[The possibility of fulfilling the needs of senior individuals through the activation of waterfront areas using mobile architectural-urban elements]. / Mozliwosc realizacji potrzeb osób w wieku senioralnym poprzez aktywizacje terenów nadwodnych z wykorzystaniem mobilnych elementów architektoniczno-urbanistycznych.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this article is to attempt to answer the question of how to enhance the fulfillment of needs for senior citizens residing in riverside cities. To achieve this, an attempt was made to develop the principles of a cohesive system that enables the activation of waterfront areas located in urbanized regions, often affected by a deficit of green spaces. The concept presented in this article is based on a consistent focus on architectural and urban design solutions that provide opportunities for functional enrichment of underutilized riverside areas for recreational purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on literature studies, field research, and design analysis, this article demonstrates the possibility of taking a structural approach to implementing changes in the utilization of green spaces located by the water in contemporary cities. Using the results of the analysis, an original system called the mobile architectural-urban elements (mobilne elementy architektoniczno-urbanistyczne - MEAU) was developed to activate the untapped potential of waterfront areas to meet the specific needs of senior citizens. RESULTS: The research objective outlined in the introduction led to the development of a solution based on the utilization of floating architecture for the establishment of services and amenities that enable comfortable and diverse leisure activities for the elderly. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the described approach aligns with the multidimensional vision of improving the well-being of users, as defined by the European Commission in the New European Bauhaus (NEB) program. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis conducted in this article allows for preliminary confirmation of the hypothesis that the specific needs of senior citizens can be fulfilled through the activation of waterfront areas using MEAU located on the water. Such actions not only activate existing resources but also align with the guidelines of the NEB idea, providing a coherent and applicable model with significant implementation potential for most waterfront cities. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(3):211-222.

[Layer based epidemiological quality assessment of architecture of care security and geriatric wards]. / Warstwowa ocena epidemiologiczna architektury zakladów opiekunczo-leczniczych i oddzialów geriatrycznych.

BACKGROUND: The article describes the potential use of an original model called the layered epidemiological assessment (warstwowa ocena epidemiologiczna - WOE) for assessing the potential risk of infections in facilities intended for elderly individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To verify the possibility of using the WOE method for assessing epidemiological safety hazards in the built environment, available literature sources related to the legal requirements in Poland regarding the assessment of medical facility ergonomics in terms of infection transmission were analyzed. The article also referred to the guidelines of the New European Bauhaus and the Baukultur Quality System as a standardized method for assessing the quality of the built environment. The article presents the fundamental assumption of the author's WOE method, which allows for the assessment of the risk of infection transmission separately for each component of a building. The effectiveness of the method was demonstrated by using it to assess the risk of infections in a geriatric ward room as an example. RESULTS: The article demonstrates that by employing the WOE, it is possible to clearly differentiate potential infection routes within the analyzed facilities and assign them to specific building components. Furthermore, by applying the presented method, it is possible to define necessary procedures and develop action plans to minimize the risk of infection spread within the analyzed properties. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the WOE for evaluating architectural solutions in facilities intended for the elderly offers several benefits. The WOE method presented in the article can serve as an expert tool for quick and precise assessment of potential epidemiological hazards. An important advantage of the WOE method is its ability to be used separately for different types of epidemiological hazards characterized by different routes of infection transmission. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(3):199-209.

[Hybrid use of the building as a method supporting epidemic safety]. / Hybrydowe wykorzystanie budynku jako metoda wspierajaca bezpieczenstwo epidemiczne.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changing organisational and technical requirements in the operation of treatment facilities. This paper summarises the available knowledge on the principles of hybrid design of the architecture of treatment units to ensure that different levels of sanitary and hygienic safeguards can be implemented. The basis of this narrative overview is an analysis of the existing Polish legislation on required personnel protection measures and the European Commission's recommendations for the long-term optimisation of building operating costs. In addition, due to the multifaceted and complex nature of the issue, the review was extended to include an example of practice in the technical adaptation of medical buildings for hybrid use in the event of a pandemic of an aetiological agent of risk category III, as a confirmation of the postulate regarding the need to modify the guidelines for the architectural design of the space of medical units, particularly those involved in the care of the elderly. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(3):269-278.