Analysis of transformations in the spatial structure of Silesian Park and the state of conservation protection

Patrycja Czubaj

doi:10.37190/arc250306

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of transformations in the spatial structure of Silesian Park and evaluates the current state of conservation protection. The research examines the historical development and contemporary changes in one of Poland’s most significant park complexes, addressing both the evolution of its spatial organization and the challenges of preserving its heritage values in the face of modern development pressures.

2025

3(83)

Patrycja Czubaj*

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure

of Silesian Park and its conservation status

DOI: 10.37190/arc250306

Published in open access. CC BY NC ND license

Abstract

The uniqueness of the Voivodeship Park of Culture and Recreation lies in the convergence of many factors that make it an unparalleled element

of Silesian history, urban planning, and culture.

The aim of the study is an in-depth analysis of the state of preservation of the compositional values of Silesian Park, a diagnosis of the condition

of architectural objects/structures, artistic details, garden layouts, and the entire spatial arrangement of the park, as well as an assessment of the eec-

tiveness of the conservation protection measures that have been applied in this area. The motivation for undertaking this work was the desire to save

the park from further transformations, most of which are irreversible in nature.

The conducted research revealed a high level of integrity between the current state of the overall spatial composition of the park and its original

design, while simultaneously showing a signicant degree of degradation of the architectural fabric. This degradation will worsen without appropri-

ate steps towards the conservation protection of the entire complex. This phenomenon is largely due to the insucient and ineective conservation

protection of the site.

Key words: Silesian Park, Voivodeship Park of Culture and Recreation, Chorzów, urban park, degradation, cultural heritage protection

Introduction

After the end of World War II, Poland faced the enor-

mous challenge of rebuilding its devastated infrastructure

and economy. Upper Silesia became one of the country’s

key industrial centers. The dynamic development of min-

ing, metallurgy, and heavy industry in the region triggered

rapid urbanization. The number of people migrating to Up-

per Silesia in search of employment increased sharply, and

growing areas of land were allocated for mines, steelworks,

and industrial plants. In response to these challenges, during

the 1950s and 1960s, the Polish United Workers’ Party

(Polska Zjednoczona Partia Robotnicza, PZPR) undertook

eorts to improve the living conditions of residents by cre-

ating urban parks – more specically, so-called “people’s

parks” [parki ludowe]

. It was within this initiative that the

* ORCID: 0009-0007-1142-7623. Faculty of Architecture, Sile-

sian University of Technology, Poland, e-mail: patrycja.czubaj@polsl.pl

People’s park – a type of public park established from the 19

century onward, intended as a place of Sunday leisure for the lower so -

Voivodeship Park of Culture and Recreation (Wojewódz-

ki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku, WPKiW) in Chorzów was

established – at the time, the largest people’s park and the

most extensive recreational development in Poland

cial classes, providing them with fresh air, contact with nature, phy si cal

activity, entertainment, and elements of education. Over time, how ever,

the function and programming of such parks evolved under the in uence

of totalitarian ideologies (e.g., culture and recreation parks in communist

states) (Encyklopedia PWN n.d.).

For comparison, it is worth mentioning other similar initiatives

in Poland: the older People’s Park named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski

in Łódź (also known as the Park na Zdrowiu), established in 1924, as

well as the people’s parks in Lublin and Bydgoszcz, the construction

of which, like that of Silesian Park, began in the 1950s. The purpose

behind the creation of these sites was consistent with the idea guiding the

establishment of Silesian Park: to create spaces for leisure and recreation

for urban residents. The park in Łódź bears the greatest resemblance to

the Upper Silesian complex: covering an area of approximately 190 ha,

it features similar attractions such as a zoo, thematic gardens (botanical

and Jordan-style gardens), an amusement park, the “Fala” swimming

complex, playgrounds, small water bodies, monuments, and more. In

contrast, the parks in Bydgoszcz and Lublin are much smaller in scale:

60 Patrycja Czubaj

Naturally, the creation of the Voivodeship Park of Cul-

ture and Recreation (WPKiW) was not motivated solely

by concern for the well-being of Silesian residents. The

development of such large-scale recreational complexes

played a signicant role as tool of communist propaganda.

These investments were presented as evidence of the suc-

cess of the socialist model of national development. They

also served to construct a positive image of the commu-

nist authorities, both local and central, by showcasing their

alleged concern for citizens’ well-being and quality of life.

The creation of the WPKiW may also be interpreted as an-

embodiment of the ideals of equality and universal access

to culture and recreation – values that aligned seamlessly

with the communist narrative. It is no coincidence that at

the park’s main entrance stood pylons engraved with two

articles of the Constitution of the Polish People’s Republic.

The site designated for the park’s construction posed

sig nicant challenges – not only was it vast (600 ha), but

proximately three-quarters of the area consisted of post-in-

dustrial wastelands: former mining heaps, illegal mine shafts,

small agricultural plots, landlls, and swamps (Busz man,

Respondek 2016).

