Bożena Degórska

Influence of Climate Change on Environmental Hazards and Human Well-Being in the Urban Areas—Warsaw Case Study Versus General Problems

During relatively rapid changes of climate, urbanised areas are particularly vulnerable to increasing frequency of heatwaves and intensification of torrential rainfalls. Such areas are characterised by the high density of population, specific spatial structure, with a large share of built-up areas and decreasing share of biologically active compounds. This results in an enlargement of the areas under the impact of urban heat island, which as a consequence of a synergy effect with ageing residents triggers the lowering of the quality of human life and even increased mortality risk in terms of inflow of hot air waves. The aim of this presentation is to show on the example of Warsaw, how changes in land use structure during the next years may worsen the quality of life of residents, increase the risk of floods or increase the risk of elderly people and children mortality due to heatwaves. Moreover, the demographic standing of Polish cities will be shown in terms of the structure of inhabitants’ age. Particular attention will be driven to the issues of changes in land cover, the functioning of ecological corridors and wedges aerating the city, with urban sprawl as a result of strong sub-urbanisation processes. Negative consequences of climate changes will be presented along with proposals of adaptations of the environmental system to their courses.

Transformation of Kujawy Landscape in Central Poland (1770–1970)

The study concerned the Kujawy Region (Central Poland), and covered the period of 200-years from 1770 to 1970. The main objective was to identify landscape transformations focusing on the rural settlement development and land use changes. Determination of the impact of environmental and socioeconomic conditions on landscape changes was a very important goal. The research included spatial analysis of landscape changes based on the historical topographic maps, calculation of the size of these changes using indicators, determination the causes of landscape changes, and identification of the main periods of transformation.