns. To solve those problems in conditions when the urban society is becoming almost equi-valent to society in the general sense of the word, it is indispensable to enhance the range of problems of urban studies.

Grzegorz Węcławowicz [g.wecla@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland