Public space in postsocialist and postindustrial city, the new role of private and public actors

"In the socialist city public space played not only socio-economic but also political role. The authorities controlled and monitored this kind of area and used it for own purposes. The impact of transformation changes resulted in fact that public space lost its political function, it began to be seen as anyones. The process of its appropriation by private parties had started. The disappearance of public squares, parks, playgrounds, street closures by developers raises concerns about the consequences of diminishing public space and questions about the role of local authorities in relation to the creation and supervision of this space. This article aims to identify factors that contribute to appropriation of public space by private actors and potential stimulants for creating a new public space in case of brownfield regeneration. The authors seek to answer the questions about the new role of both public and private actors examining the socio-economic and urban changes in the 750-thousand post-industrial city in Poland. ""