Kształtowanie przestrzeni transportowej polskich miast a społeczna odpowiedzialność samorządów. Próba krytycznej analizy

The idea of social responsibility in state management points out a role of local governments in the process of meeting the needs of the inhabitants in a sustainable way. This means that a compromise between different interests (referring to social and environmental needs) have to be found. In reference to transport, it stresses a necessity to reduce a dominant role of private cars in the cities because of the negative consequences of automotive development, e.g. traffic congestion and air pollution. Thus, the idea of transport sustainability – based on social responsibility – tries to popularize alternative ways of traveling (such as walking, cycling or public transport) and shows interests of different groups: not only the drivers but also the users of another types of transport. Moreover, it gives priority to the most effective way of transportation (which allows to carry the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time). The article tries to describe the transport policy of Polish cities. It compares the transport sustainability model with legal acts or strategies of local states on the one hand, and their real practices on the other. The author presents the examples of two Polish cities: Cracow and Wrocław, and shows a partial success of the investments which are officially carried out according to the idea of sustainable transportation. The text also includes scientific and popular scientific discourse which presents more details about the successes and failures of local transport policy in the cities.