Marek Degórski

Abstract

The analysis of the state of geography in Poland between 2014 and 2019, supplemented by previous research, highlights the increasing disciplinary distinctiveness of geography within the Polish scientific system. Despite the ongoing transformations in the organisation and management of science, the development of geography continues to be shaped both by internal scientific trends and by external socio‑political factors.

After World War II, geography in Poland maintained a multidisciplinary profile, integrating physical and socio‑economic geography under a common organisational structure. However, post‑1990 reforms gradually introduced a dual‑area model of development, and recent years (after 2018) have seen increasing tendencies toward organisational separation between physical and socio‑economic geography. This process of disintegration, observed across many disciplines, has also affected geography, raising concerns about the need for reintegration around regional geography as a synthesis, grounded in solid methodological and subject‑matter foundations.

The diagnosis was based on a survey conducted among 15 geographical centers, of which 10 centers submitting complete responses. These data are considered representative for evaluating the state of geography in Poland. The survey covered aspects such as organizational structure, research directions, publishing activity, staff composition, and participation in research projects and scientific organisations.

The organizational structure of geographical units has undergone substantial changes compared to the previous period (2009‑2013). As of 2019, among the 10 centers, there were 6 independent faculties, 9 institutes, 31 departments, 49 divisions, 50 laboratories, and 15 field stations. A notable feature is the marked decline in the number of field stations, which may negatively impact field‑based research and education, essential components of geographical studies.

Employment trends between 2014 and 2019 show a modest overall increase in the number of scientific staff. However, a detailed analysis reveals important shifts: while the number of full professors rose modestly, a more dynamic growth was observed in the number of habilitated doctors, whereas the number of doctoral degree holders slightly decreased. The distribution of staff remains uneven among centers, with the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań employing the highest number of researchers. This highlights the importance of promoting greater staff mobility and creating opportunities for the employment of young academics across different centers.

Research directions across centers show considerable thematic diversity, both in physical and socio‑economic geography. Physical geography research continues to focus on contemporary geomorphological processes, palaeogeography, climatology, bioclimatology, and palaeoecology. Socio‑economic geography, meanwhile, addresses regional transformations, rural change, and spatial organization processes. However, the absence of clearly identified research priorities constitutes a notable weakness, pointing to the need for developing more synthetic and interdisciplinary studies.

The dissemination of research results remains an important aspect of academic activity. The number of journals published by geographical centers has decreased slightly, a trend seen as positive, since an excessive number of journals often leads to a dilution of quality. Concentrating efforts on fewer, higher‑impact journals would enhance the international visibility of Polish geography.

Scientific productivity, measured in the number of publications, varied significantly across centers. Poznań and Kraków (Jagiellonian University) achieved the highest outputs. A detailed analysis of the publication structure shows some centers focusing predominantly on physical geography, while others leaned towards socio‑economic topics. This differentiation often reflects the internal staffing structure of the centers.

Participation in national and international research programs is another indicator of scientific activity. Between 2014 and 2019, 74% of projects were nationally funded, although the share of international projects has increased compared to earlier periods. Centers such as the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Jagiellonian University exhibited particularly strong research engagement, with the latter excelling in international project participation.

The presence of Polish geographers in governing bodies of scientific organizations also remains strong, particularly among researchers from Poznań and Wrocław. Nevertheless, compared to earlier periods, no significant increase in such involvement was recorded.

The analysis concludes with several recommendations: there is a pressing need to clearly define the disciplinary identity of geography within the broader system of Earth sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. This requires promoting methodological development, enhancing the use of GIS methods, increasing student fieldwork opportunities, supporting student scientific associations, and strengthening links with European research networks.

Despite many challenges, Polish geography continues to demonstrate significant research potential. The dynamic development of GIS‑based methodologies, the growing number of publications in international journals, and successful participation in national and international research programs affirm the discipline’s evolving role in the modern scientific landscape. However, continued efforts are required to reintegrate the field, to foster higher standards in doctoral research, and to strengthen the overall academic standing of geography within both national and global contexts.

