In the heart of Europe, a silent transformation is reshaping the cultural and architectural landscape of post-socialist cities, with profound implications for urban planning, heritage preservation, and even the energy sector. As cities like Kraków and Lviv expand, they are absorbing surrounding villages, leading to a clash between modern urban development and traditional rural architecture. This phenomenon, explored in a recent study published in ‘Landscape Online’ (translated from Polish as ‘Landscape Online’), is drawing attention to the need for balanced, sustainable growth that respects historical roots.
Magdalena Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk, from the University of Agriculture in Kraków’s Department of Land Management and Landscape Architecture, has delved into this issue, focusing on the districts of Bronowice in Kraków and Znesinnya in Lviv. Her research highlights the rapid erosion of traditional architectural features—such as timberwork, façade materials, and roof types—that once defined these areas. “The urban-architectural features of these villages reflected a rural residential model rooted in agricultural traditions,” Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk explains. “This model is increasingly being replaced by modern housing estates, driven by dynamic urban change, technological progress, and investment pressure.”
The study employs a novel ‘building cohesion’ methodology to assess the impact of urban sprawl on these areas. By analyzing historical documents, iconography, and cartographic materials, Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk developed a model of traditional suburban village architecture. She then conducted a detailed field inventory in Bronowice, delineating a critical zone for cultural heritage preservation. The findings are stark: without preventive legal and planning interventions, as well as grassroots initiatives to promote awareness of the area’s rural origins, Znesinnya is likely to follow a similar trajectory of cultural landscape degradation.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As urban areas expand, the demand for energy-efficient building practices and sustainable urban planning becomes increasingly critical. Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk’s research underscores the need for developers and policymakers to consider the long-term impacts of urban sprawl on both cultural heritage and energy consumption. “Sustainable growth that respects traditional village layouts can lead to more energy-efficient and culturally cohesive communities,” she notes.
The study also projects two development scenarios for Znesinnya: one advocating for harmonious, sustainable growth that respects the traditional village layout, and a second, pessimistic scenario forecasting unregulated development similar to that in Bronowice. The forecasts suggest that without intervention, Znesinnya is likely to experience a similar loss of cultural landscape.
This research is a call to action for urban planners, developers, and policymakers to prioritize sustainable and culturally sensitive urban expansion. As cities continue to grow, the lessons from Bronowice and Znesinnya offer valuable insights into how to balance modern development with the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. The energy sector, in particular, has a vested interest in promoting energy-efficient building practices that align with these goals.
In the words of Wilkosz-Mamcarczyk, “The future of our cities depends on our ability to integrate sustainable practices with respect for our cultural past.” As the urban landscape continues to evolve, her research provides a roadmap for achieving this delicate balance.