Symbiosis and Synergy of Smart Urban Places: The Case of Zwycięstwa Street in Gliwice, Poland

Marek Gachowski (), Łukasz Walusiak, Marcin Budziński, Tomasz Szulc and Lidia Wanik
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Marek Gachowski: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Applied Arts, Academy of Silesia, ul. Rolna 43, 40-555 Katowice, Poland
Łukasz Walusiak: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Applied Arts, Academy of Silesia, ul. Rolna 43, 40-555 Katowice, Poland
Marcin Budziński: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Academy of Silesia, ul. Rolna 43, 40-555 Katowice, Poland
Tomasz Szulc: Department of Logistics, Faculty of Organization and Management, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Roosevelta 26-28, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Lidia Wanik: Department of Civil Construction, Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Applied Arts, Academy of Silesia, ul. Rolna 43, 40-555 Katowice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-39

Abstract: Symbiosis and synergy among urban uses are key determinants of spatial quality, liveability, and resilience. While symbiosis denotes the coexistence of users and functions within specific places, synergy refers to the collective benefits emerging from their interaction. These dynamics are especially relevant in city centres and main streets, which serve as structural and social backbones of urban life. This article applies the SyM_SyN Method to Zwycięstwa Street in Gliwice, Poland, to assess the intensity and distribution of symbiotic and synergistic relations. The analysis identified significant spatial deficiencies that weaken the coherence and attractiveness of the street. The results demonstrate how a systematic, data-driven evaluation can expose hidden weaknesses in urban structures. Importantly, from the perspective of the smart city paradigm, liveability and responsiveness of urban spaces cannot be reduced to technology-driven systems of sensors and devices. They must also be understood in terms of human-scale interactions and the ability of urban form to support them. Beyond its methodological contribution, the study emphasises the practical implications for urban renewal: reinforcing positive interactions between adjacent uses enhances street vitality, improves social inclusiveness, and supports more sustainable development strategies. The SyM_SyN Method thus provides both an analytical framework and a decision-support tool for designing user-oriented, high-quality urban spaces within the broader smart and sustainable city paradigm.

Keywords: smart urban spaces; symbiosis and synergy; urban design; smart city (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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