The Lenin Foundry was built as a propaganda weapon against historic Kraków. The communists tried to use their accomplishments to eclipse Poland's historical heritage.

The development of heavy industry was a priority for the communist authorities. They expanded it without any regard for the consequences. This quickly led to imbalances in economic development and a lack of regard for work safety, which resulted in a plague of occupational illnesses. Under such circumstances, the environment was not taken into account at all, leading to environmental disasters.