Scholarly record

IDENTITY OF THE CITY – EXAMPLE OF CRACOW

M. Wdowiarz-Bilska

Abstract

Cities as living organisms are subject to constant changes in time. The urban heritage conservation system introduced in Poland in the 20th century attempts to stop the process of natural transformation of the structure, particularly with reference to historical areas of development. Nevertheless, there is no way to preserve the changing life, functions, and communities this tissue is home to. The goal of this paper is to identify traces of old times in the city structure, as symbols of memory and identity of the city. The study focuses most of all on the manner in which the already non-existent architectural and urban forms are inscribed in the contemporary urban tissue, as well as on commemorating significant events and personages of the 20th century. The research is based on in situ field studies, in-house studies, and interviews with residents. The results of research suggests that the old appearance of the city can be reflected in the new development layout, green areas, names, monuments, or local traditions. They constitute layers of the common memory. Preservation and commemoration of elements and events, even very distant in time maintains the identity of the place and enriches the public space of the city. The loss of forms, functions, and types of behaviour characteristic for the bygone times, and preserved exclusively in the residentsВ’ memory, or sometimes in names of streets or districts, causes space transformation and standardisation.

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