The transformation of an urban community in conditions of rapid town development.

This paper will examine some aspects of the formation of new residential areas, taking as an example the experience of one Polish city. The city under discussion developed quite rapidly due to the construction of a new industrial plant and considerable subsequent immigration. Attention is focused on the problem of the integration of newcomers and existing inhabitants. The paper refers to the town-planners' aims: how they were formulated and what methods were used to achieve them, as well as their social effects. However, some important social phenomena occurred which were not a direct product of conscious action by town planners and decision-taking bodies and these will also be mentioned. The relationship between sociological research and social practice will also be examined. The paper treats cities as specific socio-spatial entities, thus it is assumed that any phenomenon within an organized urban area has its specific social consequences and all-important social phenomena are reflected in the ways in which space is used and in attitudes towards it. Moreover, it is taken for granted that if objective facts are important, they must be reflected in social consciousness. Conversely, opinions or stereotypes, which exist in social consciousness influence and even, hinder actions. These individual and group decisions or actions constitute the above-mentioned objective facts.