Keywords: geography in Poland, science system, geographical centers, staff structure, research directions

Andrzej Kostrzewski [andrzej.kostrzewski@amu.edu.pl], Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Nauk Geograficznych i Geologicznych
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Maciej Jędrusik [m.jedrusik@uw.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Warszawski, Wydział Geografii i Studiów Regionalnych
Kazimierz Krzemień [kazimierz.krzemien@uj.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Wydział Geografii i Geologii
Andrzej Lisowski [alisowski@uw.edu.pl], Uniwersytet Warszawski, Wydział Geografii i Studiów Regionalnych
Mikołaj Majewski [mikolaj.majewski@amu.edu.pl], Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wydział Nauk Geograficznych i Geologicznych

Citation

APA: Kostrzewski, A., Degórski, M., Jędrusik, M., Krzemień, K., Lisowski, A., & Majewski, M. (2025). Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.. Przegląd Geograficzny, 97(4), 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
MLA: Kostrzewski, Andrzej, et al. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 4, 2025, pp. 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
Chicago: Kostrzewski, Andrzej, Degórski, Marek, Jędrusik, Maciej, Krzemień, Kazimierz, Lisowski, Andrzej, and Majewski, Mikołaj. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny 97, no. 4 (2025): 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5
Harvard: Kostrzewski, A., Degórski, M., Jędrusik, M., Krzemień, K., Lisowski, A., & Majewski, M. 2025. "Diagnoza stanu geografii w Polsce w drugiej dekadzie XXI w.". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 97, no. 4, pp. 447-462. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2025.4.5

Abstract

Celem artykułu jest określenie płaszczyzn problemowo-przedmiotowych dotyczących ujmowania perspektywy prawnej w dyscyplinie geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna. Dla potrzeb realizacji tego celu najpierw wskazano ogólne relacje występujące między naukami geograficznymi i prawnymi. Następnie wyodrębniono i przedstawiono kluczowe nurty teoretyczne, które ułatwiają doprecyzowanie roli wymiaru prawnego w geografii społeczno-ekonomicznej i gospodarce przestrzennej, akcentując i charakteryzując przede wszystkim podejście instytucjonalne i geografię prawną. Następnie wyodrębniono najbardziej istotne tematy, w których występuje związek między wymiarem prawnym a geografią społeczno-ekonomiczną i gospodarką przestrzenną. W kolejnym kroku wyodrębniono dwie grupy zagadnień: te, w których wymiar prawny jest już w literaturze dostrzegany oraz te, w których wymiar prawny nie jest zauważany lub występuje w znikomym stopniu. Do wszystkich wyodrębnionych ten sposób zagadnień dostosowano te gałęzie prawa, które w najszerszym zakresie są z nimi powiązane. Najczęściej powoływaną w tym kontekście gałęzią prawa okazało się prawo administracyjne. W ostatniej części artykułu podjęto próbę określenia kluczowych kierunków przyszłych badań i dyskusji naukowej.

Keywords: geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna, prawo, geografia prawna, podejście instytucjonalne, planowanie przestrzenne

Maciej J. Nowak [macnowak@zut.edu.pl], West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Faculty of Economics, Department of Real Estate Żołnierska 47, 71-210 Szczecin: Poland
Przemysław Śleszyński [psleszyn@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Paweł Churski [pawel.churski@amu.edu.pl], Faculty of Human Geography and Planning Adam Mickiewicz University Bogumiła Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań: Poland, Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Tomasz Komornicki [t.komorn@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Science Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw Poland; Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning Polish Academy of Sciences Palace of Culture and Science, 1, 00-901 Plac Defilad, Warsaw: Poland
Iwona Sagan [iwona.sagan@ug.edu.pl], Department of Economic Geography, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography University of Gdańsk Bażyńskiego 4, 80-309 Gdańsk: Poland
Tadeusz Stryjakiewicz [tadek@amu.edu.pl], Adam Mickiewicz University. Poznań. Poland

