**Innovation in Urban Infrastructure for Development of Physical Culture: An Example of a Little Town in Poland**

**Wojciech J. Cynarski and Leszek Wo ´zniak**

#### **1. Introduction**

As Marc Louis (Louis 2009) stated: "By definition, sustainable development is based on the principle of intergenerational fairness. We must not make the earth uninhabitable for future generations. This also implies the idea of spatial fairness. Well-being must be shared by all, not only on a country-wide scale, but by the entire planet. Given the globalization of the economy, transportation and telecommunications, the world must actually now be considered a global village with the implication of an integration of levels of intervention and measures. In other words, the rule of 'think global—act local' should be applied."

Sustainable development in urban space concerns, among other things, the conditions for improving sports infrastructure, broadly understood, and tourism, in order to improve the physical culture and health culture of the inhabitants. Fitness clubs, rehabilitation centres, parks, swimming pools, gyms and other sport facilities put into concrete form the idea of the sport practice as a new right of citizenship extended to everybody. They meet the increasingly aware social needs. Therefore, "Sport in the City—Mobility, Urbanity and Social Change" was the subject of one of the EASS—the European Association for Sociology of Sport—conference (Evans et al. 2016; Cynarski 2016). This topic is interesting not only for sociologists, but also from the perspective of planning in urban space and management in physical culture.

On the basis of the theory of physical education and the theory of physical culture developed in Poland (Sniadecki 1805; Grabowski 1997; Pawłucki 2003; ´ Krawczyk 2005; Cynarski 2014), we include among the manifestations of physical culture: physical education, competitive sports, physical recreation (free time physical activity), active forms of tourism, rehabilitation and anti-aging, as well as traditional martial arts, which have their own specificity (Obody ´nski and Cynarski 2007; Cynarski et al. 2013). Research in the field of physical culture should take into account both man and his various needs, as well as natural and anthropogenic space, in particular urban space with appropriate infrastructure, including appropriate architecture (Obody ´nski and Cynarski 2003; cf. Park 1952; Cynarski 2005).

Adequate infrastructure enables the development of physical culture in its individual manifestations, but also the economic growth of a given area thanks to the development of tourism (Obody ´nski and Cynarski 2009). In tourism, cultural and natural values, active and passive forms, often intertwine. As such, they act most strongly and attract people to a more attractive destination (Munsters 2008; Obody ´nski 2008). The fact that people try to actively rest, that they combine cognitive goals with leisure time physical activity, and that they increasingly appreciate physical culture (not only the sport of performance and competition) is a visible tendency. This is explained by the concepts from half a century ago concerning the needs of rest and the philosophy of spending free time (Nash 1953). Relatively new, less known earlier forms of physical recreation and tourism motives (aqua aerobics, exotic dances, health *taijiquan* and *qigong* exercises, Asian martial arts) are becoming especially popular (Moegling 2006; Munsters and Melkert 2015).

Physical culture is a subsystem of a more general axionormative order. Z. Krawczyk defines it as follows: "Physical culture is a relatively integrated and established system of behaviors in the field of caring for physical development, mobility, health, beauty, bodily perfection and human expression, following the patterns adopted in a given community, as well as the results of these behavior" (Krawczyk 1995). What factors particularly encourage physical activity? These are in particular:


There are no studies on the functioning of small towns similar to Strzyz˙ów and the development of sports and tourist infrastructure there. The aim of the study is to present this very example.

#### **2. The Case of a Small Town**

In accordance with the principles of a single case study description (the qualitative method of single case study research, both the descriptive, interpretive and evaluative, e.g., by Skinner et al. 2015, pp. 116–33) (Skinner et al. 2015; Cynarski 2021), in adaptation of the issue discussed here, we present a description of the natural conditions, existing infrastructure and institutions operating in the area of free time—recreation, tourism, and rehabilitation in the discussed area.

This study is a case study of a small town (Figures 1–3). Strzyz˙ów on the Wisłok River was built in the 13th century (Cynarski 1980). It is a town in south-eastern Poland. It has only about 9000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the rural and urban commune and the *poviat starostwo*. The commune is mainly agricultural, services are developed, and there is a small processing industry. As in the case of other cities in the region, there was a gradual increase in the number of people and development in the city and commune c (Malikowski 1992; Kut 2007). Since 2010, there has been a noticeable decline in the population (depopulation) and aging of the population, which is a pan-European trend. Detailed figures can be found in the link attached here (Strzyzow n.d.). A nice location in the Strzy ˙ z˙ów foothills offers a chance for the development of tourism here, especially since the recreational infrastructure functions well here (Cynarski and Obody ´nski 2007a). The innovations applied here, at least as compared to the state before the political system changes, turned out to be effective. The town has become more attractive for tourists and for the inhabitants themselves. It also uses his natural conditions.

