Industrial and commercial suburbanization in post-socialist city: the Kraków Metropolitan Area (Poland)

Abstract

The subject of this paper is the issue of urban sprawling in the Kraków Metropolitan Area (Poland). Particular attention is paid on the changing role of industry as one of the key elements of development and metropolization of cities in post-socialist, emerging economies. The role of the industry in terms of activation of labor resources has been diminishing, which is connected to the automation of manufacturing processes and relocations of labor-intensive activities to regions with lower production costs. However, the industry, particularly hightech manufacturing, plays a significant role in stimulating research and development sector and generate innovations as a key component of the knowledge-based economy. The innovative industrial companies are one of the most important elements of the structure of metropolitan cities. The analysis of this process is based on data on employment and the operation of selected industrial companies, with particular emphasis on their shift from the city to the suburbs. The process of decentralization of high-order producer services, cultural services as well as advanced informational services is one of the most important features of modern urban areas and has been identified by many researchers.