The role of old towns in small Warmian towns in shaping the region’s cultural landscape

Abstract

Motives: The historical urban layout and architectural design of old towns significantly contribute to the cultural landscape of small towns and the region. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of historical spatial structures in the development of the local cultural landscape. The study was conducted in small Medieval towns in the Region of Warmia in north-eastern Poland. The extent to which the architectural design of historical urban structures, in particular architectural landmarks, influences the local landscape was analyzed.Aim: The described research goals were achieved with the use of several research methods. The study demonstrated that the Medieval spatial urban layout of old towns, including architectural landmarks, significantly influences the region’s cultural landscape and contributes to a strong sense of local identity. The results suggest that historical architecture and urban layout can contribute to the economic development of small towns.Results: The results indicate that well-preserved historical urban structures can contribute to the economic growth of small towns and effective promotion of regions.

Assessing the Success of the Development Strategy of the Cittaslow Movement: An Analysis of Revitalisation Programs and Experts Insights on the Model for Small Towns’ Sustainable Development

“…Experts also point out the necessity of developing functions related to health and space (9 and 8 experts, respectively). Another significant priority of urban development is transport and communication (7), followed by tourism and recreation (6), the public service and education (5). The smaller roles are played by entrepreneurship, infrastructure, culture, and environment (Figure 8).…”

“…Especially Cittaslow towns often have a unique character and charm that can be leveraged to attract visitors and businesses. This can involve preserving historic buildings and landmarks, promoting local arts and culture, and celebrating the town's history and heritage [3,5]. Overall, revitalising small towns requires a collaborative effort that involves a range of stakeholders and addresses a variety of issues [6].…”

“…Researchers in various European countries and around the world analyse the relationship between the development of these small towns and the need to introduce diverse strategies, methods, and tools in spatial, environmental, social, and economic terms. Examples of such studies can be seen in Italy [29][30][31][32], Germany [20,33], Poland [5,[8][9][10][11]28,[34][35][36][37], the UK [38], Ireland [39], Spain [40] and Scandinavian countries [41,42], Turkey [43,44], USA [45], Australia [46,47], New Zealand [48], South Korea [49], etc.…”

Scenariusze odnowy małych miast. Wyzwania i problemy rewitalizacji wybranych ośrodków województwa warmińsko-mazurskiego

“…Do silnych barier rozwojowych należą też problemy związane z finansowaniem nowych projektów, niewielka skala inwestycji zewnętrznych oraz niewystarczający stopień rozwoju innych sektorów poza turystyką (Senetra, Szarek-Iwaniuk, 2020;Zagroba, 2023) . Do listy poważnych wyzwań wpływających w bardzo silnym stopniu na kondycję miast regionu należy dopisać malejący potencjał demograficzny oraz trudne do przezwyciężenia peryferyjne położenie, zarówno w sensie geograficznym, jak i administracyjnym, ekonomicznym i demograficznym (Musiaka, 2020;Musiaka i in ., 2021) .…”