In 1951, the Park Construction Committee was estab-

lished, headed by the project’s originator – General Jerzy

Ziętek. This marked the ocial beginning of the park’s de-

velopment, carried out largely by Silesians through volun-

tary civic labour.

only 31 ha (originally, now reduced to 23) and 6,5 ha, respectively,

which also makes them more limited in terms of programmatic elements

(Kamiński, Jaraszkiewicz 2015).

Today, the park is considered an exceptionally valuable

spatial and architectural complex; however, it faces in-

creasing degradation and the threat of ongoing decline.

Subject and aim of the study

The study focuses on Silesian Park, which is currently

located within the administrative boundaries of the city of

Chorzów (Fig. 1), although it is often more closely associ-

ated with Katowice

. Silesian Park is undeniably the most

signicant urban green space in Upper Silesia and one of

the most distinctive of its kind in Europe. According to the

park’s ocial website, it currently covers an area of 535 ha

(“Park w liczbach”, Park Śląski n.d.), making it one of the

largest urban parks on the continent. To provide a scale of

comparison, some of the world’s most iconic urban parks

can be mentioned – Hyde Park in London (159 ha) and Cen-

tral Park in New York City (341 ha). Combined, their total

area is still smaller than the area of Silesian Park.

The aim of this study is to analyze the current condition

of the compositional values of Silesian Park and to assess

the alignment of the overall spatial layout with its original

design, as well as to evaluate the eectiveness of existing

conservation protection measures. The motivation behind

this work is the desire to save the park from further transfor-

mations, most of which are irreversible. As of June 2024

no documents exist to support a decision to grant the park

comprehensive, area-based conservation protection. The

rst and fundamental step in this direction is to analyze the

extent of degradation of the Silesian Park’s structure, to de-

termine the degree of loss of its authenticity and integrity in

relation to the original design, and to examine the existing

forms of conservation protection and their eectiveness, so

that the park can survive as part of the Upper Silesian cul-

tural, historical, and natural heritage.

Methods

The work was conducted in 2023–2024 in three main

stages:

1. Analysis of existing research and a review of avail-

able sources, as well as planning and strategic documents

related to Silesian Park.

In situ investigations, including the delimitation of the

study area, photographic and cartographic inventory, along

When the decision to create the WPKiW was made, the land legally

belonged to the city limits of Katowice. This changed in 1967, when, pursuant

to the Regulation of the Council of Ministers concerning the alteration of

the city boundaries of Chorzów and Katowice, the WPKiW territory was

transferred in exchange for the land needed to build the “Tysiąclecia” housing

estate (Rozporządzenie Rady Ministrów… 1967).

Author’s update (2025): Pursuant to Resolution No. XVI/187/2025 of

the Chorzów City Council dated 24 April 2025, concerning the initiation of work

on the establishment of a cultural park in Chorzów under the name “Silesian

Park – Cultural Park”, steps have been taken to place Silesian Park under

conservation protection. This initiative was undertaken, among other reasons,

based on consultations with the author of this article and Professor Magdalena

Żmudzińska-Nowak (supervisor of the author’s master thesis), as well as

the presentation of her master’s thesis entitled Studium architektoniczno-

konserwatorskie Parku Śląskiego [Architectural and Conservation Study of

Silesian Park], which provided the foundation for this publication.

Fig. 1. Location of Silesian Park in relation to cities:

Chorzów, Katowice and Siemianowice Śląskie

(elaborated by P. Czubaj, based on Google Maps, 2024)

Il. 1. Lokalizacja Parku Śląskiego względem Chorzowa, Katowic

i Siemianowic Śląskich

(oprac. P. Czubaj, na podstawie Google Maps, 2024)

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure of Silesian Park and its conservation status 61

with functional analyses and an assessment of the condition

of the area and the existing complexes, architectural struc-

tures, and small-scale architecture.

3. Analysis of the collected materials and conclusions,

including the stratigraphy of the park area and its evalua-

tion, as well as an assessment of the legal protection status

in the light of applicable regulations.

State of research

Most of the bibliographic entries concerning Silesian

ark consist of collections of photographs of the site from

various years, accompanied by brief, anecdotal descriptions

of events that took place there. However, such publications

do not provide any new information regarding the spatial

layout, architecture, or development of the park. There are

few scholarly studies addressing the park in a scientic man-

ner.

The most important among them are:

– Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku w Chorzowie

(Park Śląski) – Historia obiektu, kompozycja przestrzen-

na [The Voivodeship Park of Culture and Recreation in

Chorzów (Silesian Park) – history and spatial composition]

– which present a simplied history of the site and its spa-

tial development, as well as describe the general spatial

structure of the tree stand (Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz, Łu-

kaszkiewicz and Wiśniewski 2016),

– To, co zrobiłem to nie jest nic wielkiego [What I did is

nothing signicant] – discussing part of Jerzy Gottfried’s

architectural legacy, including structures within the park

(Syska 2017),

– Przyczyny wyburzenia wieży warzywno-ogrodniczej

Othmana Ruthnera w Wojewódzkim Parku Kultury i Wy-

poczynku w Chorzowie – utracone dziedzictwo innowacji

technicznej [The reasons for the demolition of the vegeta-

ble and garden Tower of Othmar Ruthner in the Woivod-

ship Park of Culture and Recreation in Chorzów - the lost

heritage of technical innovation] – describing the issues

related to one of the most iconic structures built within the

park (Kleszcz 2021),

– Park wielu pokoleń [The park of many generations]

– the rst presenting the history of six decades of the park’s

operation (Buszman, Respondek 2016),

– Park Śląski w Chorzowie. Projekty i realizacje z lat

1950–1989 [Silesian Park in Chorzów. Projects and Re-

alizations from 1950 to 1989] – describing the history of

the park’s creation, the design phases, urban planning and

architecture within the park, changes in its structure, and

compiling an extensive collection of archival materials re-

lated to projects in this area (Borowik 2020).

