Geographia Polonica (2012) vol. 85, iss. 3

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse transborder relations at the local level in the Polish‑Germanborderland. In order todescribe the character of the relations, all the communes (gmina) in the Polish part of the borderland and all the districts(Kreise) in the German part have been examined. An additional aim of the analysis was to answer the question as towhether, in the relations between Polish and German territorial units, a co‑operativeor competitive attitude is prevailing.To this end, a questionnaire survey was conducted (in April 2011) among the local‑governmentauthorities in the Polish‑Germanborderland. The area under investigation is comprised of communes (NUTS5) belonging to the districts neighbouringthe Polish side of the border, and districts (NUTS3) situated along the German side of the border. On the basisof empirical data, the intensity of the level of co‑operationhas been evaluated. The study also allowed us to determinethe impact of co‑operationon borderland areas. Furthermore, the effects in different fields (i.e. socio‑cultural,economic,infrastructural), have been analyzed. The selected results that were obtained were then compared to analogous researchconducted in 2003.

Keywords: transborder relations, cross‑border co‑operation, transborder competition, borderland region, Polish‑German borderland

Sylwia Dołzbłasz [sylwia.dolzblasz@ uwr.edu.pl], University of Wrocław Institute of Geography and Regional Development Kuźnicza 49/55, 50‑138 Wrocław: Poland

Abstract

Borderlands are areas where competitiveness develops in a very particular way. On the one hand, they are often preferredareas, which are less socio‑economicallydeveloped. At the same time, the development of integration processes facilitatesthe establishing and realisation of cross‑bordercooperation. This is accompanied by increasing competitive pressure fromneighbouring regions across the border, which is mostly linked to the building‑upof the competitiveness of territorial units.The Polish‑Germanborderland is an example of a region characterised by the greatest discrepancies in the level of socio‑economicdevelopment in the European Union and for this reason it was chosen for analysis.The purpose of this paper was to analyse spatial variation in the level of competitiveness of territorial units in the Polish‑Germanborderland (NUTS2 regions). The position of the borderland in the socio‑economicstructure of both countries wasdetermined on this basis and the level of competitiveness of the regions on both sides of the border was compared. Theanalysis was dynamic in character and covered the years 2002 and 2008.In the light of the research conducted it was concluded that spatial preference was analogous to economic preference when analysingthe relationship between the German part of the borderland and the rest of the country. On the Polish side of the borderlandsuch a coincidence did not occur. The more advanced development level on the German side, although considerably higher,does not constitute „a civilization gap”. In some respects Polish regions had a better competitive position than the German ones.The study revealed similarities in the main factors contributing to competitiveness on both sides of the border. However,the significance of these factors was different.

Keywords: competitiveness, cross‑border cooperation, Polish‑German borderland

Małgorzata Leśniak‑Johann, University of Business in Wrocław Ostrowskiego 22, 53‑238 Wrocław: Poland
Andrzej Raczyk [andrzej.raczyk@ uwr.edu.pl], University of Wrocław Pl. Uniwersytecki 1 50‑137 Wrocław: Poland

Abstract

While the Commonwealth of Two Nations (Polish‑LithuanianCommonwealth, 1569‑1795)did not have colonies of itsown, emigrants from its territory did play a part in the colonial enterprise, i.a. the Dutch engagement in South Africa.The group of persons involved was small, but then so were the overall number of settlers and soldiers from all countriescombined, ensuring that the Polish influence is not be ignored. Poles (mainly Polish Prussians) in South Africa played theirpart in the emergence of a new society, as well as in the process whereby the country came to be known and broughtunder management. They were also co‑organizersof pioneering expeditions inland, as well as participating in the firstarmed encounters with Bantu (Xhosa) people.

Keywords: historical migrations, immigrants, Dutch colonization, Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth, South Africa, Cape Colony, Poles

Mariusz Kowalski [mar.kow@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to recognize the spatial regularities of the urbanised land development, as well as todetermine the impact of the distance from the city center of Warsaw on the ongoing transformations. Research performedin the Warsaw Metropolitan Area (WMA) refers to the period of 2000-2010. Special stress was put on changes thathad been taking place in rural areas, since Poland entered the EU. It was determined that there is ever greater relationbetween the distance from Warsaw and the development of urbanised areas. The study showed, that the most urbanisedrural areas (gminas) are still those to the South-West of Warsaw, within the distance of up to 40 km. Performed actionsdetermined that since 2004, there had been changes in the geographical directions of intense urbanisation of the WMAarea. While the southern and western parts of the city seemed to have lost their importance, the northern and easternones, on the other hand, seemed to had been gaining in significance.

Keywords: urban growth, urban sprawl, urbanisation, suburbanisation, land use, Warsaw Metropolitan Area, Poland

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