The article shows a few reflections resulting from research on perception of Silesian cities space
conducted by the authors. The research showed, that although citizens do see a number of central
space crisis symptoms (e.g. hypermarketisation, desacralisation, loss of residential functions), centres
still fulfil an import role and citizens appreciate the need of their existence. The research also showed,
that citizens perceiving and appreciating city space refer to spatial archetype – a city with a market
square as a central point