The authors of these publications address architectural

projects, land development, artistic details, and history;

however, they do not refer to the issues of transformations,

degradation, or conservation protection of Silesian Park

and its constituent elements.

The author of this article managed to access rich, pre-

viously unpublished source materials in the archives of

Silesian Park, including archival maps, architectural and

spatial planning designs, original descriptions, tree plant-

ing schemes, and plans for structures that were never built.

A valuable source of information was also the review of

local daily newspapers and industry magazines, such as

archival issues of the monthly journal of the Association

of Polish Architects, Architektura (1951–1989), Trybuna

Robotnicza (1949–1980), Dziennik Zachodni (1951–2014),

and Trybuna Śląska (1951–2003). Additionally, the author

collected planning and strategic documents related to the

subject of the study, as well as documentation concerning

objects/structures listed in the Voivodeship Register of Im

movable and Movable Monuments (including decisions of

the Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments regarding en-

tries to the register, object inventory cards, appeals against

the decisions, and decisions concerning the removal of ob-

jects from the register)

Results

In situ research

• Delimitation of the boundaries of Silesian Park

On maps of Silesian Park available online, its area is de-

ned as the territory enclosed by the following streets: Par-

kowa, Tadeusza Kościuszki, Siemianowicka (Chorzów),

Byt kowska, Agnieszki, Złota and Chorzowska (Katowice)

(Fig. 2).

However, there are areas that are not part of the park

– they are neither managed by the park authorities nor as-

signed to the administrative area of the city of Chorzów

(in which the entire territory of Silesian Park is located).

These areas should be excluded from park maps, but due

Documents obtained from the Voivodeship Conservator of Mo-

numents in Katowice: Decisions regarding listing of objects/structures

from the Silesian Park in the register of immovable monuments:

K-RD.5130.6.2012.KL, K-RD.5130.7.2012.AK, K-RD.5130.35.2016.PŚ,

K-RD.5140.103.2022.MB including appeals; Decisions regarding listing

of objects/structures from the Silesian Park in the register of movable

monuments: L.dz.PSOZ-53300/B/32/2/92, K-RD-KL/4150/19232/11/10,

K-RD-KL/4150/4182/2/10 and DOZ-OaiK-6700/1528/14-[ML/178/14].

Fig. 2. Map of the park (source: Śląska Organizacja Turystyczna n.d.)

Il. 2. Mapa parku (źródło: Śląska Organizacja Turystyczna n.d.)

62 Patrycja Czubaj

to simplications in the preparation of mostly schematic

maps, they are often articially included within the park’s

boundaries. The park area does not include the following

territories:

– the “Węzłowiec” housing estate (near Siemianowicka

Street),

– the “Kolonia Agnieszki” housing estate (near Bytkow-

ska Street),

– housing estates along Agnieszki Street,

– residential buildings along Tadeusza Kościuszki Street.

The actual park area is enclosed by the following streets:

Siemianowicka, Bytkowska, Agnieszki, Bukowa, Złota,

Cho rzow ska, Parkowa, Wycieczkowa Avenue, and Klono-

wa Avenue. The northwestern boundary line of the park is

not entirely clear and does not run along the street lines.

Between Parkowa Street and Wycieczkowa and Klonowa

Streets, the park boundary is formed by the borders of the

Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park and the “Elżbieta” Fam-

ily Allotment Gardens. The boundaries excluding the afore-

mentioned housing estates from the park area also do not

follow street lines precisely – they have been delineated

according to plot divisions (Fig. 3).

Silesian Park includes the areas of the Silesian Zoological

Garden, the Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park, and “Legen-

dia” Silesian Amusement Park (Fig. 3: Z, E, M). These

ar-

eas have been excluded from the scope of this study due to:

– their separate management structure,

– their distinct form and design,

– the nature of the activities conducted there.

• Inventory of the compositional layout of Silesian

Park, description of the natural environment

The inventory was carried out in the form of a map of

the area, indicating ve groups of elements:

– existing architectural structures and gardens – build-

ings, structures, landscape features, and themed gardens in

good technical condition, approved for use (or under con-

struction, renovation, or modernization),

– existing artistic accents – sculptures, sculpture ensem-

bles, and decorative small architecture,

– devastated buildings – in ruins or demolished – struc-

tures in poor technical condition, not approved for use, par-

tially or completely demolished,

– planned but unrealized structures – buildings, small

ar chitectural objects/structures, landscape features, and

themed areas for which projects were developed and con-

struction was planned but ultimately not realized,

– vacant structures without dened function or name

– architectural objects/structures for which no informa-

tion exists placing them within the park’s timeline, unused,

without a specic name or designated purpose.

