SOCIAL PROCESSES OF SHAPING URBAN RESILIENCE

Postsocialist countries suddenly turned from state regulation towards an extremely liberal economy, which resulted in changes in both power relations as well as city planning priorities (Kronenberg, et al., 2016). In the XXI century many urban green and blue areas in postsocialist cities were lost due to aggressive build-up often leading to social conflicts and public outrage (Dushkova et al., 2016; Hirt, 2012; Onose, Iojă, Niță, Badiu, & Hossu, 2020; Zupan & Budenbender, 2019). Projects led by urban activists aimed at improving the living environment in cities have been clearly noticeable in the last 20 years. Particularly active are groups fighting for clean air and those aimed at limiting the development of multi-dwelling housing in green areas. This reflects important challenges that urban areas tackle i.e. very high air pollution and strong investment pressure.

The aim of the study is to focus on different forms of civic engagement in projects related to sustainable development and environmental justice. We would like to find answers to the questions: Do urban communities hold enough power to pressure local authorities on environmental issues? Could bottom up civic initiatives influence local governments in creating the adapting urban environment to climate change scenarios?  How effective are urban activists and local movements in creating new forms of city management?

Team leader: Katarzyna Gorczyca (JU)

Research team members:
Łukasz Fiedeń (JU) – GIS specialist,  Magdalena Miśkowiec (JU) – citizen participation specialist, Agnieszka Świgost-Kapocsi (JU) – citizen participation specialist, Anna Sławik (JU)

Supervisors:
Dagmar Haase (UBER), Tobia Lakes (UBER), Martin Sudmanns (PLUS), Maarten Loopmans (KUL)