MONIKA MORAWIAK

In the current discussion on the future of the polish cities, increasing presence of the “bottom-up” activities included into the city-planning process can be noticed. One of the reasons of this fact, is dissatisfaction with the omnipresent commercialisation of the whole city space. As a reaction, the citizens, especially from the biggest polish cities start to organize themselves. At first to protest against adverse changes into their closest neighbourhood, then to fight for their rights to better city space. These activities are the sign of regaining the “right to the city”, as J. Holstom describes it. This phenomenon is typical not only in our times. In the history of european cities the increasing activity of civic movements could be noticed repeatedly. Ongoing “urban revolution” seems to be milder thanks to growing knowledge of participation methods, that helps local communities in the management of city space.

Key words: bottom-up activities, city as an emergent structure, participation methods