The inventory map (Fig. 4) was created to compare the

current state of the park with the conceptual design and ar-

chival maps.

This study does not aim to analyze the greenery, but due

to the nature of the discussed space, it is not possible to

leave this aspect without comment. According to the au-

thors of the study Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku

w Chorzowie (Park Śląski) – historia obiektu, kompozycja

przestrzenna, two parts diering in spatial development

can be distinguished in the park (Fig. 5):

– Part A (intensive) with a rich program of uses and or-

ganized vegetation,

– Part B (extensive) with dense and compact tree stands

characterized by a high degree of species diversity and

mixing (Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz, Łukaszkiewicz and Wiś-

niewski 2016).

The trees in the park, thanks to careful organization, re-

present a wide range of species. The planting of trees was

main ly carried out through community involvement. Over -

all, approximately 3.5 million plants have been planted in

the park area, including 70 dierent species of trees and

shrubs. Initially, the area was aorested with pioneer plants

that grow quickly and are resistant to pollution. Later, more

rened species were added to diversify the park’s appear-

ance. Currently, the area covered by trees and shrubs is

about 260 ha, making it one of the largest collections of

this type in Upper Silesia. Among the exceptional places

related to the park’s vegetation, the Rosarium (the largest

garden of its kind in Poland, covering 7 ha) and the Peren-

nial Garden (a continuation of the former Alpinarium, now

covering 1.6 ha) should be particularly mentioned.

•

Landform

The topography of Silesian Park is clearly divided into

two areas diering signicantly in elevation: a hill in the

Fig. 3. Map of Silesian Park – its boundaries are marked in green,

with dashed lines indicating areas excluded from the study.

Z – Silesian Zoological Garden,

M – “Legendia” Silesian Amusement Park,

E – Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park

(elaborated by P. Czubaj, 2024; base maps: OpenStreetMap, Geoportal,

and the main cartographic map)

Il. 3. Mapa Parku Śląskiego – na zielono oznaczono jego granice,

linią przerywaną – obszary wyłączone z opracowania.

Z – Śląski Ogród Zoologiczny,

M – „Legendia” Śląskie Wesołe Miasteczko,

E – Górnośląski Park Etnograficzny

(oprac. P. Czubaj, 2024, podkład kartograficzny: Open Street Map,

Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure of Silesian Park and its conservation status 63

Fig. 4. Inventory of Silesian Park (elaborated by P. Czubaj, 2024; base maps: OpenStreetMap, Geoportal, and the main cartographic map)

Il. 4. Inwentaryzacja Parku Śląskiego (oprac. P. Czubaj, 2024, podkład kartograficzny: Open Street Map, Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

64 Patrycja Czubaj

central part (which houses, among others, the Silesian Plan-

etarium) and a much lower area surrounding the hill from

the southeast, south, west, and northwest sides (Fig. 6).

• Description of the general spatial and functional

organization of Silesian Park

Silesian Park can be described as a vast entertainment,

recreational, and leisure complex with a highly diverse

cha racter, function, and accessibility. Its layout is centered

around major infrastructural elements and attractions.

Functions carried out in this area include:

– entertainment – Silesian Stadium, “Legendia” Sile

sian Amusement Park, GKS sports eld,

– educational – Silesian Planetarium, Silesian Zoolog-

ical Garden, Children’s trac training center, Upper Sile-

sian Ethnographic Park, Silesian Sculpture Gallery,

– recreational and leisure – forested walking areas, the

Rosarium, General Jerzy Ziętek Promenade (Promena da

im. gen. Jerzego Ziętka), all park avenues, “Fala” swimming

com plex, Regatta Canal (under renovation), playgrounds,

– sports – municipal sports eld, training eld, “Budow-

lany” tennis courts, shooting range, skatepark near the

Children’s trac training center, bike path and roller-blade

track along General Jerzy Ziętek Promenade,

– service – all gastronomic points in the park,

– social – scouting center.

Analysis of collected materials

• Stratigraphic analysis of the layout – analysis

of transformations

In order to determine the sequence in which the lay-

ers of development were created and to assess the state of

preservation of the spatial composition of the area from the

moment the concept was devised to its present state, three

maps were compared: the conceptual map from 1952, the

map of the existing state in 1972, and the contemporary

map in two versions – a cartographic study and a recent

satellite image.

The compositional assumptions were based on the topo-

graphic conditions of the area and on the programmatic re-

quirements imposed on the designers by the Voivodeship

National Council and the Park Construction Committee.

The architectural and landscape composition was devel-

oped to maximise the emphasis on the site’s scenic qual-

ities. The main axes were closed by the towers and chim-

neys of the industrial plants and mines existing at that time

(Borowik 2020).