Natural conditions and fauna around Strzyz˙ów create an interesting landscape and microclimate. Strzyz˙ów is situated in a small valley surrounded by hills. The area is rich in numerous species of flora and fauna, so a landscape park has been established. "The Czarnorzecko-Strzyzowski Landscape Park protects ˙ the most valuable parts of the Strzyzowskie and Dynowskie Foothills, separated ˙ by the Wisłok gorge, making them available for study, tourism and leisure." (Czarnorzecko-Strzyzowski Park). The area of the Park is inhabited by 119 species ˙ of birds, including: roe deer, deer, wild boar, beaver, badger, otter, beech marten and pine marten. In addition, there is a natural, ecological farming, and ecological agritourism farms invite tourists. Together with the ecology of the landscape, it constitutes an excellent tourist and recreational potential (Wo ´zniak et al. 2005).

(**b**)

4 **Figure 1.** (**a**,**b**) The "Otylia" Recreation and Rehabilitation Centre and Indoor Swimming Pool in Strzyżów, April 2021. Source: Photos by W.J. Cynarski. **Figure 1.** (**a**,**b**) The "Otylia" Recreation and Rehabilitation Centre and Indoor Swimming Pool in Strzyz˙ów, April 2021. Source: Photos by W.J. Cynarski.

**Figure 2.** Fragment of the town—a small street. In the distance—hills and forest, Strzyżów, April 2021. Source: Photos by W.J. Cynarski. **Figure 2.** Fragment of the town—a small street. In the distance—hills and forest, Strzyz˙ów, April 2021. Source: Photo by W.J. Cynarski. **Figure 2.** Fragment of the town—a small street. In the distance—hills and forest, Strzyżów, April 2021. Source: Photos by W.J. Cynarski.

5 5 **Figure 3.** Trainers in a small park in Strzyżów, 2021. Source: Photo by W.J. Cynarski. **Figure 3.** Trainers in a small park in Strzyz˙ów, 2021. Source: Photo by W.J. Cynarski.

For 30–40 years, the sports tradition of Strzyz˙ów has been volleyball, played by school students, and—secondly—jujutsu. The sports infrastructure consists of two large sports halls at two school complexes, a sports stadium, the Recreation and Rehabilitation Centre and the "Otylia" Indoor Swimming Pool (Figure 1a,b), a complex of sports fields with a seasonal artificial ice rink, a ski slope with a Ski School, recreational and bicycle paths and the Regional Integration Sports Park and Recreation. The design of this park won the competition of the Podkarpackie Voivodeship for the development of sports and recreation infrastructure. Therefore, children, adolescents and adults can use this park from spring to autumn to spend time actively outdoors. There is a slope with ski lifts and an ice rink in the ground. However, the swimming pool and gyms, sports and recreation clubs—all year round. It is also possible to ride a horse at a nearby private stud farm.

Tourist (sightseeing) and bicycle routes run through the most interesting parts of the Strzyz˙ów commune. The most important are two hiking trails: (1) the green trail, which leads southwards from Strzyz˙ów through Godowa-Brzezanka, and enters ˙ the ridge of the Brzezanka Range, where the black hiking trail from Babica comes. ˙ Then, the green trail goes down to Bonarówka, from where it leads to the ruins of the Kamieniec castle in Odrzyko ´n; (2) the black trail leads from Babica, through Lubenia, Połomia Działy to Zarnowa. It descends through the fields to the Stobnica valley, ˙ and then, along a steep road, climbs the Brzezanki Range. There are complexes of ˙ educational and nature paths in the village of Ł ˛etownia. They are made up of a health path (1 km long) and a nature and educational path (2.5 km long). Another attraction of the Strzyz˙ów commune is the four bicycle paths (Strzyzow n.d.). ˙

Cultural tourism also has relatively large development opportunities here. In Strzyz˙ów there is a large shelter tunnel for a staff train built in World War II, a historic Catholic church from the 15th century, a synagogue and a Jewish cemetery, mansions, chapels, palace complexes, and the Self-government Museum of the Strzyz˙ów Land. The combination of attractions from the area of cultural tourism, recreational activities and natural conditions (forest areas on the hills surrounding the city) provide an interesting offer for both residents and tourists. The only limitation here is the lack of a well-developed hotel base. The *Development Strategy* referred to above does not provide for the construction of new facilities, but the maintenance of the existing ones.

It is worth adding that the city's advantage is civic activity. Many non-governmental organizations operate here, such as the Strzyzowska Land Lovers ˙ Society, Idokan Poland Association (Pawelec 2013; Kubala 2016), foundations, societies, sports clubs and other associations (over 30). Local authorities support

their activities, albeit to a different extent. They also distinguish the most active with symbolic prizes, motivating them to act even better. The lack of this activity and the possibility of useful free time activities would probably cause even greater frustration of young people due to limited employment and promotion opportunities in a small town. The apathy of the authorities (central and local) would pose a threat to the departure of young people and depopulation.

