open access - Page 2 of 57 - Mazovia Regional Studies

Community resilience in response to humanitarian and refugee crisis caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine – a case study of Polish border communities

Natalia Bełdyga

DOI: 10.21858/msr.se.2024.02

Vol. no: SE.2024

Since this study aim is to analyze the role of community resilience in response to crisis and uncertainty, two cases of community responses to an unprecedented refugee and humanitarian crisis caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 made by two Polish border communities from two corners of Poland, one in northeast, in a borderland area referred to as Suwałki Gap and second in southeast, in Biecz, referred to as “Little Cracow” have been studied. The main objective of this study is to gain knowledge of one of core dimensions of community resilience, namely agency which enhances adaptability on both individual and collective level, often referred to as the locus of control [Inglehart, Welzel 2009] as well as a pillar of community resilience and crucial element in the proactive phase of crisis cycle management, civil preparedness defined as the ability to sustain functions vital to society, ensuring basic supply and the State’s capacity to act in a crisis situation [Zekulic et al. 2017 in: Civil-Military Copperation Center of Excellence Info Sheet 2024] to see if they have enhanced community resilience in this response. For this purpose, on site and in person qualitative interviews have been conducted with research participants, from two interview groups of volunteers and community members who were privately and professionally involved in this response, namely in helping Ukrainian refugees arriving to Poland.The results demonstrate that refugee and humanitarian crisis caused by the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered communities’ agency to act and kept them united by the same aim – to respond to this unprecedented crisis by helping Ukrainian refugees. Those practical and hands-on experiences of both communities in response to crisis by helping another human being in need, very often and especially in the first weeks of the invasion, bottom-up and individually, with the use of all kinds of, often ad hoc, means, methods and various solutions, provide a solid civil preparedness ground on which community resilience could be built and strengthened.

MSR_se_2024_02_Beldyga Pobierz

ESG concepts in business practice. Characteristics and assessment of common ESG frameworks

Michał Wielechowski, Paweł Krasuski

DOI: 10.21858/msr.se.2024.01

Vol. no: SE.2024

Return to issue

Return to editions list

In today’s business environment, incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate strategies has evolved from being a marginal consideration to a core element of strategic planning. In the study, we characterize and assess ten widely recognized ESG frameworks. The selection of these frameworks is grounded in a literature review, complemented by an analysis of professional websites and forums that offer rankings of prevalent frameworks. Additionally, our own expertise in the field is used in this selection process. Our evaluation of ten key ESG frameworks reveals a spectrum of approaches to sustainability and responsibility. GRI and PRI are noted for their global scope, while SASB provides industry-specific insights but with limited scope. CDP and TCFD excel in environmental and climate aspects, respectively. IFRS Standards are developing a global reach, and IIRC focuses on integrating sustainability with financial reporting. PRI and UNGC are based on voluntary commitment, offering broad frameworks. CDSB and IIRC, while focused, encounter implementation challenges. IFC Performance Standards are comprehensive in project finance. Each framework, with its unique strengths and challenges, varies in global recognition, applicability, and stakeholder relevance, contributing differently to sustainable practices.

MSR_se_2024_01_Wielechowski_Krasuski Pobierz

„Toczna” – pierwszy rezerwat ichtiologiczny Mazowsza

Adam Kapler

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.06

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

MSR_49_06_Kapler-1 Pobierz

Community resilience in response to humanitarian and refugee crisis caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine – a case study of Polish border communities

Natalia Bełdyga

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.02

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

MSR_49_02_Beldyga-1 Pobierz

Implementation of the statutory competences of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship and changes in the transport sector over 25 years of self-government activity

Piotr Szpiega, Elżbieta Trzcińska

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.04

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

The article provides an overview of the transport policy of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship since its establishment in 1999. It discusses the statutory competences of the newly formed voivodeship in the field of transport development policy and its evolution over the years, illustrated in successive regional development strategies and spatial development plans. An integral part of this policy is also the development of public transport, primarily railway transport. This is the result of the activities of two railway companies: Masovian Railways and Warsaw Commuter Railway. The article depicts the development path of the companies towards modern rail passenger transport operators, involving new and modernized rolling stock and with efficient technical facilities. The article also discusses the activity of the manager of voivodeship roads, which through numerous road repairs and reconstructions, creates a road network suitable for servicing regional road traffic. In addition, the article highlights the increasing role of bicycle transport in the spatial policy of the voivodeship. An important factor facilitating the implementation of competences in the transport sector is EU funding, which has made it possible to create modern rail and road infrastructure, as well as to purchase and modernize rolling stock.

MSR_49_04_Szpiega_Trzcinska-1 Pobierz

A special element in the environment – interactions. Cultural landscape, its inalienable elements – open-air museum in Nowogród

Barbara Werner

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.03

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

The aim of the article is to demonstrate the complexity of the issue of valuing historical sites and to answer the nagging question: is the role of the ‘special element in the environment’ sufficiently recognized in the 21st century and what role do various organisations, including NGOs such as (Polish National Committee of International Council on Monuments and Sites), play?

MSR_49_03_Werner-1 Pobierz

Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square – a permanent feature in Warsaw’s urban space. From the palace courtyard to the surroundings of the Cathedral from the late 18th to the early 20th century

Anna Wieczorek, Magnolia Gorzelak

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.05

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

There are many publications on Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw and the surrounding buildings covering the history of the capital, as well as the history of architecture and urban planning. There are also substantial cartographic and iconographic resources available in museums and archives. An analysis of the source materials indicates a significant dispersion of information. There is a lack of a compendium on the origins of the Square, changes in its appearance, and the associated design concepts. These issues are the subject of a series of articles under the common Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square – a permanent feature in Warsaw’s urban space. This article, the second in the series, presents how the appearance of the Square changed from the late 18th to the early 20th century, transforming from the courtyard of the Saxon Palace into the surroundings of the Cathedral.

MSR_49_05_Wieczorek_Gorzelak-1 Pobierz

Financialisation of regions – can we talk about financialisation in a regional context?

Agata Gemzik-Salwach

DOI: 10.21858/msr.49.01

Vol. no: 49

Return to issue

Return to editions list

Financialisation refers to the increasing role of financial motives, markets, entities and institutions in transactions occurring in the national and international economy. The article includes consideration on whether financialisation can have a regional character. Its aim was to obtain an answer to this question and determine the usefulness of this knowledge.

MSR_49_01_Gemzik-Salwach-1 Pobierz

Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square – a permanent feature in Warsaw’s urban space. Genesis of Creation

Anna Wieczorek, Magnolia Gorzelak

DOI: 10.21858/msr.48.05

Vol. no: 48

Return to issue

Return to editions list

The Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw and the surrounding buildings can be read about in many books and articles on the history of the capital as well as the history of architecture and urban planning. There are also significant cartographic and iconographic resources in museums and archives. The analysis of the source materials indicates a large dispersion of information. There is a lack of a compendium of knowledge regarding the origins of the Square, changes in its appearance and related design thinking. These issues are addressed in a series of articles under the common title Marshall Józef Piłsudski Square – a permanent feature in Warsaw’s urban space. The aim of this article, the first in this series, is to outline the genesis of the Square and to explain the origins of the names Saxon Palace and Brühl Palace.

MSR_48_05_Wieczorek_Gorzelak-1 Pobierz