The directions in development for small towns in Podkarpacie considering the contemporary needs of their inhabitants

Cracow University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Institute of Urban Design, Chair of Housing Environment

^* Corresponding author: j.kobylarczyk@op.pl

Abstract

The article presents three challenges. It focuses on the issue of small towns in the Podkarpacie region, which until recently was perceived as an area of stagnation. Today its potential is becoming increasingly recognised as a result of, among others, landscape values, pro-health and environmental conditions, natural resources, the good condition of the natural environment and the low pollution of air and waters.The second trend concerns small urban centres which, because of limited access to services, including important centres and jobs, are more difficult to promote as significant for the development of city tourism. Very often, they remain in the shadow of larger urban centres, unable to specialise in a given function. The opinion of their residents on housing conditions as well as the needs directed to an inhabited area is another important issue for determining the directions of development for small towns, which is another research problem of the paper.The article presents the results of sociological research carried out in selected urban centres. They concern the assessment of the quality of the residential environment made by respondents - the residents. Their opinion undoubtedly influences the determination of the directions in development for the cities indicated for research