Analiza zabudowy historycznego centrum Katowic

The author has made the first attempt at an analysis of the built-over area of Katowice city centre where the largest number has been preserved o f buildings dating from the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The urban pattern — also dating from that time — has surv ived without any major deformations until this day and continues fully to exercise the city-centre functions. It refers to French rationalism (logical lay-out of the transport system) and English garden- cities. One o f the particularly interesting spatial solutions is that of closing the streets with an architectonic structure significant from compositional point of view. Preceding with her deliberation the author deals with the respective examples of stylistic form of architecture of the turn of the century and puts forward a number of postulates i.a. that for preservation of the functions exercised by the historical district so far with its adaptation to present-day requirements. What is also postulated for is a circular road around the central area, reconstruction of the system of green spaces, preparation o f a complete documentation for conservation purposes, modernization of the interiors of the historical tenement- houses. In the author’s opinion the streets of the city centre of Katowice should be restored to their genuine 19th century appearance and the district concerned imbued with the atmosphere typical of the period.