INTRODUCTION
The impact of cities on their surroundings is significant, irrespective of the rate and
directions of their development. The influence of the development of spatial and functional
peripheral areas as well as the ties between them are one of the constant study
problems realized by researchers in the range of different scientific disciplines. Cities
develop at a different pace and are characterized by different currents of the development;
nevertheless, the influence they exert on their environs is relevant. In response
to problems pertaining to the development of cities and the need for identification of
their connections with the environment, researchers in various disciplines undertake
to conduct studies in this respect.
The scientific articles contained in this volume deal with contemporary processes going
on at the meeting point of urban areas and their surroundings. They are concerned
with such issues as: financing integrated territorial investments, cities as growth poles,
cities within the polarized socioeconomic space, innovation potential of cities in Poland,
and also address questions connected with the development and transformations
of cities which have been degraded.
We hope that this volume will offer a source of interesting and inspiring knowledge
resulting from interdisciplinary scientific studies in the scope of functioning, planning
and managing the development of cities.
Agnieszka Dembicka-Niemiec