Current Spatial Aspects of Demographic Differentiation and Urbanization Process in Poland (Pilot Study)

Abstract

The paper aims to analyze the balance between selected spatial demographic factors, i.e., elements of local demographic structure of population and intensity of urbanization process in Poland. Urbanization is currently perceived as an ambiguous process: people move to the metropolises (cities), but in turn, there is an observed decrease in fertility rates in urban areas. The hypothesis that rapidly urbanizing areas attract a cohort of young households at a fertile age is being investigated. It was assumed that there are specific regions that deviate from the general trend of an aging urban population. This would be reflected in the age distribution and higher fertility rate, especially in the settlement of selected growing urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of some cities. The sources of the data were the statistics of Poland (Polish CSO) at a certain given level of spatial (administrative) units (NUTS). As far as expected results are concerned, in the context of population characteristics and differentiation according to specific locations and geographical areas of Poland, our pilot study may have policy implications, such as the need for city planners to consider spatial variables in order to achieve the desired trade-off between meeting social needs and developing urban ecosystems in a sustainable manner. The starting point of the research methodology is a spatial matrix of correlations between selected demographic and urban process’ characteristics.