The compositional directions were based on two main

assumptions:

The central part of the park was designed on the slopes

of the hill dominating the area as the park’s woodland sec-

tion. At its summit, the Silesian Planetarium was located,

towering over both the park and its wider surroundings.

Paths in this area were laid out organically, in soft curves.

2. The programmatic elements were integrated into the

terrain surrounding the base of the hill. Paths and layouts in

this part of the park were designed in a regular, and in some

places geometric, manner. The compositional backbone was

a promenade running parallel to today’s Chorzowska Street,

intended to connect most of the park’s attractions (Niemiec,

Szpuner 1959).

Following the stratigraphic analysis (Fig. 7), two groups

of elements in the park’s fabric can be distinguished:

– elements preserved in the park’s layout from the con-

ceptual design to the present day,

– elements preserved in the park’s layout from the 1972

state to today.

The rst group of elements consists of structures, lay-

outs, and areas that were planned or already existed at the

Fig. 5. General spatial structure of the tree stand in Park Śląski

– status as of 2014; parts: A – intensive, B – extensive

(elaborated by P. Czubaj, based on Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz,

Łukaszkiewicz and Wiśniewski 2016, base maps: OpenStreetMap,

Geoportal, and the main cartographic map)

Il. 5. Ogólna struktura przestrzenna drzewostanu Parku Śląskiego

– stan na rok 2014; części: A – intensywna, B – ekstensywna

(rys. P. Czubaj, 2025, na podstawie Fortuna-Antoszkiewicz,

Łukaszkiewicz and Wiśniewski, 2016, podkład kartograficzny:

OpenStreetMap, Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

Fig. 6. Hypsometric map of Silesian Park

(elabroated by P. Czubaj, based on: Topographic maps)

Il. 6. Mapa hipsometryczna Parku Śląskiego

(oprac. P. Czubaj na podstawie Topographic maps)

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure of Silesian Park and its conservation status 65

conceptual design stage. They have retained their location,

function, and boundaries, but not necessarily their form. El-

ements that have been partially or completely trans formed

and require additional commentary not included in the gra-

phic section are:

– Silesian Stadium – despite complete transformation,

it has retained the shape planned in the concept,

– extension of the Promenade named after General Je-

rzy Ziętek – a bike path and roller-skating route have been

established parallel to the promenade,

– Regatta Canal and the island with bridges – currently

undergoing modernization,

– “Legendia” Silesian Amusement Park – similar to the

Silesian Zoological Garden, it has been transformed inter-

nally; the main gate has changed its form, but the size and

purpose of the area have not changed,

– sports areas near Bukowa Street – completely trans-

formed and partially privatized, but their function remains

unchanged.

The second group consists of structures, layouts, and ar-

eas that were not planned at the conceptual stage but were

created during later programmatic changes and existed in

the park in 1972. They have retained their location, func-

tion, and boundaries, but not necessarily their form. Ele-

ments that have been partially or completely transformed

and require additional commentary not included in the

graphic section are:

– Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park – internally trans-

formed and slightly enlarged,

– “Fala” swimming complex – the bathing facility was

demolished, and construction of a new facility with the

same function and building boundaries is ongoing,

– Large Meadow composition – a large portion of exhi-

bition facilities on its area was demolished, yet its strong

lay out based on an arc is still visible,

– “Budowlany” tennis courts – the facility was signi

cantly expanded,

– Japanese Garden concept – the original garden has

faded, but a new layout based on the same concept was

created in its place, designed completely dierently,

–

OPT and MTK areas

– mostly unused; some buildings

remain, and the area is separated from the rest of the park.

This division into two groups of elements is caused by

the abandonment of some projects planned at the concep-

tual stage even before their construction, and their replace-

ment with new functions and projects that appeared later.

•

Spatial composition analysis

The spatial composition of the park (Fig. 8) is divided

into two distinct parts. Their division corresponds exactly

to the division of greenery in the park (described earlier

Technical Progress Center (Ośrodek Postępu Technicznego, OPT)

a scientic and educational institution organizing exhibitions on various

topics within a complex of pavilions. Katowice International Fair (Mię-

dzy na ro dowe Targi Katowickie, MTK) – a defunct enterprise established

in 1992 on whose premises a construction disaster occurred on January

28, 2006.

Fig. 7. Stratigraphic analysis (elaborated by P. Czubaj, 2024; base maps: Open Street Map, Geoportal, and main cartographic map)

Il. 7. Analiza stratygraficzna (oprac. P. Czubaj, 2024, podkład kartograficzny: Open Street Map, Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

66 Patrycja Czubaj

in the section “Inventory of the Spatial Composition of

Silesian Park, Description of the Natural Environment”).

The forested part of the park does not have a distinct

com positional layout. The communication routes are laid

out organically, with gentle curves. It lacks strongly per-

ceptible elements of spatial composition, such as axes or

view openings. However, it is worth noting that these were

originally created in this part but were lost due to the lack

of maintenance of the tall greenery, which caused its ex-

cessive overgrowth. This area contains few buildings but

is rich in artistic details intended to create a specic accent

contrasting with the greenery.

