Natalia Bogdańska, who is a graduate of the EcoCity study programme, has received the Second Prize in the competition of the Polish Section of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) for the best diploma theses in the field of regional studies (the category of bachelor's theses).
The thesis entitled "Wpływ zagospodarowania miejskich przestrzeni publicznych na subiektywne poczucie bezpieczeństwa użytkowników. Przykład zrewitalizowanych obszarów Łodzi" [The Impact of the Development of Urban Public Spaces on the Subjective Sense of Safety of Users. The Example of Revitalized Areas of Lodz] was written by Natalia Bogdańska under the supervision of Dr Jakub Zasina at the Department of Regional Economics and Environment, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz.
The aim of this study was to determine how the development of revitalised public spaces in Lodz affects the sense of safety of their users. To achieve this goal, the author conducted a three-stage study of nine revitalised public spaces in the city centre of Lodz. Initially, she compiled a catalogue of factors that stimulate and de-stimulate a sense of safety in public spaces based on literature. She then located archival photographs and took new, original photographs of the analysed spaces. Finally, she conducted a survey.
The results of the study show that the revitalisation process significantly contributed to minimising the number of inactivators and increasing the number of stimulants of a sense of safety in the analysed public spaces. In most cases, respondents reported a greater sense of safety in these spaces after revitalisation than before. The study has also revealed that the users themselves are important stimulants and inactivators of a sense of safety in public spaces.
Source: Natalia Bogdańska & ERSA Polska
Edit: Dr Jakub Zasina
