Rola Obserwatorium Procesów Miejskich i Metropolitalnych w procesie tworzenia Górnośląsko‑Zagłębiowskiej Metropolii : od deficytu wiedzy do oczekiwań wobec nowej instytucji

Abstract

The article presents the chosen results of the research conducted between November 2016 and January 2017 among the councilors and presidents of cities forming the Metropolitan Association of Upper Silesia. The aim of the research was to identify the needs and deficits of knowledge of local government units in their functioning in the Upper Silesian metropolitan area, as well as the tasks that may be carried out by the Observatory of Urban and Metropolitan Processes — a unit established at the University of Silesia in Katowice. The plans (currently implemented) for the creation of the “Górnośląsko‑Zagłębiowska Metropolia” (Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis) have become a direct impulse for the research. The article also reviews the theoretical considerations relating to the metropolitan area, referring to the specificity of the discussed metropolis.