Limited mobility and restrictions in social life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s recreational behavior and made them seek more contact with nature. As a result, the provision of new recreational spaces in the vicinity of cities gained importance. In conditions of social distancing, rural and suburban areas can be an attractive alternative to individual short-term tourism, satisfying the need for recreation and mental and physical health restoration of urban residents. In the study a methodology for assessing the tourist and recreational potential of the area (METPRET) concerning the recreational behaviors identified in the pandemic was proposed. It includes the Recreational Potential Index (RPI), which comprises four criteria: landscape values and socio-economic conditions; environmental protection; air quality; transportation accessibility. The application of the methodology is exemplified in the Mazovia Voivodeship, Poland. The research allows the determination of characteristics that potential recreation areas should have under pandemic conditions. The RPI makes it possible to select new rural and suburban areas attractive for short-term tourism. Designating additional recreational areas may contribute to the dispersion of users in existing green areas in cities, which is particularly important during a pandemic.

The aim of the paper was to present the procedure of building neighborhood resilience to climate threats, embedded in planning (from the strategic to local level) and design process and focused on usage of natural adaptive potential. The presented approach encompasses: (1) the strategic identification of focal areas in terms of climate adaptation needs, (2) comprehensive diagnosis of local ecological vulnerability and natural adaptive potential to build adaptive capacity, and (3) incorporation of natural adaptive potential through an identified set of planning and design tools. For diagnosis and strategic environmental impact assessment, the multicriteria analysis has been elaborated. The described procedure is applied to the City of Warsaw on the strategic level, by elaboration of the ranking of districts in terms of priority to take adaptation actions based on climatic threats, demographic vulnerability, and assessment of Warsaw Green Infrastructure potential. For further analysis at the planning and design stage, the district with the most urgent adaptation needs has been chosen, and within its borders, two neighborhoods (existing and planned one) with diagnosed ecological sensitivity were selected. Both case studies were analyzed in terms of environmental conditions, urban structure, and planning provisions. It enabled identification of existing natural adaptive potential and assessment of its use. As a result, propositions for enhancing neighborhood resilience to climate change were suggested.

Over the last decade the number of studies on public transit accessibility has significantly increased. The aim of the study was to analyse the scope of application of measurements of the dynamic time accessibility in transportation systems for evaluation purposes. It was assumed that the indicator is a feasible measure for basic analysis however additional indicators are needed for reliable assessment. The study included assessing access to the global centre of Warsaw and to local and district centres in particular units. Public transit accessibility was analysed using schedule-based travel time and the population data statistic. The results of the study confirm the dynamic character of public transit time accessibility and its usefulness as a measure. Spatial and transit barriers were identified in local distribution centres and public transit operation. The work presented in the paper highlights the relevance of the in-depth evaluation of the public transit system in relation to the major congestion problems in Warsaw.

Existing studies on adaptive capacity often focus on isolated theoretical aspects of the concept, without offering practical tools for climate policy. Moreover, gaps remain in integrating public participation into adaptation strategies and in extending research beyond specific climate-related threats, such as flooding. Current climate adaptation plans usually rely on public statistics, which are not accurate enough to reflect adaptive capacity at the local level. Improving such plans requires incorporating local knowledge and adequately addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. This article proposes a survey-based tool for measuring social adaptive capacity, providing policymakers with detailed insights into a community’s ability to cope with climate change. The tool was tested while developing a climate adaptation plan for a medium-sized city in Poland. A total of 238 responses were analysed, applying basic and non-parametric statistical methods across four key variables: risk perception of climate change, perceived adaptive capacity, adaptation motivation, and adaptation behaviour. Findings revealed that residents were aware of climate change and believed in the necessity of adaptation. To translate this awareness into sustainable action, local authorities should raise individual responsibility, offer technical and financial guidance, provide various forms of financial assistance, and strengthen social capital, which could increase participation in grassroots initiatives.

This paper presents guidelines for the designation and development of locations for tourism and recreation in the countryside and on the city outskirts. The proposed criteria for designating these areas can be used in the development of strategic and planning documents. Using the METPRET and SWPR methodology in the area of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the research allows for the development of proposals to be included in the strategic documents of the voivodeship. These proposals indicated the need to find new areas with the potential for individual short-term tourism and recreation. In uncertain circumstances, an integrated approach to spatial policy is essential as it ensures the ability of urban, suburban, and rural areas to adapt to change and develop sustainably.