Analysis of changes in spatial structure of rural areas in Poland resulting from land consolidation - a case study

Małgorzata Stańczuk-Gałwiaczek

Abstract

Large part of Poland faces problems related to inadequate spatial structure and excessive fragmentation of agricultural lands in rural areas. Land consolidation process enables the reallocation of parcels to remove the adverse effects of land fragmentation and improve agricultural productivity. As a result of land consolidation there are observed significant structural changes in rural areas. The scope of benefits of land consolidation is wide - there can be noticed spatial, agricultural, socioeconomic, landscape and environmental effects of the process. Paper aims to investigate main directions and scope of changes in spatial structure of rural areas in Poland caused by land consolidation for a selected land consolidation object Analyses of changes were made on the basis of digital cadastral maps presenting the state before and after land consolidation and land consolidation documentation for the selected research object using computer graphic program EWMAPA. Paper presents an analysis of the changes in land utilization, changes in land tenure structure, changes in accessibility to public roads and changes of selected parameters characterizing shape expanse of agricultural holdings. Research results indicate an improvement in spatial structure of analyzed area, including the improvement of shape expanse of agricultural holdings and the reduction of plots without an access to a public road.