Selected Determinants of Recreational and Tourist Activity of the Inhabitants …
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metropolises and metropolitan areas. The process of metropolisation can be viewed as
a functional aspect (as the highest level of a settlement system’s spatial development)
or as a spatial aspect (a centre in which development is measured in the flow of
capital, technology, knowledge, symbols, and ideas) (Jałowiecki and Gorzelak 2000;
Castells 1998). It is possible to notice functional dependencies between production
and consumption in different individual elements of a metropolitan area (Castells
1998).
Based on the size and competitiveness of a metropolitan area and the level
of economic development based on knowledge and communication availability,
the European classification of metropolitan areas (MEGA—Metropolitan European
Growth Areas) distinguishes the following metropolitan areas: global, European
engines of growth, strong MEGA, potential MEGA, and weak MEGA (European
Commission, Interim Territorial Cohesion Report 2004). The Pozna´ n Metropolis
was classified as a weak MEGA area (similarly to the metropolises of Katowice,
Gda´ nsk, Kraków, Wrocław, Łód´ z, and Szczecin). The National Spatial Development
Concept 2030 (2011) refers to the term of metropolitan area in urban–rural units that
is comprised of a core—the city, and its adjacent areas—towns of regional significance, monocentric spatial units (e.g. Pozna´ n) and policentric spatial units (e.g. the
Tricity and Katowice Urban Area).
The Pozna´ n Metropolis, as the studied area, is not homogenous considering the
administration, settlement, and spatial and functional aspects. The metropolitan area
includes areas of different functions: housing, industry, economy, service, and recreational and tourist areas. All of them impact one another. In the context of sustainable development of a metropolis, natural diversity and attractiveness of the area is
important, as shown in these elements:
– The Pozna´ n Metropolis is located within several physical-geographical units
[Pozna´ n Lakeland, Wrze´ snia Plain, Gniezno Lakeland, Pozna´ n Gorge of the Warta
River (Kondracki 2008)], which results in diversified terrain configuration.
– A characteristic element of the landscape is the radial arrangement of river valleys:
Warta, Wełna, Cybina, Bogdanka, Sama, and Samica, and lakes located in the sub
glacial channel, especially those located in the Wielkopolski National Park and
lakes of Kórnik and Bnin.
– The presence of forest ecosystems of the Wielkopolski National Park and landscape parks: Puszcza Zielonka, Promno, Rogali´ nski, nature reserves, NATURA
2000 areas, and protection forests (Mizgajski and Zwierzchowska 2015).
Living within a city, in a heavily urbanised area, results in changing social needs,
especially concerning everyday leisure and recreation (Zamelska and Kaczor 2017b,
2018). These changes result in seeking ‘clean and friendly’ and attractive areas within
the immediate surroundings or within the metropolis that will enable one to engage
in active forms of leisure, which translate into satisfaction and a greater quality of
life of the inhabitants.
97
metropolises and metropolitan areas. The process of metropolisation can be viewed as
a functional aspect (as the highest level of a settlement system’s spatial development)
or as a spatial aspect (a centre in which development is measured in the flow of
capital, technology, knowledge, symbols, and ideas) (Jałowiecki and Gorzelak 2000;
Castells 1998). It is possible to notice functional dependencies between production
and consumption in different individual elements of a metropolitan area (Castells
1998).
Based on the size and competitiveness of a metropolitan area and the level
of economic development based on knowledge and communication availability,
the European classification of metropolitan areas (MEGA—Metropolitan European
Growth Areas) distinguishes the following metropolitan areas: global, European
engines of growth, strong MEGA, potential MEGA, and weak MEGA (European
Commission, Interim Territorial Cohesion Report 2004). The Pozna´ n Metropolis
was classified as a weak MEGA area (similarly to the metropolises of Katowice,
Gda´ nsk, Kraków, Wrocław, Łód´ z, and Szczecin). The National Spatial Development
Concept 2030 (2011) refers to the term of metropolitan area in urban–rural units that
is comprised of a core—the city, and its adjacent areas—towns of regional significance, monocentric spatial units (e.g. Pozna´ n) and policentric spatial units (e.g. the
Tricity and Katowice Urban Area).
The Pozna´ n Metropolis, as the studied area, is not homogenous considering the
administration, settlement, and spatial and functional aspects. The metropolitan area
includes areas of different functions: housing, industry, economy, service, and recreational and tourist areas. All of them impact one another. In the context of sustainable development of a metropolis, natural diversity and attractiveness of the area is
important, as shown in these elements:
– The Pozna´ n Metropolis is located within several physical-geographical units
[Pozna´ n Lakeland, Wrze´ snia Plain, Gniezno Lakeland, Pozna´ n Gorge of the Warta
River (Kondracki 2008)], which results in diversified terrain configuration.
– A characteristic element of the landscape is the radial arrangement of river valleys:
Warta, Wełna, Cybina, Bogdanka, Sama, and Samica, and lakes located in the sub
glacial channel, especially those located in the Wielkopolski National Park and
lakes of Kórnik and Bnin.
– The presence of forest ecosystems of the Wielkopolski National Park and landscape parks: Puszcza Zielonka, Promno, Rogali´ nski, nature reserves, NATURA
2000 areas, and protection forests (Mizgajski and Zwierzchowska 2015).
Living within a city, in a heavily urbanised area, results in changing social needs,
especially concerning everyday leisure and recreation (Zamelska and Kaczor 2017b,
2018). These changes result in seeking ‘clean and friendly’ and attractive areas within
the immediate surroundings or within the metropolis that will enable one to engage
in active forms of leisure, which translate into satisfaction and a greater quality of
life of the inhabitants.