The park part features clearly dened elements of spa-

tial composition. It is more built-up and architecturally and

spatially diverse – most of Silesian Park attractions are lo-

cated here, and the spatial structure and its urban elements

are clearly legible. Important elements for the spatial com-

position of this part are the view openings and panoramic

openings – these have been developed in the graphic sec-

tion.

Analysis of the current legal protection

of Silesian Park

Legal protection includes both direct conservation pro-

tection and provisions in planning documents related to

protection. Among the former, the following can be distin-

guished:

– The municipal register of monuments

The Oce of the Conservator of Monuments of the Cho -

rzów City Hall included a signicant number of architec-

tural structures, plastic details, and landscaping elements

of Silesian Park on the municipal register of monuments.

However, the list contains many elements that have been

demolished, transformed, and some of which cannot be

found either in the park’s fabric or in archival materials

from this area, which may suggest that the register has not

been updated for many years. Currently, the register in-

cludes 33 objects/structures, including already demolished

ones (e.g., the historic part of the Japanese Garden), trans-

formed ones (e.g., the “Łania” restaurant), and some that no

longer exist either in the park fabric or archival materials

(e.g., the “Na kwadracie” temple).

– The voivodeship register of immovable monuments

The structures listed in the Register of Immovable Mon-

uments maintained by the Voivodeship Conservator of

Monuments in Katowice are:

– The Exhibition Hall “Kapelusz” [Hat],

– The Silesian Planetarium,

– Pavilion C-G (Exhibition Pavilion of the Technical

Progress Center).

The building of the former “Parkowa” restaurant is cur-

rently (June 2024) not included in the register. The facility

has undergone several processes of inclusion and subsequent

removal from the list at the owner’s request. At the moment,

proceedings are ongoing regarding its re-entry on the list.

Fig. 8. Spatial composition analysis of Silesian Park

(elaborated by P. Czubaj, 2024, base maps: Open Street Map, Geoportal, and main cartographic map)

Il. 8. Analiza kompozycji przestrzennej Parku Śląskiego

(oprac. P. Czubaj, 2024, podkład kartograficzny: Open Street Map, Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure of Silesian Park and its conservation status 67

The entire area of Silesian Park has never been entered

into the voivodeship register of monuments.

– The voivodeship register of movable monuments

Most of the sculptural details (sculptures, their ensem-

bles, and other elements such as gates or temples) located

within Silesian Park have been entered into the Register of

Movable Monuments maintained by the Voivodeship Con-

servator of Monuments in Katowice. Currently, the register

includes 54 structures.

In the voivodeship’s strategic documents (Uchwała Sej-

mi ku Województwa Śląskiego 2012; 2016; 2020; 2022), the

importance of Silesian Park for the region is repeatedly em-

phasized; however, none of these documents contain specif-

ic legal regulations, protection systems, or support mech-

anisms for the park. The only documents that describe the

park area in more detail and impose legally binding rules are:

The Local Spatial Development Plan of the City of Chorzów

dated January 28, 2021, which denes general principles for

shaping the space related to the park. It divides the park into

areas of nature protection greenery, park-function greenery,

public services, cultural value protection, restrictions on

larger construction due to the occurrence of voids resulting

from shallow, permanent hard coal mining, ood hazard

zones, and sports and recreation services (Obwieszczenie

Rady Miasta Chorzów 2021) and the Local Spatial Devel-

opment Plan for the area within the Voivodeship Park of

Culture and Recreation named after Gen. Jerzy Ziętek S.A.,

near the Gen. Jerzy Ziętek Promenade, Main Avenue, and

Avenue of Stars dated June 24, 2021. This plan sets general

principles for shaping a small section of the park around the

Regatta Canal (Uchwała Rady Miasta Chorzów 2021).

Summary

Assessment of the overall preservation status

of the spatial composition of Silesian Park

The spatial composition principles formulated by Wła-

dysław Niemirski during the creation of the WPKiW con-

cept have largely been preserved. Despite the park’s contin-

ued development and the addition of elements not originally

planned in the program guidelines, the main structural

foundations of the design remain clear. The park’s layout is

still based on the division of the area into a forested part on

the hill in the central part of the layout, and programmatic

elements, attractions, and a more sparsely wooded area sur-

rounding the forested part. The core compositional element

connecting most program elements remains the General Je-

rzy Ziętek Promenade.

However, several elements have faded over time and

are less perceptible in the park’s fabric. The most signi-

cant change is the loss of dominance of the hill, and thus

the Silesian Planetarium, over the rest of the park. This is

caused by insucient maintenance of the vegetation in the

forested area, resulting in its uncontrolled growth. It now

obscures the entire hill along with the Planetarium, dimin-

ishing the prominence of this key feature over the park. Ad-

ditionally, this leads to the loss of clarity in the landscape

interiors and compositional axes in this part (Fortuna-An-

toszkiewicz, Łukaszkiewicz and Wiśniewski 2016).

Another important change compared to Niemirski’s con-

cept is the loss of direct connection between the main WPKiW

entrance and the “Tysiąclecie” housing estate, caused by the

development of Chorzowska Street and the tram line. The

main entrance function has been eectively taken over by

the entrance near the “Girae” sculpture. This is most likely

due to the location of the tram stop and underground passage

leading to the housing estate at this entrance.

