Greenery in urban space as a factor in building the attractiveness of Wrocław – results of a survey among students of the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business

Abstract

Today, cities, especially large and rapidly developing ones, are attracting new residents. The reasons for this process are diverse, as are people’s choices about where to live and which cities they find attractive. This article focuses on the importance of greenery in building the attractiveness of a large city for residents and other users, with particular emphasis on young adults. As the case study was chosen Wrocław. The primary research method was a diagnostic survey using a survey technique. The study was conducted among students of Real Estate and Spatial Management at the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. The conducted survey – summarizing the attitudes, views and observations of respondents – allows to notice that: the attractiveness of urban space is created by many important factors, including green infrastructure. The results showed that the degree of saturation with urban greenery generates moderate satisfaction and is expected to increase. The need for further greening of Wrocław, especially the city center, including the Market Square and its surroundings, was particularly highlighted. It was assessed that urban greenery adequately fulfils social and economic functions, but insufficiently fulfils ecological ones.

Greening cities is an objective necessity in the context of implementing the concept of sustainable development. Importantly, however, greenery contributes to a city’s attractiveness and can become a lasting competitive advantage in attracting new residents and retaining existing ones, with particular emphasis on educated young people who want to participate in the city’s development.