Land use institutions and social-ecological systems: A spatial analysis of local landscape changes in Poland

Deslatte, A., Szmigiel-Rawska, K., Tavares, A. F., Ślawska, J., Karsznia, I., & Łukomska, J. (2022). Land use institutions and social-ecological systems: A spatial analysis of local landscape changes in Poland. Land Use Policy, 114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105937 This episode explores landscape change in Poland to understand how governance and resource systems shape urban development. Using the socio-ecological systems (SES) framework, the study examines land-use patterns within a transition from a Soviet-style centralized model to a capitalist approach. Data from the Corine Land Cover database reveal that the autonomy granted to local governments drives urban development but also exacerbates challenges like urban sprawl and environmental degradation. The study highlights the lack of comprehensive planning in Poland, with only 30% of the territory covered by local plans, and recommends national legislation to promote more sustainable land-use management. It concludes that interdisciplinary knowledge integration is essential to mitigate the negative impacts of urban growth on the biosphere and enhance the sustainability of human communities.