ASPECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE SHAPING OF SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR USERS. POLAND, THE NETHERLANDS.

Background The publication presents the results of a comparative analysis of the problem of environmental protection as it pertains to residential architecture. The study was performed on a group of users of residential projects in Poland and the Netherlands. The two countries are at a different level in terms of the level of knowledge regarding sustainable development and the design of sustainable residential projects. Poland is not at an equal level to the Netherlands. This is mainly because of ineffective education on this field in our country. The presentation of a comparative analysis of matters related to environmental protection in the scope of the shaping of individual residential projects and a discussion of its results is the paper's goal. Methods The paper features the use of a focus group, the statistical method and a critical analysis of available sources. A survey has been performed on a focus group that included residential project users from Poland and the Netherlands, in addition to an analysis and evaluation of knowledge and interest in the problems of environmental protection in the shaping of individual places of residence. Results for Poland and the Netherlands were subjected to critical analysis, which served as a basis for the formulation of conclusions. Results The study indicates that the knowledge of the citizens of the Netherlands about environmental protection in the shaping of individual residential projects is substantial, while that of the Polish respondents' is much lower. There is also a problem with access to comprehensive information and help on the subject for both real estate developers and individual users who declare a willingness to build in accordance with the tenets of sustainable development in Poland, with the situation being much better in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, interest in environmental protection as a part of sustainable development is increasing. There is a willingness to broaden one's knowledge in this field in Dutch society. The comparative analysis that is presented in this article regarding Poland and the Netherlands shows that the declarations and expectations of respondents in terms of environmental protection in the shaping of one's own residential projects is varied in the two countries, although in some areas this degree is quite small. Conclusion Knowledge of sustainable development and design, as well as on the aspect of environmental protection is insufficient in Poland. Polish residential project users require help in being provided with access to proper information. There is also a necessity for the actions of all the participants of the property development process to be coordinated. In the Netherlands, academic facilities and educational centres, as well as authorities, consulting firms, banks, civil engineering teams and the future users of sustainable residential developments cooperate with each other, which aids the development of sustainable residential architecture. The future users themselves are able to assert themselves as equal partners in this process thanks to a comprehensively tailored education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]