Urszula Myga-Piątek

The Degree of Landscape Openness as a Manifestation of Cultural Metamorphose

Abstract The issues of aesthetic assessment of landscapes has now become important due to the need of rational and balanced cultural landscape management and the implementation of the provisions of the European Landscape Convention. The aim of this article is to show the methodology of the assessment and interpretation of the degree of the current openness of the cultural landscape of Poland as an effect of a historical process. The chronological analysis made it possible to single out stages of opening/enclosing of the landscapes of Poland with reference to crucial natural, historical and cultural factors. The degree of landscape openness may be treated as a synthetic indicator of the natural and cultural environment evolution. When a landscape type is viewed as a result of natural and anthropogenic processes, the analysis of proportions between the surface of natural and cultural elements becomes of prime importance. In the historical times, the process of landscape enclosing was not unidirectional. Four stages of transformation of cultural landscapes in Poland have been distinguished. These stages are characterized by differences of the landscape openness. It can be interpreted as the result of cultural metamorphosis.

GEOTOURIST POTENTIAL OF POST-MINING REGIONS IN POLAND

Abstract The current article will attempt to confirm that Polish post-mining areas are characterized by high cognitive and aesthetic values and that they have great geotourism potential, which has been little used so far. Tourism is regarded to be one of the most dynamically growing sectors of the global economy and is a phenomenon that occurs in the landscapes of all ecological and altitudinal zones. Geotourism is among the relatively recent types of tourism. Poland is a highly attractive country for geotourism. The aim of this article is to analyze the distribution and size of post-mining areas in Poland and, based on these analyses, to assess the geotourist potential of selected post-mining regions. Based on the distribution of natural resource mining sites and their potential and actual use in geotourism, the authors selected 20 actual and potential geotourist regions in Poland. These regions were divided into three basic categories based on their attractiveness.

Landscape management on post-exploitation land using the example of the Silesian region, Poland

Abstract More and more often, post-mining and post-exploitation areas, which have been heavily transformed by man’s economic activities, are no longer a danger to the environment, but they enhance the monotonous urban-industrial landscape of a particular region and are instead its identifying value. Activities regarding the planning of landscape development are very difficult. This paper emphasizes some of the problems that result from legal barriers with regard to the concept of the more diversified management of post-mining areas as substantial forms of the landscape. In the process of the complex shaping of the natural environment in reclamation actions regarding post-mining areas geographers, biologists and architects have a large role to play.. Due to the fact that landscape management falls within the scope of interest and competencies of many stakeholders, such as: government, regional and self-government institutions, nature, monument and state forest protection authorities as well as the scientific community from various disciplines, it is very difficult to reach a consensus in this matter and to develop uniform operating procedures. The landscape management problems on postindustrial areas have been illustrated through the example of the region of Silesia. The cultural landscape of the region has been intensively developed in the last thousand years, but signs of human impact are much older, dating back to the pre-historical and early Medieval periods. The Silesia region is currently undergoing a major spatial reconstruction.

The optimization of rural landscape in the light of the idea of sustainable development – the example of Poland

Abstract Contemporary rural landscapes in Poland are being changed intensively and adversely. These changes lead to landscape disharmony, spatial disorder, the blurring of individual and specific features and disruption to the ecological equilibrium. This article aims to present general rules for the optimization of rural landscapes. It discusses the causes and consequences of unfavourable changes within Poland’s rural landscapes which constitute a threat to their sustainable development. The authors attempt to identify the major factors to be considered in taking steps aimed at landscape optimization. Landscape equilibrium may be assessed through the sustainable development dimensions: ethical, ecological, social, economic, technical, political and legal. Landscape optimization consists in maintaining the balance within these dimensions.

Assessment of the Exposure of Tourism-Related Landscape Values of the Silesian Beskids Based on Computer Visualization

This paper presents an analysis of the visibility of landscape values , which are important in terms of tourist attractiveness. The paper focuses on the area of the Silesian Beskid Mountains, which have highly diversified (in terms of structure, functionality and physiognomy) natural and cultural values. Due to its location near large urban agglomerations, the region enjoys high tourist interest, and it hosts intensely used recreation facilities. However, as a result of changes in land use and excessive afforestation, the area has lost its sightseeing value, which could result in the decreased interest of tourists and a loss of identity determinants in the landscape in that region. The foundation of tourist attractiveness lies in the visual diversity of elements of the natural and cultural landscape. Forests, which are common in the Beskids, are of unquestionable ecological value; however, from a tourist’s point of view, their prevalence creates scenic monotony and decreases visual attractiveness because they hinder the perception of other valuable forms of landscape (e.g. surface features, hydrographic objects or cultural entities). The article presents existing and possible (computer simulated) states of landscape where the improvement of physiognomic value is planned. To visualize landscape values , the authors used methods and techniques of computer-aided modelling. Interpretation was based on topographic maps at various scales, aerial and satellite photos, a digital elevation model (DEM) and digital thematic maps.

Landschaftspolitik: Organisation und Technisierung des Raumes – am Beispiel vom Geoinformationssystem (GIS)

Laut Europaischer Landschaftskonvention bedeutet „Landschaft“ ein Gebiet, das von Menschen wahrgenommen wird, dessen Charakter das Resultat von Handlungen und Interaktionen der naturlichen und/oder menschlichen Faktoren ist (Artikel 1a). „Landschaftspolitik“ bedeutet die Umsetzung von allgemeinen Grundsatzen, Strategien und Richtlinien durch die zustandigen offentlichen Behorden, welche es erlauben, spezielle Masnahmen zu ergreifen, die auf den Schutz, die Bewirtschaftung und Gestaltung der Landschaft zielen (Artikel 1b).