The influence of spatial forms on local identity of inhabitants living in Upper Silesian settlements Giszowiec and Nikiszowiec

Mateusz Tofilski

Uniwersytet Śląski

Abstract

The aim of this paper is an analysis of the relationship between form of space and identity of its inhabitants, with special consideration of Upper Silesian borderland. The main purpose is to show that space, especially the city space, has got a great influence on the ties which connect inhabitants and their methods of defining themselves. It’s based on analysis of two Silesian workers settlements: Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec. These two settlements were built at the beginning of XXth century, for miners who were worked for Georg von Giesche’s Erben company, and their families. The construction of Nikiszowiec and Giszowiec was supervised by director Anton Uthemann and both of them were created by two German architects: Emil and George Zillmann. They were trying to create stable living conditions but in two different urbanistic and architectural forms. However, because of the history, nowadays Nikiszowiec is still the same and intact in his original form but the majority of Giszowiec area was destroyed and substituted by a new form, what has an influence on today’s inhabitants' life.

Keywords:

identity, Silesia, space, region