Defris Partners: ÖSTSAM – Regional Development ... - WebNews

The Results of Analyses within the Activity „Determinants
of services and business development”
The scope of activities
The analyses which were carried out have resulted in 9 thematic booklets devoted to:
the description of the settlement network, providing services to local residents,
demographic issues, entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture, spatial management,
cultural heritage, the position of BTMA against other Polish MA’s. Some of the issues
analysed are accompanied with branch thematic maps, scale 1:50 000.
Yet another result of the analyses is a synthetic map concerning socio-economic issues
(1:50 000).
The above-mentioned materials were utilised in their entirety for the creation of the
study phase (diagnosis of preconditions) of the Plan of Development and Spatial
Management of Bydgoszcz-Toruń Metropolitan Area.
Considering the most vital issues (those having a crucial impact on further
development of BTMA) the following – most important – preconditions were identified:
The Results: demographic preconditions
As far as demographics is concerned, the suburban areas of Bydgoszcz and Toruń are
classic examples of highly-urbanised areas, and the cities of Bydgoszcz and Toruń
themselves undergo a typical-of-large-cities processes of ageing of the population.
The population of Bydgoszcz and Toruń is slowly yet consistently decreasing. The
number of inhabitants at the post-productive age is larger, while the number of
inhabitants at the pre-productive age against the total number of inhabitants is
dramatically lower (a decrease of 16% within a 4-year span).
Table. The changes in number of population in particular age groups between 2000-04
City
Pre-productive
group
Productive
group
Postproductive
group
Pre-productive
group
Productive
group
Postproductive
group
Change expressed in numbers Change expressed in percentage
Bydgoszcz -12833 2154 3238 -16,1 0,9 5,6
Toruń -7777 3693 2168 -16,9 2,7 7,9
Source: Own work based on data from the Statistical Office in Bydgoszcz and from GUS (General Statistical
Office).
The suburban areas are rather attractive migration destinations for a great number of
people including those living in Bydgoszcz and Toruń up do date. As a result the
population in many communes within the period of 4 years increased by more than
10%, and in two communes – by more than 20%. Another point worth mentioning is
the fact that in other rural areas of the voivodship, the population is stagnant or
decreasing. Thus, it is evident that the BTMA area stands out from the remaining
territory in the matter of the character and intensity of migration processes. The
people flowing into the suburban communes are predominantly well educated, of
better-than-average financial status and socially active.
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