Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar metropolitan area as an area subject to a necessary, detailed elaboration within DEFRIS Project

Transcription

1 Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar metropolitan area as an area subject to a necessary, detailed elaboration within DEFRIS Project University Professor NCU, dr hab. Daniela Szymańska the tanslation is not authorized Prepared as a contract of service for Kujawsko-Pomorskie Office of Spatial and Regional Planning in Włocławek Toruń 2004

2 Introductory notes The transformations that have occurred in Poland for several years, especially since the access of Poland to the European Union on 1 st May, 2004, have obliged the scientific circles to re-discuss and re-analyse the national settlement system in Poland. The transformations included the introduction of a free market competition, a growing openness for international investors, the processes of integration, globalisation of the economy, new industry technologies, the development in communication technologies and the consolidation of many companies. The question that arises from the situation is whether the elements of Polish settlement system satisfy the conditions of being strong links of European economy system. Is Polish economy able to compete with and be attractive to European and international markets having at the same time a polarized and multicentric/policentric settlement system and being dominated by Warsaw on a national scale? (Kudłacz, Markowski, Stawasz: 2003) It should be also stated which actions should be undertaken on a regional scale to boost the level of Polish space competitiveness. From the Polish business point of view it would be most adequate to create strong functional bonds between the distinguished agglomerations, and so along with the inter-agglomeration zones they would become the plane for the intensification of economic processes thus being competitive for the international economy (Kudłacz, Markowski, Stawasz 2003) It is also worth remembering that the competition on a global market is mostly based on two competitions, namely of the socio-economic space and of cities. The competitiveness and cooperation are the feature of a modern world. Nowadays, besides the concept of a polarized development or the theory of the growth poles conducive to creation of strong and stable environments, it can be observed that the idea of joining not only companies but first and foremost cities or towns into bipolar or policentric systems, regions (Euroregions) as well as countries (the European Union). Networking, so the relations justifying both vertical as well as horizontal cooperation, becomes a necessity in the conditions of the globalization of economy processes in order to gain competitive advantages over particular areas. In 2

3 each of the territory-based socio-economic systems, some structure of relationships settling the efficacy of the systems can be investigated (Kudłacz, Markowski, Stawasz:2003). New concepts of towns, cities and regions are born, in which a particular role is played by the bipolar systems, based on the synergic relations in dual systems, forming more or less integrated organisms. (Szymańska, Brzezińska, 2004, printout of work in in Department of Urban and Recreation Studies, Institute of Geography,Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń). As it has been previously mentioned, the renaissance of this idea, on both regional and national level, was facilitated by integration processes within the European Union and globalisation of economic processes. Big neighbouring cities make up, so called, subsystems in national settling system. These are frequently bipolar systems appearing along technical infrastructure or rivers. Discussions about bipolarity of spatial settlement systems are inspired by relative vicinity of cities that face the problem of competition at least on the domestic national market. Globalisation forces the strategies of local and national economies to restructure. New technologies, together with the desire to keep up to competition on local and global level create new possibilities of economic development. Business friendly cities quickly become competitive and tend to thrive in the global economy. Ingenuity of cities should be channelled in a way which shall enable the creation of institutions for co-operation between cities, regions and worldwide networks (T. Markowski 2003). Establishing mutual relations should be based on both political and economic stability reflected in long term strategies for development of cities and regions. Excellent telecommunication and transport networks add to creating a worldwide network of cities (A. Kukliński 2004) with bipolar systems acting one of the main roles. Taking into consideration the size and importance of centres making up a system, the following kinds of systems can be differentiated: of local scale (Golub-Dobrzyń - Bielsko-Biała), of regional scale (Kielce-Radom, Kalisz-Ostrów), of national scale (GOP-Kraków, Bydgoszcz-Toruń), and of international scale. What are bipolar settlement systems? As it is suggested in reference literature, a bipolar system is made up of two neighbouring metropolitan areas with similar socio- 3

4 economic potential, and which have relatively similar functions in geographical space. The centres of bipolar systems, depending on the size of these systems and their role in overall settlement system, can be metropolitan areas, regional centres, voivodship capital cities or centres of economic growth with subregional, overlocal, or even local functions (Z. Zioło 2003). Functional and spatial integration processes lead to tightening the bonds between metropolitan areas and, hence, to creating bipolar systems. This thesis goes back to R. Karłowicz s 25-year-old conception dealing with, so called, the rule of two. The development of metropolitan areas, according to Karłowicz, is constantly pulsating. The characteristics of this pulsation rule is shifting between monocentric and polycentric settlement structure. As an example of such bicentric metropolitan areas he mentions Gdańsk-Gdynia or Kalisz-Ostrów settlement system. (Karłowicz, 1978) The process of uniting metropolitan areas into dual and polycentric systems reappeared with the idea of creating strong organisms which are supposed to be competitive in the global village to boost the economic growth in a particular region. Stable policy concerning the existence of these systems is aimed at attracting foreign investors, creating new work places and adding to a balanced development of a particular area. The symptoms of appearance of bipolar systems, according to E. Jakubowicz and S. Ciok (2003) are among others: Division of functions connected with authority and administration; this situation appears when one of the poles is characterised by a high level of economic development, whereas the other one is more prestigious and historically more important; a model example of this structure is Holland, whose Parliament has its seat in the Hague, and the Royal Palace is placed in Amsterdam; Presence of, so called, technological ducts; e.g.: Legnica Głogów a system based on copper processing, or Skarżysko-Kamienna Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski a system connected with The Old Polish Industrial District (Staropolski Okręg Przemysłowy); 4

