The key theme of this thesis is social integration and how it can be facilitated by the built environment. Inspired by the changing situation of the inner city district of Warsaw, Praga-North, investigation revolves around the topics of social interaction and creation of community and local identity through urban design.

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Praga- North has a distinct character that sets it apart from the rest of the city. It relates to pre-war urban fabric, which survived destructions of World War II, but was neglected ever since. It is a home to marginalized group of people that suffer from poverty, crime, unemployment and alcoholism. Praga- North struggles with its reputation as the most dangerous part of the city, the so-called Bermuda Triangle of Warsaw. Since 2000s the district began to attract artists, students and small businesses. The piecemeal regeneration of the district was stopped by the inconsistent policies of the city council that favoured developers over local entrepreneurs. Praga-North is becoming a home to high-end residential estates doubling the average price of the apartment in the area. The anticipated changes to function and social structure of the district as the regeneration proceeds are the basis of the design investigation. The thesis attempts to address the problem of providing for the needs of different groups of people in a way that would lead to integration and creation of community rather than segregation and marginalization.

 

The intricate network of relations is investigated through the prism of theory of complexity. It states that individual interactions lead to creation of collectives that influence environment and are influenced by it. Therefore, the creation of community might be enhanced by facilitating social interactions and by providing environment that is adaptable to the evolving needs yet maintains character. Both themes are investigated on the example of Paisley, Scotland. Paisley is a struggling post-industrial town that wishes to establish its identity as a unique city, focusing on community-led initiatives. 

 

The culmination of investigation are community-oriented design proposals that address the social and economic issues of two locations in Paisley. The lessons learnt are applied, respectfully of context, to Praga- North in order to propose a new direction for regeneration.