Architectural and urban evaluation

of Silesian Park

The architectural evaluation was conducted in two stages.

The rst part involved an individual examination of all in-

ventoried architectural structures, gardens, and sculptural

details (existing, demolished, or in ruins) in terms of three

categories:

– state of preservation,

– conservation protection status,

– degree of transformation.

Next, a visualization was created, serving as a summary

and compilation of the conducted study. As a result, a map

showing the extent of transformations of all inventoried

structures was produced (Fig. 9).

Problematic elements within the spatial layout of Silesian

Park were identied as part of the evaluation process. These

were divided into non-cohesive elements on micro and mac-

ro scales, as well as areas requiring individual intervention.

Non-cohesive elements on the micro scale consist of struc-

tures that conict aesthetically or spatially with the historic

spatial composition or the historic layout of building com-

plexes (Welc-Jędrzejewska 2017). These structures most of-

ten dier in appearance from the park’s historic fabric. Their

additional infrastructure (such as garden terraces or waste

storage areas for restaurants) spreads in a way that causes

spatial chaos or disrupts the visual exposure of more import-

ant structures. Some facilities appear grotesque in form – for

example, the “Hawaii” restaurant or the “Dron” sculpture.

Non-cohesive elements on the macro scale are similar

structures but having an impact on the entire Silesian Park

area. This category includes the housing estates “Węzło-

wiec”, “Kolonia Agnieszki”, and the area along Agnieszki

Street, which lack clear boundaries separating them from

the park. This results in transitional zones treated as no-

man’s-land, where unauthorized constructions, informal al-

lotment gardens, and illegal waste dumping sites arise.

Areas requiring individual intervention are neglected

spaces, often remnants of demolished historic structures.

These areas are very unsightly, unlit, and sometimes even

dangerous. The most urgent problems to be addressed by the

park authorities appear along the boundary line between the

park and “Legendia” Silesian Amusement Park. These zones

resemble technical support area, which negatively aect the

park’s main axis – Promenada im. gen. Jerzego Ziętka.

Conservation protection status

of Silesian Park

A signicant problem aecting Silesian Park is the func-

tioning system of the municipal register of monuments and the

68 Patrycja Czubaj

Fig. 9. Architectural and urban evaluation

(elaborated by P. Czubaj, 2024;

base maps: Open Street Map, Geoportal, and main cartographic map)

Il. 9. Waloryzacja architektoniczno-urbanistyczna

(oprac. P. Czubaj, 2024, podkład kartograficzny: Open Street Map, Geoportal oraz mapa zasadnicza)

voivodeship-level register of monuments. Their imperfection

lies in the lack of a legal obligation to maintain the park in

good technical and aesthetic condition, combined with the

possibility of deregistration when the condition deteriorates.

This creates “facilitations” for owners who are mainly inter-

ested in the potential of the land on which the monument is

located, rather than the monument itself. With a suciently

long period of neglect, the given structure falls into ruin,

which ultimately becomes grounds for its removal from the

Symptoms of this phenomenon are clearly visible in

Silesian Park. Two buildings listed in the register are cur-

rently not allowed for use and no conservation or repair

works are being carried out on them – the “Kapelusz” Ex-

hibition Hall and the C-G Exhibition Pavilion (Fig. 10).

The latter building is in such poor technical condition that

expert evaluation showed it is impossible to restore the

building to its pre-damage state. As a result, the building

may be removed from the register and ultimately demol-

ished.

It is also worth mentioning the facilities whose protec-

tion has been carried out in the most proper manner, even

serving as examples for the rest of the park’s buildings and

the entire area.

In 2022, the complete renovation and expansion of the

Silesian Planetarium building, including the addition of

a new wing, was completed. The building retained its full

authenticity; the renovation respected every detail of the

historic structure, and the expansion was carried out in such

a way that it does not interfere with the original form of the

building’s volume.

The vast majority of sculptures within the park have

been repaired and restored, regaining their original appear

ance without any alteration to their forms. Several of them

have been relocated to new sites to highlight their aesthetic

value (as their previous locations became less frequented

by visitors, leading to the sculptures being neglected) and

to protect them from factors that had previously caused

their degradation.

These examples conrm that park structures can be

treated with appropriate respect and preservation of their

heritage, even if changes are needed due to the necessity

of expanding the program of the facility or changing its

function.

An important issue is also the municipal register of mo-

numents maintained by the Oce of the Conservator of

Monuments at the Chorzów City Hall – it raises questions

about the purpose of creating such a list if it is not kept up

to date.

Problems related to documents at the provincial, muni -

cipal, or city levels mainly result from the supercial na-

ture of the provisions contained therein. Most of these doc-

Analysis of the transformation of the spatial structure of Silesian Park and its conservation status 69

Fig. 10. Current condition: a) “Kapelusz” Exhibition Hall, b) exterior of the C-G Exhibition Pavilion, c) interior of the C-G Exhibition Pavilion

(photo by P. Czubaj, 2024)

Il. 10. Obecny stan: a) Hali Wystawowej “Kapelusz”, b) Pawilonu Wystawowego C-G na zewnątrz, c) Pawilonu Wystawowego C-G wewnątrz

(fot. P. Czubaj, 2024)

uments either do not address the topic of Silesian Park or

treat it very generally. These documents tend to focus more

on describing nature and monument protection in the form

of a set of principles concerning the entire area they cover.

