414
T. Ciupa and R. Suligowski
in other cities at the design stage (e.g. a park in Wola Duchacka in Kraków) or
implementation stage (e.g. in Radom).
Environmental activities in the field of protection and renewal of water ecosystems
in Polish cities include, first of all, restoration of degraded areas, including improvement of water quality and maintenance of hydrogenic habitats in a state similar to
natural ones, supported mainly by local governments [151, 152]. From the beginning
of the twenty-first century, the trend of “returning to the river” has been observed
in many Polish cities, expressed by the development of coastal areas, e.g. natural
marinas (e.g. Bydgoszcz, Wrocław, Konin, Sandomierz), walking promenades (e.g.
Płock, Chełm), bicycle routes (e.g. Kazimierz Dolny, Kielce), beaches, boulevards
and promenades (e.g. Warsaw, Toru´ n, Pozna´ n). These investments stimulate not only
the recreation of residents but also have practical significance because they stimulate
the development of various services, including catering. An important element of
local government activities is to inform local communities, including school youths
about the state, threats and protection of the aquatic environment through publications on this topic in bulletins and mass media, organizing seminars and lectures,
city games, happenings, whiteboard films broadcasted in public transportation (e.g.
Warsaw). Moreover, World Water Day has been actively celebrated for over a dozen
years in Polish cities. Concerts, trips, workshops and competitions for children and
youths are organized, and the topic is different each year, e.g. in 2011 the slogan
was “Water for cities”, and in 2017—“Sewage as an unlimited source of water”. In
2018, whose main theme was “Nature for water”, events took place, among others,
in Pozna´ n, Warsaw, Wrocław, Opole, Katowice, Cracow, Kielce, Białystok, Olsztyn,
Gda´ nsk and D˛ abrowa Górnicza. Organizing pro-ecological events for several years as
part of the international PARK(ing) Day is another interesting initiative, where much
attention is devoted to topics related to water in the city (including Łód´ z, Pozna´ n,
Olsztyn, Warsaw). Information and educational campaigns (leaflets, brochures, meetings, workshops) are also systematically carried out among residents, and information boards and didactic paths are placed in places that are valuable and exposed to
degradation. These initiatives are increasingly supported financially by ecological
foundations and the European Union.
17.8 Conclusion
The assessment of water resources in Poland would be incomplete if it does not take
into account the importance of urban areas, which occupy 6.9% of the territory of
the country (930 cities) inhabited by 60.1% of the total population (about 23 million
people). The advanced state of urbanization processes affects significantly changes
in water cycle and leads to the degradation of water environment. In cities, what gains
special significance is learning the man–water environment interactions treated as
pressure → state → reaction. It is necessary to conduct sustainable development in
these areas, taking into account the multidirectional needs of population, economy
as well as the water environment.
T. Ciupa and R. Suligowski
in other cities at the design stage (e.g. a park in Wola Duchacka in Kraków) or
implementation stage (e.g. in Radom).
Environmental activities in the field of protection and renewal of water ecosystems
in Polish cities include, first of all, restoration of degraded areas, including improvement of water quality and maintenance of hydrogenic habitats in a state similar to
natural ones, supported mainly by local governments [151, 152]. From the beginning
of the twenty-first century, the trend of “returning to the river” has been observed
in many Polish cities, expressed by the development of coastal areas, e.g. natural
marinas (e.g. Bydgoszcz, Wrocław, Konin, Sandomierz), walking promenades (e.g.
Płock, Chełm), bicycle routes (e.g. Kazimierz Dolny, Kielce), beaches, boulevards
and promenades (e.g. Warsaw, Toru´ n, Pozna´ n). These investments stimulate not only
the recreation of residents but also have practical significance because they stimulate
the development of various services, including catering. An important element of
local government activities is to inform local communities, including school youths
about the state, threats and protection of the aquatic environment through publications on this topic in bulletins and mass media, organizing seminars and lectures,
city games, happenings, whiteboard films broadcasted in public transportation (e.g.
Warsaw). Moreover, World Water Day has been actively celebrated for over a dozen
years in Polish cities. Concerts, trips, workshops and competitions for children and
youths are organized, and the topic is different each year, e.g. in 2011 the slogan
was “Water for cities”, and in 2017—“Sewage as an unlimited source of water”. In
2018, whose main theme was “Nature for water”, events took place, among others,
in Pozna´ n, Warsaw, Wrocław, Opole, Katowice, Cracow, Kielce, Białystok, Olsztyn,
Gda´ nsk and D˛ abrowa Górnicza. Organizing pro-ecological events for several years as
part of the international PARK(ing) Day is another interesting initiative, where much
attention is devoted to topics related to water in the city (including Łód´ z, Pozna´ n,
Olsztyn, Warsaw). Information and educational campaigns (leaflets, brochures, meetings, workshops) are also systematically carried out among residents, and information boards and didactic paths are placed in places that are valuable and exposed to
degradation. These initiatives are increasingly supported financially by ecological
foundations and the European Union.
17.8 Conclusion
The assessment of water resources in Poland would be incomplete if it does not take
into account the importance of urban areas, which occupy 6.9% of the territory of
the country (930 cities) inhabited by 60.1% of the total population (about 23 million
people). The advanced state of urbanization processes affects significantly changes
in water cycle and leads to the degradation of water environment. In cities, what gains
special significance is learning the man–water environment interactions treated as
pressure → state → reaction. It is necessary to conduct sustainable development in
these areas, taking into account the multidirectional needs of population, economy
as well as the water environment.