The problem of used innovations in terms of the development of tourism and other forms of using free time can be discussed in many types, especially in relation to eco-innovations. The decisive significance of the use for recreation in free time may be new distinguished categories of innovation, including eco-system innovations, including social ones.

System eco-innovations may mean an innovative variant of combining many, even commonly used, solutions into a new, unprecedented solution (system). System eco-innovations are defined as a whole set of various eco-innovations, which as a result create new (radical eco-innovations) or improved systems aimed at minimizing or eliminating the negative impact of existing solutions on the environment. A classic example of them can be various variants of green cities (O'Brien and Miedzi ´nski 2012).

R. Kemp and S. Pontoglio distinguish incremental (incremental) and radical innovations. Incremental eco-innovations concern minor modifications of products, processes (also systems—own attention of the authors), while radical eco-innovations lead to the necessity to break with existing competences and competences (Kemp and Pontoglio 2011).

The introduction of the entire eco-innovation system conducive to the development of sport and tourism allows for innovative practices of using free time. This is of particular importance in small towns, where apathy and discouragement resulting from the lack of adequate infrastructure often appear.

It can be noticed that the principles of defining and measuring innovation (including eco-innovation) (OECD and Eurostat 2018) provided in the basic EU handbook (guide) (OECD and Eurostat 2018) are subject to some erroneous simplification. The novelty is still important, and at the same time quality is important in eco-innovation, sometimes even meaning a return to traditional solutions, but in a new version. Something like that is the return to the ecological principles of spending free time, under conditions of the possibility of using eco-innovative infrastructure, e.g., in a place for spending free time, mainly by young people, in the form of computer games.

#### **3. Discussion**

The social basis of eco-innovation, apart from the aspects of environments, may mean their special role in creating a new quality of life. Practicing joyful sport fulfils one of the foundations conducive to happiness according to the concept used in Buthan for years, which is practicing the logic of measuring the so-called Gross National Happiness Index (Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Research 2016). It seems that the use of the concept of shaping and quality of life similar to the Buthan solutions, which becoming more and more popular in the world, may in the future be of great importance in the proper development of small towns in Poland, especially in the context of the actual shaping of quality of life.

Nature and natural heritage become areas of ecology teaching and appropriate upbringing. It is a landscape, a scene, an area for various activities, particularly for outdoor physical activity (PA), also as a cultural creation, because such areas are specially protected (Eichberg 2007). PA deals with both planning in urban space and management. This applies to the responsibility for the health of the society and responsible management of human resources as well as in the use of the existing urban infrastructure (Louis 2009), or also in areas outside the urban agglomeration. Of course, the management itself should be carried out in accordance with the highest standards and efficiently, from providing information to crisis management when needed (cf. Krupa 2002).

In the case of small towns, whether in Central Europe, in Eastern Europe or outside Europe, opportunities should only be sought for towns and the communities living in them (Niyazbekova et al. 2018; Pfaff et al. 2019). Sometimes, after years of plunder or communism, it is necessary to revitalize a given area with care for the preserved heritage (Doroz-Turek 2019). This is helped by investments supported by EU funds for the preservation of cultural heritage or for the development of sports and recreational infrastructure (cf. Nová and Strachová 2017). It can be assumed that the town and commune of Strzyz˙ów and the Strzyz˙ów poviat made good use of this opportunity.

In the literature on the subject, we find similar examples of the usually positive impact of investments in sports facilities or the development of localities thanks to sports tourism and enriched recreational opportunities (PA) (Wojtas-Hara ´n 2018; Garcia-Pascual et al. 2019). The social impact of a sports centre and a recreational or tourist base result from additional opportunities to improve the well-being of the inhabitants. At the same time, it is worth preserving the ecological, natural landscape and the natural surroundings of a given town. The new economy emphasizes

economic activities with simultaneous care for the well-being of man and the natural environment (Cynarski and Obody ´nski 2007b).

#### **4. Summary**

The physical culture infrastructure is functioning properly in the town of Strzyz˙ów. Two recreational parks with permanent trainers are constantly used by the elderly (anti-aging), mothers with children and other people of all ages. Cycling, cross-country, equestrian and skiing are developing, and hence sports conducted in open spaces. This serves in parallel social health, the growth of physical culture and the sustainable development of the commune. Other facilities built with EU funds also work well. This is a good example of using local opportunities in a provincial town that is threatened with youth departure and depopulation.

Further research should include monitoring of the situation in which the described infrastructure functions and the effectiveness of physical culture institutions in the area in question.

**Author Contributions:** conceptualization, W.J.C. and L.W.; methodology, W.J.C.; software, W.J.C.; validation, W.J.C. and L.W.; formal analysis, W.J.C.; investigation, W.J.C.; resources, W.J.C. and L.W.; data curation, W.J.C.; writing—original draft preparation, W.J.C.; writing—review and editing, L.W. and W.J.C.; visualization, W.J.C.; supervision, L.W.; project administration, W.J.C.; funding acquisition, W.J.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

#### **References**


© 2023 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