They do not specify particular areas or structures nor im-

pose concrete legal requirements.

Although the main beneciaries of the park’s existence

are residents of three cities whose borders meet at the park’s

area, only Chorzów is responsible for its maintenance be-

cause the park lies within its boundaries. The lack of any

support from the neighbouring cities that border and use

the park is striking – especially in the case of Katowice,

which lists Silesian Park among its attractions in its ocial

documents.

The only documents that describe the park area in more

detail and impose legally binding rules are: the Local

Spatial Development Plan of the City of Chorzów dated

January 28, 2021 (Obwieszczenie Rady Miasta Chorzów

2021) and the Local Spatial Development Plan for the area

located within the Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczyn-

ku im. Gen. Jerzego Ziętka S.A., around the General Jerzy

Ziętek Promenade, Main Avenue, and Alei Gwiazd, dat-

ed June 24, 2021 (Uchwała Rady Miasta Chorzów 2021).

However, the rst document does not put sucient empha-

sis on the conservation protection of the spatial layout and

historically and culturally important structures within the

park, and the second concerns only a very small fragment

of its fabric.

The documents lack the imposition of a systemic pro-

tection that would limit chaotic and non-cohesive devel-

opment and prohibit the expansion of private spaces that

do not belong to the park but which, through uncontrolled

growth, gradually reduce its area step by step.

The urgent problem of lacking a protection system is

highlighted by recent events in the Silesian Park – in the

area of the former Technical Progress Center (OPT), sold

to a private investor, about 1,200 trees were cut down de

spite protests from residents and park supporters (Świer-

czek 2024).

Conclusions

The conducted research shows a high level of consisten-

cy between the current overall spatial composition of Sile-

sian Park and its original design assumptions. However,

a high degree of degradation can be observed in the archi-

tectural structure of the park’s components, which ultimate-

ly aects the perception of the entire spatial layout. Without

taking steps to halt further decay of the architectural fabric,

this problem will deepen.

Stratigraphic analysis reveals that changes occur more

frequently in the form and use of the buildings rather than

in their function.

Progressive degradation, disintegration

of the composition, and destruction of architectural struc-

tures lead to the loss of the historical, cultural, and aesthetic

values of the entire complex, as well as to further changes in

the structure – such as the sale of additional park lands and

the emergence of new developments, which are not neces-

sarily needed or appropriate for this space.

The state of conservation protection has long been in-

sucient and ineective. However, following the Chorzów

City Council’s Resolution No. XVI/187/2025 initiating the

establishment of Silesian Park as a cultural park (Uchwała

Rady Miasta Chorzów 2025), steps are now being taken to

place it under area-wide conservation protection, oering

a real chance for a positive outcome and the faithful pres-

ervation of the park’s original conceptual design, which re-

ects the best practices in green space management. The

research conducted may be used in further conservation

analyses and the preparation of eective guidelines for pro-

tecting this valuable area.

Silesian Park is a testament to history and constitutes

a unique element of Silesian cultural heritage. It is of ut-

most importance to maintain it in the best possible condi-

tion, both as a symbol of the times for future generations

and as a green island in an increasingly urbanized region.

This park is not only about attractions, buildings, avenues,

or trees – it is, above all, about the memories of countless

people, a sense of belonging, and social bonds.

cba

70 Patrycja Czubaj

Streszczenie

Analiza przekształceń struktury przestrzennej Parku Śląskiego oraz stanu ochrony konserwatorskiej

Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku to niepowtarzalny element śląskiej historii, urbanistyki oraz kultury. Celem opracowania jest analiza stanu

zachowania wartości kompozycyjnych Parku Śląskiego oraz diagnoza zgodności całości układu przestrzennego parku z pierwotnymi założeniami, a tak-

że ocena skuteczności dotychczasowych form ochrony konserwatorskiej, która pojawia się na tym obszarze. Motywacją do podjęcia niniejszej pracy

była chęć ratowania parku przed dalszymi przekształceniami, z których większość ma charakter nieodwracalny.

Przeprowadzone badania wykazały wysoki poziom integralności obecnego stanu ogólnej kompozycji przestrzennej parku z jego oryginalnymi za-

łożeniami przy jednocześnie daleko posuniętym stopniu degradacji tkanki architektonicznej, co może się pogłębiać przy braku podjęcia odpowiednich

kroków w kierunku ochrony konserwatorskiej całego założenia. Zjawisko to jest w większości spowodowane niewystarczającą i nieskuteczną ochroną

konserwatorską obiektu.

Słowa kluczowe: Park Śląski, Wojewódzki Park Kultury i Wypoczynku, Chorzów, park miejski, degradacja, ochrona dziedzictwa kulturowego

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