The attractiveness of public spaces depends on many factors. Both physical components, functional and spatial solutions as well as the number and variety of activities of people using them are significant. However, one of the most important roles of public spaces is to enable user integration and interaction — the existence of the so-called sphere of the “public domain” by facilitating establishing relationships between people. These relationships can be varied and determined among others by the length and type of contact between people, but also by the distance between the users. The greater the possibility of a deeper relationship, the more the quality of the “public domain” increases. Certain places with specific features give such an opportunity. They are so-called “third places”. They are informal public gathering places where people can interact and socialize. Care for the high level of the “public domain” and the broadly understood attractiveness of public spaces is important because it allows to increase the inhabitants’ quality of life. This fact, in turn, may also have a direct impact on the growth of the value of a given space both in the social, economic as well as cultural and political context. This article is intended to bring closer the types of interpersonal contacts occurring in the public space as well as different ways of their qualification. Above all, the basic aim of the work is to familiarize readers with the idea of “third places” and to present the possibilities of increasing the quality of the “public domain” both inside the buildings and between them.

This research addresses an urban problem that has emerged as a result of the increased number of trains on railway line located in a city center. The essence of this problem is the difficulty of crossing individual and public transport lines, on foot and by bicycle, due to the small number of crossings and passages, most of which are single-level. The authors consider the positive aspect of the emergence of a barrier to road transport and aim to solve the problem by ensuring access to the city center for people, not cars. The proposed solution includes a pedestrian and bicycle tunnel and two bus stops located near the tunnel entrances. The tunnel and bus stops are located within the former railway station. This once vibrant area would be revitalized through the creation of a multimodal transfer hub. The research included analysis of traffic study results, observation of a key railway crossing, an urban and functional analysis of the area, and an assessment of the architectural heritage within the former railway station. The design part formulated guidelines for the modernization of the road system, which is necessary to introduce city bus traffic and ensure their priority.

Plac Śreniawitów jest jednym z najważniejszych komponentów struktury urbanistycznej Rzeszowa. Przestrzeń ta nie została zaprojektowana jako plac, lecz uzyskała swój status w następstwie wyburzeń. Po kilkudziesięciu latach pełni funkcję węzła w układzie drogowym miasta, natomiast nie wypełnia typowych funkcji placu miejskiego, mimo istotnego potencjału wynikającego z historii, topografii oraz sąsiedztwa znaczących obiektów. Niewydolny układ drogowy i duże obciążenie ruchem pojazdów przyczyniły się do zaniku ruchu pieszych. Autorzy dokonali wszechstronnej analizy urbanistycznej rozpatrywanego miejsca w aspektach historycznym, geograficznym, krajobrazowym i funkcjonalnym. Dodatkowo analiza została osadzona w kontekście współczesnych teorii urbanistycznych. W oparciu o wyprowadzone wnioski sformułowano szereg propozycji ukierunkowanych na udrożnienie ruchu pojazdów, ograniczenie dedykowanej im powierzchni, stworzenia węzła przesiadkowego w transporcie zbiorowym oraz uatrakcyjnienie przestrzeni publicznej. Inwersję sposobu użytkowania przestrzeni oraz ujawnienie zakodowanych w niej znaczeń i reminiscencję dawnego krajobrazu potraktowano jako równorzędne wyzwania projektowe. Choć opracowanie odnosi się do konkretnej przestrzeni w Rzeszowie, to przyjęta metoda oraz holistyczne podejście do zagadnienia transformacji funkcjonalno-przestrzennej placu może inspirować osoby zaangażowane w projektowanie urbanistyczne oraz ochronę krajobrazu kulturowego również w innych miastach.

Based on research on the development potential of the city of Rzeszów, transport corridors with significant structuring potential were identified. Selected three streets were examined in terms of urban form, land use, traffic volume, greenery, and characteristic spatial elements. Major functional issues were identified, and transformation directions were proposed. For four characteristic crosssections, design solutions based on sustainable mobility principles were developed.

This work presents an analysis of villa development in Łańcut in the context of architectural, social, and urban changes from the late 19th century to the present day. The aim of the research was to determine the cultural and spatial value of the villas and to formulate principles for their conservation. Architectural, comparative, and historical analysis methods were used. The results of the research confirmed the importance of villas as an element of the town's cultural identity. Guidelines for the protection of spatial layouts, architectural forms, and landscaped greenery were formulated, pointing to the need for integrated protection of the villa heritage.