Browsing by Author "Modrzewski, Bogusz"
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Item How to Create Healthy, Stress-Resilient Post-Pandemic Cities(2024-04-26) Wdowicka, Magdalena; Mierzejewska, Lidia; Szejnfeld, Marta; Modrzewski, Bogusz; Sikorska-Podyma, Kamila; Wronkowski, Adam; Lechowska, EwaThis article analyzes the correlation between the city size, population density and character of three Polish cities and the following aspects: (1) inhabitants’ subjective stress level and its change during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) sources and effects of their stress during the pandemic, (3) ways of reducing stress by residents and the role of greenery in this respect and (4) directions of changes in the structure of post-pandemic cities desired by their residents. The main research method was geo-surveys, the results of which were developed using statistical analysis and GIS methods. On the basis of the constructed scale, respondents subjectively assessed the level of experienced stress and its change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research shows that none of the considered features of cities (including size measured by the number of inhabitants) are related to the level of pandemic stress of their inhabitants. All of them, on the other hand, are correlated with the directions of urban spatial development desired by the residents, conducive to stress reduction. Furthermore, the size of the city and its character affect the subjectively perceived change in stress levels during the pandemic (compared to the stress level before pandemic). Some of the effects of pandemic stress and ways of reducing it depend on the character of the city. The stress experienced by the inhabitants is the lowest in cities with the largest share of green areas in the spatial structure (especially with forest complexes and naturally shaped areas of river valleys), where an effective system of greenery has been adopted (the Howard’s garden city model), and at the same time with dominant single-family housing. The research results were used to indicate new directions for shaping post-pandemic cities that are more resistant to stress and thus healthier for their residents.Item New urban governance as a way of building city resilience to pandemic-caused stress (COVID-19)(2024-06-03) Mierzejewska, Lidia Bogusz Ewa; Sikorska-Podyma, Kamila; Szejnfeld, Marta; Wdowicka, Magdalena; Modrzewski, Bogusz; Lechowska, EwaThe COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed by governing powers, aimed at limiting the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, have resulted in high social and economic costs and lead to an elevated level of chronic stress, particularly in cities. The study aims to demonstrate an original new urban governance conception and to indicate the possible role of such governance in building city resilience to stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research proves that new urban governance should primarily include building stronger and more flexible forms of cooperation, engaging highly qualified, interdisciplinary experts to planning and city governing and applying smart technologies in communication and urban governance. What has been also emphasized is different mechanisms of new urban governance when the impact of the pandemic has to be suddenly mitigated and during a long-term reconstruction of the city system towards a stress-resilient city. The study is theoretical in nature and is based on a comprehensive review of the extensive literature on the subject.Item The Role of Greenery in Stress Reduction among City Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic(MDPI, 2023-05-16) Mierzejewska, Lidia; Sikorska-Podyma, Kamila; Szejnfeld, Marta; Wdowicka, Magdalena; Modrzewski, Bogusz; Lechowska, EwaCities, as places of social interactions and human relationships, face new challenges, problems, and threats, which are sources of stress for residents. An additional cause of stress in recent years has been the COVID-19 pandemic; it was urban dwellers who were most exposed to the virus and most affected by it. Chronic stress has led to the serious erosion of physical health and psychophysical well-being among urban dwellers, and so there is a need to seek new solutions in terms of building the resilience of cities and their residents to stress. This study aims to verify the hypothesis that greenery reduced the level of stress among urban dwellers during the pandemic. The verification of this hypothesis was achieved based on a literature analysis and the results of geo-questionnaire studies conducted involving 651 residents of Poznan—among the largest of Polish cities, where the share of green areas in the spatial structure is more than 30%. According to the analysis, the interviewees experienced above-average stress levels that went up during the pandemic, and the source was not so much the virus but the restrictions imposed. Green areas and outdoor activities helped in reducing this stress (being surrounded by and looking at greenery, garden work, or plant cultivation). Residents perceive a post-pandemic city as one that is more green, in which priority is given to unmanaged green areas. It has also been pointed out that a response to the reported need for urban re-construction towards stress resilience may be a biophilic city.