Single-family courtyard houses in Poland: conditions and perspectives for development based on the example of Krakow

Abstract Single-family courtyard houses, with spaces oriented towards an internal, private patio, became popular in Western Europe the 1960s and 1970s. In Poland, developments are infrequent were mostly built 1970s 1980s. This study aims to improve our understanding of their low popularity. Poles seem prefer traditional housing solutions, clearly favouring detached considered provide most comfort, privacy, safety. More than half country’s population lives such buildings, considerably more European average. suggests that planning conditions along land registry patterns fundamental barriers development housing. practice, they eliminate potential for building new complexes this type. a broader context, reinforce dominance traditional, less dense forms single-family development, primarily those development. paper posits there no favourable if be based on market fundamentals. Courtyard could, however, as period its inception popularity, become part extensive experiment, instance, national or regional pilot projects, contribute animation progression