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This article of a theoretical and conceptual nature seeks to indicate possibilities for the dualisms applied in sociology to gain incorporation into the conceptualisation and operationalisation of the research on socio-economic development that geographers pursue. These dualisms should prove useful in explaining the mechanisms of social change as the driving force behind development. The article emphasises the role of structure and agency in explaining development mechanisms, proposes the pursuit of research at several levels simultaneously in line with sociology's methodological dualisms, and also supplies examples of dichotomous categorisations and social structures that help with the understanding of development mechanisms. The incorporation of sociological dualisms into geographical considerations of development can bring new perspective to the design of research, triangulation (combining different methods of analysis) and conclusion-drawing. The result will be a readier challenge of geographers' propensity to formulate deterministic dependences and perceive development factors as fully controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to identify different visions and expectations of the citizens and the local government regarding the development of their suburban space, which are a source of potential spatial conflicts. It discusses contradictory interests of all the people living in the suburban area, certain groups of inhabitants, and local authorities. The paper characterizes different types of conflicts, including spatial ones. The conflicts in the suburbs are generated by a desire to keep the suburban character of the place of residence, the primacy of property rights and individual interests over collective ones, and excessive development ambitions of local authorities. Considerations on spatial conflicts in a suburban zone are illustrated by the results of two surveys carried out in the Lesznowola municipality near Warsaw, one on a representative sample of residents throughout the whole municipality (394 persons), and the other on a representative sample of residents of Mysiadło (305 people). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The municipality (gmina) of Piaseczno, located directly adjacent to Warsaw, was one of the local authority areas that began from the 1990s onwards to take advantage of their proximity to a large city, as well as various beneficial environmental aspects, with a view to stimulating housing development. These are areas in which people seek a natural environment offering peace and quiet, but also lower real-estate prices. The decisions Warsaw residents take as regards migration have also been shaped by the places familiar to them from the point of view of recreation and weekend leisure (the Kabacki Woods, Chojnowski Landscape Park, etc.). However, the dynamic increase in numbers of new residents (not just from Warsaw), had rapid negative consequences harmful to the original attractiveness of the area, since levels of noise and congestion increased, excessive pressure was imposed on the environment and - most troublesome of all - there was continued underdevelopment of both road infrastructure and public transport between Piaseczno and Warsaw. A survey conducted on a representative sample of residents of the gmina of Piaseczno showed that, as a decision to change place of residence was being taken, less importance that expected was attached to ease of travel to Warsaw or other place of employment, availability of places of leisure and recreation, proximity to schools and shops, etc. The underdevelopment of infrastructure is considered the most major problem by the residents of Piaseczno, who are functionally dependent on Warsaw to a considerable degree. All of this is a source of frustration, especially for young people, for whom Warsaw looks more and more attractive. When asked whether young people seeking to become independent would like to move out of Piaseczno, most respondents (respectively 20 and 34.1%) chose the answer "rather" or "definitely" YES. As many as 32.3% want to live in Warsaw. In summary, the consequence of the functional fusion of the municipality of Piaseczno and Warsaw's Capital City area - one of the manifestations of suburbanization - is the desire on the part of young people to move where it is easier to function every day, and where there attractions are much more diverse. In this situation, proximity to Warsaw is one of the reasons why in Piaseczno can be referred to in terms of a development trap based around that very proximity, which was the initial driving force behind development, and may now serve as a push factor in the case of the very residents considered to be of greatest value where the prospects for development of the municipality are concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]