Scholarly record

COMPREHENSIVENESS OF INFORMATION AND AID IN TERMS OF SHAPING SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FROM THE RESIDENTS’ POINT OF VIEW. POLAND, THE NETHERLANDS

M. Jagiello-Kowalczyk

Abstract

Background The article presents a study of the problem of the comprehensiveness of information and aid in terms of shaping sustainable residential development projects. The study employed the point of view of the users of sustainable developments in Poland and in the Netherlands on this matter. When beginning the process of shaping one's own residential development project, users who show a willingness and need to adopt the rules of sustainable architecture expect reliable information and aid in terms of planning and construction. While declaring an inclination to live in healthy and pro-environmental surroundings, they would like to have the possibility of obtaining in-depth information from one place and from one source. They expect aid concerning their own specific sustainable development project, adapted to their respective sites and individual needs. Methods The study was performed on the basis of the following scientific methods: the focus group method, the statistical method and the method of the critical analysis of available sources. In the study, the users of residential developments in Poland and the Netherlands filled out questionnaires about comprehensiveness regarding information and aid in terms of shaping sustainable residential development projects in their countries. Based on their answers, an analysis and evaluation of the problem was performed. The results in Poland and the Netherlands were compared, along with the presenting of the conclusions of this comparison. Results Fundamental, statistically significant differences were observed between the answers of the users of residential developments from Poland and the Netherlands regarding access to comprehensive information and aid concerning the shaping of sustainable residential development projects. In the Netherlands, the comprehensiveness of information and aid was observed to be regarded very highly. The Internet, as well as mass media sources, the local press, all manners of documentation and materials published by community authorities, environmental organisations, associations, etc. were presented as sources by the Dutch. For Poland, the comparison of the comprehensiveness of information and aid at all stages of the shaping of a residential development project: from its planning, through its design and construction, to occupancy, was shown to be worryingly unfavourable. Integrated action based on the strict cooperation of all participants of the development process, from the conceptual phase , through design and construction, all the way to occupancy is not properly employed in Poland. Conclusion In Poland there is no appropriate access to comprehensive information and aid for developers and users declaring a willingness to shape residential development projects on the basis of the precepts of sustainable development. The comparison between Poland and the Netherlands regarding matters concerning the coordination of efforts leading to the shaping of sustainable residential architecture showed significant differences between these two countries. The Netherlands are a country that is much more advanced in terms of education, knowledge and awareness, in addition to practice in this field that stems from them. This has provided a basis for discussion that in Poland it is also necessary and possible to carry out organisational, legal and financial efforts leading to the providing of comprehensive information and effective aid for developers who wish to shape their residential projects in accordance with the precepts of sustainable development.

Publication details

Back to publication list