The development of small towns and towns of well-being: Current trends, 30 years after the change in the political system, based on the Warsaw suburban area

Contemporary urban development is evolving towards towns with good social capital, where good living conditions are key. The article aims to define the directions of transformation of small towns in Poland following the political transformation (i.e. over the last 30 years), while also looking at how these transformations may affect the living conditions in these towns. The article uses theoretical, empirical and cartographic research methods, taking into account the evolution of the analysed areas. It looks into whether the analysed towns are compact, have diverse functions, sustainable public transport and adequate public green space. The collected data were used to calculate the growth of urbanised areas and to record changes in their spatial layout. Aspects important for the well-being of residents of small Polish towns were pointed out. A key prerequisite for the development of soft towns and towns of well-being is the creation of 15–30-minute towns, in which housing and multifunctional services are all accessible within walking distance or by public transport to all inhabitants. The results of the study allow the development opportunities and threats to be specified not only for small towns in Poland, but also for towns of a similar size in Eastern Europe with a converging historical context.