5 Co-operation of border cities connected with their vicinity and their being separated by the national border e.g: Guben-Gubin, Słubice- Frankfurt; economic relations, and above all, friendship in such systems are frequently a starting point for creating euroregions; Competition between towns: in the first place, the cities compete for the status of a voivodship city, and a seat for central offices the seat of voivodship or local authorities e.g.: Kielce-Radom or Lesko-Ustrzyki Dolne, and secondly, cities with similar functions compete for the primacy in the region e.g: Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba. The bipolar settlement metropolitan area of Bydgoszcz-Toruń An example of a bipolar system on national scale is the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar settling system (bipolar metropolitan area) which is the subject of this elaboration. This article is aimed at analysing the idea of creating the Bydgoszcz- Toruń bipolar system and highlighting, at the same time, that it is not a new creation, as it dates back to the 40 s and 50 s of the 20 th century. In view of numerous works dealing with this subject, it is symptomatic that both now and tens of years ago there has been a discussion continuing about the changing names of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system. The Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system used to be known as Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area, Bydgoszcz-Toruń conurbation or even Bydgoszcz-Toruń megalopolis. The opinions concerning the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system have always been split. Some experts distinguish the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area (S.Leszczycki, P.Eberhardt, S.Herman 1971 in the research of the Institute of Geography Polish Academy of Science 1972, in the Polish Metropolis Union, in Karłowicz s works 1978), whereas some point at its individual character (D.Sokołowski (1993), J. Stachowski (1993), GUS (The Main Statistic Office) in 1972 r., T.Kudłacz (2003), G.Gorzelak (2004), G.Litowski (1980). A variety of often significantly different criteria taken into account while delimitating the Bydgoszcz-Toruń system (which influences the results) e.g.: population, ways of getting to work, transport infrastructure, ways of getting to post-primary schools, or 5

6 industrial relations resulted in varying, and sometimes changing, opinions of scientists concerning the existence of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar settlement system. Works by J. Namysłowski can serve as a telling example. In his early research, Namysłowski proved the existence of the system, only to reach the conclusion in his later works, that there is no such a system (he based his latter opinion on the analysis of students travelling to post-primary schools). According to him, an attempt to identify the local systems of cities of Bydgoszcz and Toruń revealed their spatial differentiation. The genesis of one of the most controversial systems in Poland, namely the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system goes back to many years ago. (J. Szczepkowski, 1977). The idea of identification of Bydgoszcz and Toruń appeared for the first time on the turn of the 40 s and 50 s of the 20 th century in the elaboration of Town Planning Office in Bydgoszcz in, so called, Bydgoszcz-Inowrocław-Toruń (BIT) planning urban conception. The factors which supported the creation of this system included: the vicinity of the cities of Bydgoszcz and Toruń; good communication connections between Bydgoszcz and Toruń, and the mutual complementary character of the cities. This conception, however, did not establish the spatial boundaries of the area. The system comprising the three cities (BIT) was seen more as a three-part transport structure and less as a functional system. The second time when Bydgoszcz and Toruń were wedded in one settling system was in 1968, when the Main Statistical Office (GUS) while delimitating (based on particular criteria) the metropolitan areas in Poland, distinguished the Bydgoszcz metropolitan area of Bydgoszcz which included Toruń. Some experts, including A. Wróbel, thought this delimitation inappropriate as both Bydgoszcz and Toruń had the population of over 100 thousand, and, according to the author, there should have been two metropolitan areas distinguished Bydgoszcz and Toruń. Between 1971 and 1973 the research concerning the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system accelerated. At that time the prospective prospective Plan of the Spatial Management of the Country up till 1990 was created. Among numerous elaborations, the works by S. Leszczyński, P. Eberhardt and S. Herman from 1971 concerning establishing urban-industrial metropolitan areas, are worth mentioning. 6

7 These authors distinguished between three types of areas: central; urbanised and undergoing urbanisation processes. The urban-industrial metropolitan areas comprised the central and urbanised areas which were in close vicinity and their total population and the number of people employed in industry were not smaller than 1% of overall figures in the whole country. In this elaboration, the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area was established as one of the 16 urban-industrial metropolitan areas in Poland. It was the first time the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area had been named a bipolar system. The urbanising area situated between the two poles of Bydgoszcz and Toruń was included in the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area. The authors stressed the fact that the two main cities are separated by a very limited number of kilometres, and that there were mutually complementary functional relations between them. They are substitutes for each other, which derives from daily exchange of workers between the cities. Moreover, they claimed that it was industry that was a distinguishing feature of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area, and additionally Toruń was renowned for its university and science. This idea was later reflected in subsequent elaborations of, among others, Institute of Geography of Polish Academy of Science in 1972, as well as, in works of regional and urban offices of Bydgoszcz and Toruń from We must remember that an overwhelming majority of scientists emphasised the existence of bicentric, bipolar Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area. R. Karłowicz (1978) was one of them, and in his works he postulated the necessity to steer the metropolitan area in the direction of bipolarity, as only such solution gives a chance for its appropriate functioning. The Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area has usually been delimited as a coherent and unbroken spatial phenomenon. It was only B. Bańkowska (1974), who suggested a different view dividing the Bydgoszcz-Toruń conurbation with rivers and forests. Another work, in which the existence of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar metropolitan area was confirmed, was an elaboration (1979) by the Government Planning Committee, which while delimitating the metropolitan area applied the 7

