Magdalena Woźniczka

Piaski Wielkie and Kurdwanów are former suburbs of Krakow. Over the past half century their space has been changed significantly. The first modifications took place in the 1970s and 1980s. The Piaski Nowe and Kurdwanów Nowy estates were built during this time. In the twenty-first century, the number of inhabitants of Krakow has been constantly increasing. As a result, the attention of real estate developers is once again focused on the regions.

At present, these areas are intensively built-up. In some regions, the speed of development of road and service infrastructure is slower than the construction of residential buildings. This tendency can be seen in Piaski Nowe. Last-century projects are the main basis for the functioning of this complex. It is important to determine the forms found in these housing estates, their functions and potential. The results of the research will contribute to effective spatial policy.

The article characterises architectural forms, spatial structures and basic functions of housing complexes built in the years 1999–2019 in Piaski Nowe and Kurdwanów Nowy. The research has showed that both estates have a predisposition to be attractive places to live. This fact is supported by existing public service facilities and developing private services. The location between the third and fourth Krakow ring road is also an important factor. An analysis of architectural forms has revealed changes in the way how the buildings are formed. There is a tendency to simplify building massings. The presented projects show that simplification is not synonymous with the end of potential for creating forms. It is just a path to new solutions.

The article presents the changes that took place in the village of Kurdwanów after its inclusion to Krakow. The analysis is carried out for area within the historical borders of Kurdwanów. These borders functioned until the introduction of a new division of the districts of Krakow in 2008. Transformations of architectural forms as well as spatial and functional layout are presented. The results were based on: analysis of archival documentation, observation of the environment and information obtained from the residents of Kurdwanów. The village of Kurdwanów was incorporated into the city in 1941. Construction of the multi-family housing estate began at the turn of the 1970s and 1980s. The housing estate was erected on a previously undeveloped hill above Cechowa Street. As a result, the main street of the village lost its importance.
Another crucial moment was the construction of a section of the southern Krakow bypass in 2003. The investment separated the historic village into two parts. Landscape values and social ties were destroyed.
The research was carried out to determine which processes and activities contributed to the destruction of the old village and the domination of previously empty areas. The result of the analysis indicates that the main factor were errors in the spatial policy of the city of Krakow.
Determination of unfavorable processes in the Kurdwanów’s area gives an opportunity to implement measures to prevent further degradation of the region.