The Role of Rivers in Building the Image of a Sustainable City: Evidence from Szczecin (Poland)

The study presented in this article explores the changing significance of the river and its impact on shaping the city’s image, using the example of the relationship between the Oder River and the city of Szczecin. The main objective was to examine how the Oder influences Szczecin’s image in the context of sustainable development. The research was based on a historical-interpretative method, employing the analysis of over three thousand postcards depicting the riverside areas of Szczecin from a period of approximately 170 years (1850–2024). The quantitative analysis of postcards was supplemented with an analysis of semantic networks. This approach made it possible to verify how representations of the river on historical postcards reflect the evolution of Szczecin’s urban identity and its connection with the idea of sustainability. The study identified the dominant meanings of the river in different historical periods, as well as characteristic views and distinctive landmarks. This allowed for an assessment of how the Oder was perceived and how these perceptions shaped the city’s image. The results indicate that Szczecin’s image has evolved over time, yet it has always remained rooted in its relationship with the river, dependent on how the Oder was perceived and valued. Today, the river represents not only an essential element of the city’s landscape and cultural identity but also a key component of its contemporary image as a sustainable city. The study contributes to understanding how riverfront imagery shapes perceptions of urban sustainability.