Citation

APA: Nowak, M., Śleszyński, P., Churski, P., Degórski, M., Komornicki, T., Sagan, I., & Stryjakiewicz, T. (2023). Wymiar prawny w dyscyplinie geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna. Podstawy teoretyczne i zagadnienia badawcze. Przegląd Geograficzny, 95(4), 343-367. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.4.1
MLA: Nowak, Maciej J., et al. "Wymiar prawny w dyscyplinie geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna. Podstawy teoretyczne i zagadnienia badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 95, no. 4, 2023, pp. 343-367. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.4.1
Chicago: Nowak, Maciej J., Śleszyński, Przemysław, Churski, Paweł, Degórski, Marek, Komornicki, Tomasz, Sagan, Iwona, and Stryjakiewicz, Tadeusz. "Wymiar prawny w dyscyplinie geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna. Podstawy teoretyczne i zagadnienia badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny 95, no. 4 (2023): 343-367. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.4.1
Harvard: Nowak, M., Śleszyński, P., Churski, P., Degórski, M., Komornicki, T., Sagan, I., & Stryjakiewicz, T. 2023. "Wymiar prawny w dyscyplinie geografia społeczno-ekonomiczna i gospodarka przestrzenna. Podstawy teoretyczne i zagadnienia badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 95, no. 4, pp. 343-367. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.4.1

Abstract

The concept of ecosystem services can contribute to improving the quality of life in cities, but it has to be operationalized before being implemented in spatial planning. The study aim is to present methodological solutions to assess and map urban ecosystem services on a nationwide scale, including methods for constructing and characterizing indicators. The selected examples cover all three sections from the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES): provisioning, regulating and cultural, as well as the three most frequently assessed aspects of services: potential, use and unmet demand. Sample indicators were calculated for all 20 functional urban areas (FUAs) with the metropolitan status in Poland, i.e. with population >250,000: as a whole and broken down into city core and commuting zone.

In the first example, the subject of the measurement was the potential of metropolitan areas for food production, and the proposed indicator was the share of land intended for agricultural production, both plant and animal. It was assumed that land intended for agricultural production is all agricultural land, which, according to the definition of the Central Statistical Office, consists of: arable land, gardens, permanent crops, including orchards, meadows and pastures, and other agricultural land. The area of agricultural land in total and per capita is considered as one of the most important indicators of food security. Statistical data from the Central Statistical Office, aggregated to the level of communes (local administrative units – LAU), was used in the calculations. Indicator values ranged from 41.8% (FUA Katowice) to 75.7% (FUA Lublin) for the entire metropolitan areas. For the FUA cores values ranged from 16.2% (Bydgoszcz) to 66.8% (Łódź). As for the FUA commuting zones, the lowest value was recorded in the vicinity of Olsztyn (44.1%), and the highest around Lublin (77.6%). Differences between the cores (on average 32.8%) and commuting zones (on average 60.2%) were statistically significant.

In the second example, the subject of the measurement was the use of trees to clean the air from anthropogenic particulate matter (PM) in metropolitan areas, and the indicator of using this service was the number of trees per person. PM contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. It was assumed that the more people there are in a given area, the greater is the production of particulate matter of anthropogenic origin, and therefore more trees are needed to reduce the concentration of these pollutants in the air. We used the Tree Cover Density layer from Copernicus Land Monitoring Service, map of individual trees for Warsaw obtained from the city hall and commune-level population data from the Central Statistical Office in the calculations. Indicator values ranged from 21 (FUA Radom) to 157 (FUA Olsztyn) for entire metropolitan areas. For FUA cores, the values ranged from 3 (for Rzeszów) to 11.5 (for Bielsko-Biała). As for the FUA commuting zone, the lowest number of trees per person was recorded in the vicinity of Katowice (48), and by far the highest around Olsztyn (440). The number of trees per person is definitely lower in the cores compared to the rest of the FUA, on average by as much as 123 trees per person.

In the third example, the subject of the measurement was the unmet demand for nature-based recreation in metropolitan areas, and the indicator was the share of residential area located more than 300 m from areas >2 ha dedicated to nature-based recreation (urban green spaces, outdoor sports and recreational facilities, forests, grasslands, and waters). Indicator values ranged from 6% to 42% in 20 selected cities (FUA cores). The lowest values (6-8%), reflecting the lowest level of unmet demand, were recorded in Olsztyn, Toruń, Szczecin, and the highest (42%) in Częstochowa and Rzeszów. Outside of FUA cores, levels of unmet demand for nature-based recreation in larger green spaces (> 2 ha) were higher (18-55%). However, the commuting zone is dominated by single-family housing with small-scale private greenery, and this is where local residents usually practice nature-based recreation, so the level of overall unmet demand for nature-based recreation is most probably not that high there.

