Courtyards of Krakow’s old town: greenery in the context of improving the housing environment

The purpose of this study was to diagnose the characteristics and quality of greenery, its contemporary uses and share inside the town blocks in Krakow’s city centre. This identified potential for introducing new forms of greenery into the courtyards and assess the ecosystem services they perform. The analyses featured several stages, involving both the study of historical changes and the identification of contemporary conditions. Based on the data collected, calculations of potential ecosystem services were made. Research has shown that courtyards are very diverse and heterogeneous in terms of ownership status, size and availability of users. This causes differences in the quality of greenery. The study indicate that there is potential for greenery to have a positive effect on improving air quality, lowering temperatures and improving psychosocial conditions. In order to preserve cultural heritage and the place-based identity, a list of plant species proposed for the area was compiled. The findings can serve as guidelines for the preservation and shaping of courtyards in the centre of Krakow. They can also form the basis for further research into improving the quality of the urban environment.