Rewitalization of River Valleys and Development of Tourism (Lublin and Puławy Study Case)

Abstrakt

River valleys are special zones in the structure of the city. In many cities, a river valley forms one of a few open spaces with free exchange of the air and specific microclimate. River valleys are also elements of social ties and concentration of inhabitants, who fulfill their own needs of social relationships, leisure and sport. Rivers have the ability to create typical places, characterized by originality of form, function and content; and magical unusual places. Thanks to them the city is recognizable and associated by inhabitants as well as visitors. Riverside areas, emphasizing individuality and unique character of cities-on-river, have become strategically important for city development. Revitalization, as the main
direction of Polish cities development in the first half of the 21st century is considered as the chance for new quality of
riverside urban space and improvement of river valleys functioning in cities. Revitalization activities can contribute to the
improvement of life quality and increase touristic potential of cities.
The main aim of the paper is to analyse the relationship between revitalisation and the development of tourism and
recreation in relation to urban stretches of river valleys. The analytic-synthetic method was used in the research to show
the attractiveness of urban riversides based on literature. Furthermore, comparative studies were carried out concerning
the relationship of revitalisation vis-à-vis tourism and recreation”. Two locations in Lublin region were selected for this
purpose: Lublin and the Bystrzyca valley (a large city and a small river, the valley forming the axis of the city), and Puławy
and the Vistula valley (a medium-sized town and a large river whose valley adjoins the town). Attention is given to provisions
concerning the revitalisation of river valleys (urban space within river valleys) in strategic documents, particularly
local revitalisation schemes, and examples of measures improving the attractiveness of riverside areas. The final remarks
present revitalisation measures carried out within urban stretches of river valleys.