8 method of the Institute of the Environment Management. Despite the fact that the division of influences of both cities was acknowledged, the 1979 planning vision of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area was an example of sustaining the idea the existence of a bipolar metropolitan area. Virtually at the same time there appeared works, which questioned the existence of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area, pointing at the independent existence of both cities (Litowski,1980; Korcelli,1980). They claimed that the vast forest areas between Bydgoszcz and Toruń (no urban centre, thus) were the reason for rejecting the idea that the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area existed. Lack of the process of functional unification of both cities was also an argument for rejecting the idea. A similar summary of divagations concerning the existence of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area in the 70 s of the 20 th century was presented by Stachowski and Sokołowski (1993), who claimed that in the 70 s both cities developed separately and in case of conscious stimulation (after G. Litowski, 1980) there can appear two autonomous urban centres. Still another, the most recent elaboration distinguishing the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar settling system is, so called, Bydgoszcz-Toruń Metropolitan Area (BTOM) created by the Union of Polish Metropolitan Areas (2002). BTOM comprises 5 cities and towns (Bydgoszcz,. Toruń, Koronowo, Solec Kujawski, Chełmża) and 16 gminas. The total area is 2915 km 2 and the population 765 thousand people, which makes up approximately 2% of total population of Poland. BTOM aims at creating advantageous legal conditions for development of the towns and cities, as well as, the whole metropolitan area, and consequently improving the competitiveness of the region in domestic and European economy. 8

9 Key: Ośrodek metropolitarny Metropolitan Centre Obszar metropolitarny Metropolitan Area Sieć trans-europejska w Polsce Trans-European Network in Poland Sieć drogowa Road Network Sieć kolejowa - Railway Network Problem integracji transportowej - Problem of Transport Integration Warszawy i Łodzi - of Warsaw and Lodz Krakowa i Katowic - of Cracow and Katowice 9

10 It is necessary to emphasise that in current socio-economic conditions in Poland (but not only) the idea of joining cities and urban areas, the renaissance of the conception of bipolar systems gives a chance for economic development of these areas and for boosting their competitiveness on regional, national and international scale. The chances for development of a strong Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar metropolitan area are remarkable and this system can indeed play a crucial role in developing the region on regional, national or even international arena. First of all the cities of Bydgoszcz and Toruń are two biggest poles of growth in Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodship. Locating the Marshal s Office (the executive power) in Toruń and the Voivod s Office (the legislative power) in Bydgoszcz automatically created a dual politicaladministrative system. Secondly, bipolarity of this system derives from a relatively short distance between the two cities (Toruń and Bydgoszcz). Despite being spatially separated by forests, which makes housing on the areas between them difficult, their mutual connections nowadays are in no way hindered. Several years ago such connections may have proved difficult if not impossible, today however, owing to modern technologies and high-tech, the notions of space and vicinity have been redefined. We can observe the shrinking of space. Physical vicinity is no longer the main factor determining the construction of the settling system. Therefore, the forested area between Toruń and Bydgoszcz is not a hurdle on the way to create the Bydgoszcz-Toruń bipolar system. Another argument supporting the creation of such bipolar system is the fact that it is not a phenomenon which appeared at the end of the 20 th century. It is not a novelty which existence, and connections between elements must be found and proved (as it is in case of systems of Szczecin-Tricity or Poznań- Wrocław (T.Markowski, T.Kudłacz, D.Stawasz, K.Kuciński, 2003). The Bydgoszcz- Toruń metropolitan area (bipolar) drawing from a long experience of mutual relationships is a chance for not wasting a possibility for a fast and stable development. The fighting in mutual relations between both cities was usually grounded in the problem of authorities location, and consequently, the administrative function (rivalry in ; and in the 90 s of the 20 th century), which 10

11 is a sign of prestige and the rank of the city in the hierarchy of the settling network. After 1999 the problem has ceased to exist, and the distribution of power between the two cities has become an important factor in creating the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that year by year deliberate and voluntary actions of politicians and citizens of both cities add to tightening the socioeconomic bonds. It definitely facilitates the creation of a strong economic region competitive on the regional, national and international scale. The subject of a bipolar metropolitan area is very current one, therefore, further steps in research concerning the emergence of the Bydgoszcz-Toruń metropolitan area should be taken. Moreover, this problem should also be included in DEFRIS project. 11