Geographia Polonica (2016) vol. 89, iss. 2

Abstract

The aim of the work detailed in this article has been to indicate demographic and social categories to the greatest extent segregated in the three selected metropolitan areas of Warsaw, Berlin and Paris, by applying multidimensional analysis; as well as to answer a question as to whether these categories are similar or different, given the different circumstances underpinning the development of the areas under study. The metropolitan areas were selected from Central Europe (Warsaw), Western Europe (Paris), and from the area located in the borderland between these regions (Berlin). in the case of each area, typical categories were selected for analysis, and developed on the basis of accepted segregation indices (the dissimilarity index D, isolation index _xP_x, delta index DEL, absolute centralisation index ACE, spatial proximity index SP and modified location quotient LQ_p). The multidimensional and multifaceted analysis allowed the most segregated groups at municipality and district levels to be distinguished, and presented in the context of previous research.

Keywords: residential segregation, spatial segregation, metropolitan area, Warsaw, Berlin, Paris

Barbara Jaczewska, The Department of Political Geography and Regional Studies University of Warsaw Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa: Poland
Anna Grzegorczyk, Department of World Regional Geography University of Warsaw Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa: Poland

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is attempt to identify the effects of social and spatial transition in a specific area of peri-urban rural municipalities associated with large Polish cities (in this case: Łódź). The issues of social, economic, as well as landscape transformations of peri-urban areas are discussed very frequently in geographic, sociological and architectural studies. Unlike macro-scale studies, both Polish and foreign, micro-scale studies have shown that differences are even greater and concern neighbouring areas. As a result of the influx of new residents to suburbanising villages, long-time communities of agrarian origin evolve towards social and spatial disintegration. The different ways of life are manifested in different behaviour patterns and levels of territorial identity. Examples of studies on the evaluation of the local living environment show that the social coherence of the countryside is gradually weakening, resulting mostly from more and more varied lifestyles, social needs, and expectations towards their place of residence.

Keywords: peri-urban area, rural settlements, socio-spatial processes, Łódź Metropolitan Area

Marcin Wójcik [marcin.wojcik@geo.uni.lodz.pl], Uniwersytet Łódzki, Wydział Nauk Geograficznych

Abstract

The paper discusses a range of areas, including a critical assessment of the state and accomplishments of Polish geography of crime; the theoretical and methodological achievements of various academic fields and disciplines that contribute to research into crime; and the underutilisation by Polish geographers of worldwide scientific achievements in this area. The paper outlines the interpretative possibilities extensively developed within other academic disciplines and pertaining to the study of crime that are now open to geographers.

Keywords: state of Polish geography of crime, achievements of Polish geography of crime, geography of crime – interrelations with other disciplines

Stanisław Mordwa, Department of the Built Environment and Spatial Policy University of Łódź Faculty of Geographical Sciences Kopcińskiego 31, 90-142 Łódź: Poland

Abstract

The aim of this article was to examine the relations of physical and human geography with selected disciplines of natural and exact sciences as well as social sciences. The results shows that: (1) the position of geography among other disciplines is relatively high, however the relative position of human geography in social sciences is higher than that of physical geography in natural and exact sciences, (2) both geographical disciplines show an adverse 'trade balance' in scientific exchange, (3) human geography is more 'introverted', (4) relations between human geography and other disciplines are stronger than in the case of physical geography.

Keywords: geography, bibliometric analysis, journals, citations

Krzysztof Stachowiak, Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań Dzięgielowa 2, 61-680 Poznań: Poland
Artur Bajerski [bajerski@amu.edu.pl], Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management Adam Mickiewicz University, Dzięgielowa 27, 61‑680 Poznań: Poland

Abstract

The objective of the article is to empirically verify the impact of assessing one’s own competences on the transition of recent university geography graduates from education to employment. The article also looks at the role of competences in predicting graduates’ situation on the job market. A Poland-wide survey (N=1120) was conducted which collected detailed data on self-assessment of one’s competences by students nearing graduation. A follow-up survey six months after graduation showed that only a high assessment of one’s own specialised competences had a somewhat significant impact on finding a job that would match one’s degree, pay reasonably well and give independence in exercising one’s duties at work. Discriminant function analysis was used to establish that the skills which had the greatest impact on whether the geographer remains unemployed or finds employment included socio-emotional and generic competences such as public speaking, team cooperation, precision, attention to detail and interpersonal communication skills. The research suggests, however, that given the current situation on the Polish labour market, these competences are not a key determining feature in the respondents’ transition to employment. Moreover, the set of competences does not comprise of variables that allow us to easily predict graduates’ situation on the labour market.

Keywords: competences, graduate, geography, higher education, labour market, transition

Danuta Piróg, Faculty of Geography Pedagogical University ofin Kraków, – Poland ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków

Teresa Czyż [tczyz@amu.edu.pl], Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management Adam Mickiewicz University Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań: Poland

Piotr Eberhardt [p.ebe@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Abstract

Briesewitz G., 2014

Raum und Nation in der polnischen Westforschung 1918-1948

Osnabrück: fibre Verlag

Paperback, 526 pages

ISBN 978-3-944870-03-8

Reviewed by Kazimierz Wóycicki

Kazimierz Wóycicki, The Centre for East European Studies University of Warsaw Krakowskie Przedmiescie 26/28, 00-927 Warsaw: Poland

Jan W. Owsiński, Systems Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Newelska 6, 01-447 Warsaw, Poland
Przemysław Śleszyński [psleszyn@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN

Abstract

The paper presents a study of changes in the overall population of Poland and in the number and proportion of the 60+ age group. Popular census data spanning the period 1960-2011 was analysed at the level of commune-equivalent units (LAU 2). The study identified 9 types of communes based on two criteria: absolute population change and the proportion of the 60+ age group.

Keywords: population ageing, depopulation, concentration, demographic typology

Rafał Wiśniewski [rafwis@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Barbara Szejgiec-Kolenda [b.szejgiec@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation, Polish Academy of Sciences Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw: Poland
Przemysław Śleszyński [psleszyn@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania PAN