ABSTRACT
This chapter explains how the evolution of the social mobilization has affected changes in the physical urban environment as well as a shift in the political field of urban policy. The interests of urban movement activists are often hyper-local, linked to specific spatial or social conflicts, yet these activists also draw inspiration and frame their actions using global concepts of "right to the city", "urban democracy", and "spatial justice". Economic transformations, mobility, and demographic shifts have brought about some significant changes in the social structure of Polish cities in recent decades: there is now a growing group of urban residents who are aware how other cities in Europe and beyond are governed. The budgetary crisis leads to a situation in which politicians and city administrators become increasingly willing to share responsibility for difficult decisions with citizens, as well as involve them in social services delivery.