The indicators described in this article were used primarily to present the research procedure, but the obtained results provide the basis for at least a general characteristics of Polish FUAs and their comparison with each other, as well as with other European FUAs. Significant differences in the values of indicators show that nationwide mapping and assessment of urban ecosystem services can be of great value when comparing urban centers and the quality of life of their inhabitants, as well as when drawing up urban development strategies.

The presented methodological solutions are scalable and can also be applied to supra-national, including pan-European studies. Furthermore, with the adoption of smaller mapping units and less aggregated source data, the presented approach can also be used for finer scale analyses, e.g. at the city or neighborhood scale

Keywords: ecosystem services, urban ecosystems, functional urban areas, assessing and mapping, indicators, Poland

Andrzej Affek [a.affek@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Anna Kowalska [aniak@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Edyta Regulska [eregulska@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Jerzy Solon [j.solon@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Bożena Degórska [bodego@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Jacek Wolski [j.wolski@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN

Citation

APA: Affek, A., Kowalska, A., Regulska, E., Solon, J., Degórska, B., Wolski, J., & Degórski, M. (2023). Mapowanie i ocena usług ekosystemów miejskich w skali ogólnopolskiej. Przegląd Geograficzny, 95(2), 163-186. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.2.3
MLA: Affek, Andrzej, et al. "Mapowanie i ocena usług ekosystemów miejskich w skali ogólnopolskiej". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 95, no. 2, 2023, pp. 163-186. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.2.3
Chicago: Affek, Andrzej, Kowalska, Anna, Regulska, Edyta, Solon, Jerzy, Degórska, Bożena, Wolski, Jacek, and Degórski, Marek. "Mapowanie i ocena usług ekosystemów miejskich w skali ogólnopolskiej". Przegląd Geograficzny 95, no. 2 (2023): 163-186. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.2.3
Harvard: Affek, A., Kowalska, A., Regulska, E., Solon, J., Degórska, B., Wolski, J., & Degórski, M. 2023. "Mapowanie i ocena usług ekosystemów miejskich w skali ogólnopolskiej". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 95, no. 2, pp. 163-186. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2023.2.3

Abstract

The aim of this theoretical work is to systemize and synthesize selected issues related to the approach to landscape. Presented here are: 1) selected holistic approaches to the cultural landscape, with particular attention paid to the added value of the current approach; 2) the rationale behind the devastated landscape being assigned to a separate category, rather than considered under the “cultural landscape” heading – and the essence of the associated typological separateness, as a logical inference from the interaction of the anthropogenic and natural systems in the formation of landscape properties, which emphasises the disappearance of cultural patterns as a devastated landscape is created; 3) an outline of research themes pertaining to landscape connectivity and permeability, as well as inter-penetration, with parallel depiction of substantive premises underpinning a somewhat different treatment of these properties. Given the progressive withdrawal of the term natural landscape, and also taking account of the category of cultural landscape and the level of anthropogenic pressure, the authors propose the division of the landscape into 3 categories: primary, cultural and devastated. This denotes an intentional separation and distinguishing of the devastated landscape, with the addition of this category justified in terms of the disappearance of cultural patterns that the formation of such a landscape entails.

Keywords: krajobraz kulturowy, holizm, relacje człowiek-krajobraz, łączność krajobrazu, przepuszczalność krajobrazu

Bożena Degórska [bodego@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN
Marek Degórski [m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. S. Leszczyckiego PAN

Citation

APA: Degórska, B., & Degórski, M. (2019). Całościowe ujęcie krajobrazu, wybrane podejścia i problemy badawcze. Przegląd Geograficzny, 91(3), 325-347. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2019.3.2
MLA: Degórska, Bożena, and Degórski, Marek. "Całościowe ujęcie krajobrazu, wybrane podejścia i problemy badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 91, no. 3, 2019, pp. 325-347. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2019.3.2
Chicago: Degórska, Bożena, and Degórski, Marek. "Całościowe ujęcie krajobrazu, wybrane podejścia i problemy badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny 91, no. 3 (2019): 325-347. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2019.3.2
Harvard: Degórska, B., & Degórski, M. 2019. "Całościowe ujęcie krajobrazu, wybrane podejścia i problemy badawcze". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 91, no. 3, pp. 325-347. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2019.3.2