The changes in the system of urbanization, initiated by research and the resulting designs at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, consisted ‘consisted’ implies there were no either kinds of changes, if you don’t mean that, use ‘included’ and take out ‘of’ of increasing the share not sure what you mean by share in this context, might ‘proportion’ be better? of green areas in urban spaces. Actions aimed at improving the human urbanized living environment, induced by the U’Thant’s report and subsequent international documents, now seem to have been a permanent development trend. Simultaneously, other actions may be observed, relating to the introduction of smart technology solutions into the urban area aimed primarily at focusing on the maximized use of urban space and additionally at sustainable development. Sometimes, the need for contact with the natural environment is the reason for seeking the direct experience of large areas of attractive natural environment. Hence, more and more often, the latest urban creations boast high quality spaces featuring perfectly organized and developed green areas.

The dynamics of changes in urban spaces vary due to diverse local conditions and growth potential of individual urban settlements. The actions undertaken in order to improve the appeal of towns concern first of all improving the quality of public spaces, but they may also be of a broader range and aim at general growth based on the local natural environment conditions. Interesting examples of urban space transformations are presented by urban settlements with a well- defined leading function meaning unclear. Among such towns are those whose development was based on natural spa and curative characteristics stemming from the existing natural resources and specific climate conditions. The aforementioned resources – documented and used for a long time – need services of continuously improving quality, given the changing market situation and which is connected, this doesn’t work here but I’m not sure it’s needed anyway the accompanying high quality space.

The aim of this article is to present, on a selected example, the problems pertaining to the areas of valuable natural and cultural assets which are being absorbed by the ever-growing urban fabric. Prądnik Czerwony – a district of Kraków, has been selected as an example for the above presentation. The boundaries of this district encompass the areas that in the past used to be parts of three historic villages – Prądnik Czerwony, Olsza and Rakowice, and they still have some preserved facilities of considerable natural and cultural value. The article discusses the spatial transformations of these areas. Special emphasis has been put on the monuments of technological culture that have been preserved in the area of the district and on the principles of their conservation in the urban planning documents valid for this area.

As a town of abundant natural environment resources, Szczyrk provides a good example of the spatial transformations taking place in recent years. The changes also affect watercourses and areas indicated as eligible for the status of protected areas. Nevertheless, the changes now in progress not only fail to comply with the currently valid trends in architecture and urban planning, but also frequently copy erroneous solutions from the past. The existing situation calls for undertaking appropriate actions for the future, which will enable preservation of the natural environment in the possibly unchanged form so that it could coexist with humans and their activities.

For more than 150 years, Brzeźno was a popular and frequented seaside resort with characteristic development, characteritic of what? You need to specify this or use a different adjective extensive, well cared-for park and a grand pier, yet the place was able to retain an intimate climate. The history of the resort started around the middle of the 19th century, when spa objects and facilities were built next to the medieval fishing hamlet. The place, which later became a seaside district of Gdańsk, had its heyday in the first half of the last century. In the post-war years, Brzeźno fell into decline, lost its historic development, former infrastructure, character and significance; although it was not completely forgotten, it played the role of a residential district. The beginning of the present century brings the commencement of the revitalization process of the partly preserved fragments of the former spa, which may signify a new era in the development of the former spa resort. Brzeźno’s asset is still its location at the seaside, traces of its historic identity and close connections with Gdańsk. Using the potential of the place and restoring it to its former function will be possible if the actions undertaken at present are not limited to the fragmentary revitalization of some elements of the complex, but also provide for the introduction of a diverse functional programme and harmonious spatial growth, including reconstruction of the atmosphere of the old Brzeźno.

The aim of the article is to present and highlight the cultural heritage of Wisła as an example of an interwar spa resort designed from scratch, which in the contemporary times has been to a large extent destroyed. The urban principles and the construction projects realized in result of the regulation plans of the 20s and 30s of the 20th century created a coherent concept of the town’s growth based on spatial order and harmony with the natural environment, a concept which was consistently executed. The Author emphasizes that at present, owing to erroneous planning decisions, the proportions between the developed areas and the natural environment have been distorted, and the stylistic uniformity of buildings has been disfigured in the process of their modernization.

The article discusses the healing properties of salt and its application in various methods of spa curative treatment. The discussion serves as the background for presenting the origins of Polish and foreign spa resorts which are now able to function due to making use of post-industrial salt making facilities – mine working pits and brine graduation towers. Special emphasis has been laid on the character and consequences of the transformations of salt making towns, where industrial salt production has given way to spa treatment activities.

Spa resorts with a high quality environment, both in the natural and cultural sense, are attractive places for locating knowledge-based economy infrastructure. The article discusses several examples of technology parks and centres located within spa towns and presents the strategies which spa resorts may apply to boost their competitiveness and diversify the services they offer. Building partnerships and networks between research units, linking businesses and administration, developing services and technologies connected with balneology treatments and tourism as well as implementing green technologies open up new opportunities of growth for spa resorts.