In search of a new role? Village leaders of urbanizing suburban areas of Wrocław

Abstract

The article takes up the issue of social role fulfilled by village leaders in rural communities in the vicinity of Wrocław which are under the strong influence of the process of suburbanization. First of all, social and demographic profiles of village leaders were analyzed, especially the fact whether they belonged to the group of newcomers or the group of “old” inhabitants. It was also important to determine the categories of motives for taking up the role of leaders and their most important achievements to-date. The main focus of the research was on the issue of social disintegration of suburban communities and on the question whether village leaders were aware of it and, if so, whether they tried to take any remedial measures. The reason for social disintegration is the conflict between the newcomers and the old inhabitants attributable to differences in the ways of life that are determined by dissimilar systems of values. The stimulation of social capital and active attitudes of inhabitants is recognized as the most effective remedy to this situation. The most serious obstacles are the insufficient flow of information and the dominant character of division of inhabitants into newcomers and old residents. Possible remedies can be indicated: e.g. the creation of new planes of co-operation going across the preserved division, attention focused on children as the main beneficiaries of the undertaken actions. The presented analysis is based on the data collected during interviews with village leaders in rural communities in the suburban areas of Wrocław.