Scholarly record

TRANSFORMATIONS OF HEALTH RESORTS IN THE CRACOW METROPOLIS

E. Weclawowicz-Bilska

Abstract

Health resorts and spas have been created around many large cities and European metropolises for centuries. For years, the Author has been researching spatial conditions in Polish and European spas in literature and during field- related architectural and urban studies. In the article the Author presents issues of spa treatment centres in the Cracow metropolis, where the first of them began their activities in the 18th century. The work distinguishes several types of organisational and programme-spatial situations among these types of structures in the metropolitan area of Cracow. The sources of mineral healing water and natural resources of Cracow are very large. Observing the spatial changes made in individual spa centres in Krakow, the author attempted to determine the real potential of the entire metropolis in this area. An over 2.5-time increase in the number of city dwellers and the 1.5-time enlargement of its surface, created new opportunities also in terms of the creation of spas. The possibilities of effectively creating new spas in the metropolis of Cracow still exist, but are related to reducing air pollution and to constant improvement of the environmental conditions.

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