This article discusses the visual perception of selected buildings located in the historic centre of Cologne, Germany, that have been designed by outstanding architects. It presents eye-tracking research, both from a theoretical perspective and that of its application potential in, among other fields, psychology, management, architecture and urban planning. It also presents an experiment which was performed to evaluate the suitability of eye tracking in the assessment of the visual perception of architecture and its surroundings, utilising the case study method and members of Generation Z as the subject population. Analysis of the experiment’s results enabled the authors to formulate commentary on findings concerning typically observed attractors and distractors in the perception of architecture and its surroundings depending on context-specific conditions. The study provided evidence of the suitability of eye tracking in the assessment of the visual perception of works of architecture and indicated the possibility of continuing research concerning the assessment and shaping of the state of awareness and knowledge of architecture and urban planning, which can significantly affect public participation in urban governance.

This paper presents a study of the typology of medieval urban layouts in historical Lesser Poland in the context of their conservation requirements. It describes identified urban layouts in medieval Lesser Poland, namely the nine-square model, the turbine, the pseudo-oval (Silesian), and the orthogonal model enclosed within an oval or a circle. An analysis of current conservation measures, presented through the exazmple of ten well-preserved historic towns in former Lesser Poland, coupled with the authors' research findings, indicate the necessity of improving the protection of historic urban layouts. An amendment to monument protection law is proposed so as to include the need to establish an additional form of conservation, namely a historic town list or register. Furthermore, the authors note that a more system-based heritage site management is required, in accordance with international recommendations by the ICOMOS and UNESCO e.g. HUL.