JAKOŚĆ ŻYCIA NA ŁÓDZKICH OSIEDLACH

Statement that nowadays differentiation of social structure is followed by differentiation of spatial structure sounds like cliché. In post-socialist towns those structures are not as clear and readable as in other parts of the world where free market mechanisms and social preferences can shape the space of the settlement structure (compare Castells, 1984). As G. W cławowicz (2003) writes the level of spatial segregation in Polish cities is very low. Since 50’ of the last century block of flats estates were certain melting pots of people from various social groups. Shortly after political change in 1989 they have become the synonym of degradation and, potentially, they could be the first areas where citizens’ “separation” occurred. These speculations were the impulse for conducting researches in Łód . The main aim was to asses the citizens’ quality of live level. Since this factor is treated as the crucial indicator in segregation process. Consequently people who lived in blocks of flats became the subjects of the study. The quality of life and its determinants were the subject of research. Selection of areas which were explored was based upon J. Dzieciuchowicz (2002) classification of Łód housing space. It let to choose spaces of the same urban structure and technical infrastructure. The basic method used in study was self- -administrated questionnaire. Sample size was 1 032 respondents. Additionally some observations were conducted.