EN
The purpose of his paper is to evaluate changes in land use in consequence of introducing rules of free market economy. Krakow was selected as object of research, because industrial production was main economic activity during socialist times and industrial land had highest share of developed land. The research concentrated on the urban block (spatial unit limited by streets or other clear distinction lines), located over 1 kilometer from Main Market – and one of 26 selected in 1980s industrial and warehouse areas of Krakow. Author used data collected by himself during site surveys: one in 1983 while preparing doctoral thesis and the second in 2011 for the purpose of this paper. The surveys allowed for analysis of land use changes in time span of 30 years. As the result of conducted research, fundamental changes in the structure of land use in selected urban block were observed. Extensively used industrial land was replaced by land used for services such as: administration, shopping, recreation or high standard residential developments. Communication areas gained on significance – mainly private transportation and also increased share of recreational green areas. The functionality of areas, where such changes and developments are observed, remind of theoretical models of sustainable urban areas.