Hotele jako element przestrzeni miejskiej

Abstract

In many European cities and town first examples of hotel concentration on particular areas was observed in 17th and 18th centuries. In 19th and 20th centuries in almost every large city in Europe and North America (later in Asia and South America too) were districts with high concentration of hotels, guest- -houses and other accommodation facilities. By geographers and planners hotel is a positive element of urban space. In many cases it is perceived as factor which support local economy. Hotels have a great importance in urban regeneration projects, especially in inner city zone (see examples of Baltimore, Boston, Manchester, Glasgow). Hotels help to create high-quality environments which themselves will be attractive to tourists and other types of visitors (for instance businessmen, outer investors). Luxury hotels – as banks, company headquarters or tourist landmarks – provide a reason for visiting the city and also give a high profile to the city by providing a symbol of its success. Many cities are attempting to encourage the building of hotels in the downtown area (in other words – central business district, CBD) so as to assist the development of the tourist industry. The theories which describe above process are as follows: (1) central place theory, (2) economic base theory, (3) growth poles theory, and (4) land-use theory (or theory of the rent). According to growth poles theory (formulated by F. Perroux) hotel may be observed as a ‘tool’ to regeneration of urban space and to develop of city economy. Firstly, hotel is a kind of innovation (or industrie motrice) which is allocated in particular area of the city. Secondly, in relative short time, around it were opened restaurants and bars, shops, parking places etc. Thirdly, after few months or years, in the surrounding of hotel are built banks, business offices, cultural facilities, new luxury apartments (condominiums) etc. (industrie mue by F. Perroux). In perspective of urban development processes starting by allocation of the new hotel may be perceived as process of polarisation. In this perspective hotel is a growth pole (pôle de croissance) which has positive impact on urban space. After 1989 above process has been observed in Warsaw. During short time western part of the city centre (area on both sides of the John Paul II Avenue) has been transformed to new CBD with five- and four-stars hotels (managed by Marriott, Westin, InterContinental, Radisson, etc.), headquarters of the banks and global firms, elegant restaurants and bars, expensive shops and boutiques, clubs, as well as luxury apartments and modern flats.