Geographia Polonica (2008) vol. 81, iss. 2

Abstract

The existing typologies of rural-urban regions can be divided into three categories, based ondifferent criteria that refer to alternative concepts of the region and of urban–rural relations. The fi rstcategory is represented by studies in which the hierarchical structure of rural–urban regions is exposed,as determined by the functional profi le as well as the range of functions performed, the populationpotential, and the political and administrative status of the main urban centre. The second categorycomprises typologies based on criteria related to level of urbanization, i.e. the extent to which a givenarea has an urban vs. rural character. These typologies also tend to include criteria related to spatial forms– the morphology of settlement, as well as the density and redistribution of population. Typologicalstudies in the third category focus on the interdependence of, and interaction between the urban, periurban,and rural zones of rural–urban regions. Studies of the latter kind are rather rare, owing to theirexacting requirements as regards data, in particular with respect to fl ow data.

Keywords: urban-rural regions, regional typologies, functional urban regions, peri-urban areas.

Piotr Korcelli [korcelli@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakowskie Przedmieście 30, 00-927 Warszawa, Poland
Ewa Korcelli-Olejniczak [eko@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Abstract

The research reported on here has concerned the emergence of the software industry in Polandand its uneven spatial distribution. The emergence of foreign software companies in Poland is shown tohave been underpinned by fi ve main factors, i.e. cost, accessibility to highly skilled graduates, the returnmigration of expats, the cultural milieu of certain cities and proximity to customers. Due to the boundedrationality of the founders, the main factor behind localised growth in Poland is relationship with previousplace of residence, study and/or work.

Keywords: software industry, software development centres, IT industry, sticky place, location factors, localised growth, Kraków, Poland.

Grzegorz Micek, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland

Abstract

While the pre-1989 urban structure in the Polish capital city, Warsaw, was well diagnosed pre-1989,existing spatial structures virtually disintegrated in the wake of adjustments to free-market conditionsfollowing the collapse of communism. The work described here has thus sought to investigate how thechanges in spatial structure alluded to have affected Warsaw’s post-1989 accessibility patterns. Specifically, use has been made of gravity-model-based indicators, disaggregated by commuting mode, inexamining the intra-urban differences in job and worker accessibility. Data analysis is based on the 1998Comprehensive Transport Survey conducted in Warsaw. Results show that residential and employmentaccessibility for both automobiles and public transport exhibits a concentric though irregular patterndeclining in intensity with increasing distance from the central area. Overall, the patterns indicate thedominance of the central area in the urban structure, with variations in accessibility by mode and similargeographical extents of accessibility of both modes.Key words: accessibility, commuting, journey-to-work,

Keywords: accessibility, commuting, journey-to-work, urban spatial structure, Warsaw.

Michael A. Niedzielski [m.niedzielski@twarda.pan.pl], Department of Geography, The Ohio State University, 1036 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Przemysław Śleszyński [psleszyn@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Abstract

This article presents results from a research dissertation aiming to discover the extent to which low-costairlines have had an impact on coach travel between Poland and the UK. A considerable amount of attentionhas been paid to the recent growth of passenger traffi c between the two countries, this in largepart refl ecting the withdrawal of UK restrictions on workers from the new Member States following the2004 EU enlargement. The EU enlargement was at the same time accompanied by liberalisation of theairline market in Poland, a process whose immediate effect was the formation of low-cost airlines makingair travel more affordable and attracting many new passengers including Polish jobseekers lookingfor inexpensive and simple ways to travel. The growing demand for travel was also accommodated bythe coach services very popular among Polish travelers even before 2004. However, while coach journeysaccounted for over half of the visits to the UK made by Polish residents in 2003, the proportionin question was already lower by the following year, as a result of the rapidly intensifying competitionwith travel by air. Nevertheless, such is the perceived complexity and discriminatory nature of the airlinebooking system, and such is the extent of the coach network, that a market for the latter means of travelstill exists, and indeed is seen to be popular among Polish passengers. The research presented here hasnevertheless revealed how the growth of airline operations has combined with intense competition onthe coach-travel market to put smaller coach operators at risk and to necessitate – as a key solution ensuringsurvival – an expansion of operations to and from smaller towns in Poland and the UK.

Keywords: EU enlargement, passenger traffi c, low-cost airlines, coach market, Poland, UK

Jakub Bojczuk, SWELTRAC, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ, United Kingdom

Keywords: city, region, urban sociology, transformation, East-Central Europe

Ewa Korcelli-Olejniczak [eko@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Keywords: geo-visualisation, spatial planning

Anna Kowalska [aniak@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland