Abstract

The main aim of the paper is to examine the role of creative placemaking in shaping the urban environment in Polish cities. It also focuses on challenges and obstacles that creative placemaking projects encounter in Polish realities. Creative placemaking is a “micro-development” strategy (Johnson 2009) that focuses on cultural participation, com¬munity engagement and highlights the social role of arts and culture. Artistic interventions provide new perspectives that are not only aesthetic, but also connected with stimulating community involvement and influencing the vitality of space. These processes are also associated with revitalization through creative initiatives that animate places and spark economic development. In Poland, where creative placemaking initiative is a relatively young process, it is important to investigate the basis on which it should be implemented. Methods used in the research are based on multidisciplinary literature studies and analysis of the three case studies of Łodz, Warszawa and Katowice. The main goal of the research is to discuss problems regarding creative placemaking that occur in cities during a transformation phase. The findings of the research show that creative placemaking in Poland can strengthen community identity and the sense of place, as well as help revitalize local economies. Although it is now too soon to measure the long-term impact of creative placemaking in Polish cities, some first outcomes can be observed. In the case studies presented, art has notably become a tool of urban regeneration. Initially treated as an initiator of change – art has now become a main „actor” in the process of change. In this way art has transformed its role from passive to active

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