Spending time in the natural outdoor environment is a part of a healthy lifestyle. This study focused on identifying elements of green infrastructure that have a positive impact on both increasing physical activity, spending time outdoors and improving overall health. The aim of the research was to identify which elements of the settlement units’ green and blue infrastructure, related to residents’ preferences for greenery, influence more physical activity and spending time in green spaces and improve the healthy feeling of users as perceived by respondents. A total of 721 respondents from Poland took part in the survey. Using multiple regression models, the factors that influence an increase in outdoor physical activity Green Physical Activity Index (GPAI) were: using green spaces for exercise, spending time outdoors, exposure to nature and sufficiently large amounts of green space in the neighborhood and proximity to places to walk the dog. In contrast, physical activity has been shown to improve feeling healthy (health declaration). The main findings show that the increase in physical activity outdoors (GPAI) is positively influenced by factors related to respondents’ reasons for being outdoors, rather than the attractiveness and availability of green infrastructure. The research confirmed the necessity of arranging green areas with rich offerings in terms of a variety of activities for leisure visitors, to give them more opportunities for being outdoors.

The article attempts to discuss the development of the idea of sustainable development in the landscape of cities on selected examples. The reasons for the current state of the townscape are analysed. EU and Polish legal acts in the field of landscape, environment and cultural heritage protection were reviewed. The examples presented in the article show that activities in the field of development and improvement of urban landscape have many aspects, both legal, environmental, social and economic. The current development of cities causes the development and urbanization of already existing green areas and agricultural land. Meanwhile, the spatial policy (in accordance with the idea of sustainable development of the urban landscape) attempts to compensate for the loss of greenery in many cases by afforestation of wasteland and creation of new areas of managed greenery: on revitalised (post-industrial) areas, coastal areas, introduces supplements to street greenery and realisation of new parks and green areas, as well as organising new forms of greenery on former farmland.

The research was conducted in two types of urban forests: Peucedano-Pinetum and Tilio-Carpinetum. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in plant species compositions in the herbaceous layer of urban forests with different habitat fertility adjacent to the road in the northern part of Warsaw (Poland). Seven transects were laid out in each type of forest, with 10 plots spread out from the edge zone (forest border) to the interior of the forests. The size of each plot was 100 m². The other seven transects were located within the forest, 150 to 200 m away from the forest’s edge. The field research included phytosociological relevés carried out on the existing transects. The indoor studies included an analysis of forest community disturbance. Furthermore, an analysis of abiotic environmental conditions using ecological indicator numbers was carried out. Ecotones of Peucedano-Pinetum are more likely to be colonized by the species inconsistent with the habitat due to processes that increase habitat fertility. The Tilio-Carpinetum forest is more easily colonized by invasive plant species than the Peucedano-Pinetum. The range of road effects can be determined as an area located within 90 m inward of the forest in the case of the Peucedano-Pinetum community and 100 m in the case of the Tilio-Carpinetum community. The presented research is important for formulating directions about how to manage the forests and their surroundings in terms of shaping forests of more natural character, with species more consistent with a forest habitat.

Rynki i place stanowią jedną z najważniejszych przestrzeni miejskich, zarówno pod względem funkcji jak i układu urbanistycznego. Poprzez zmiany na przestrzeni lat w ich funkcjonowaniu, wiele z nich zaczęło tracić swoją atrakcyjność. Niestety w wielu przypadkach działania mające na celu przywrócenie dawnej świetności układom miejskich powodują pogłębianie się postępującej degradacji. Poprzez zastosowanie analizy porównawczej postanowiono przedstawić jak rynki i place na terenie Wielkopolski zmieniały się w ostatnich latach i wskazać kierunki działań rewitalizacyjnych, które wpływają negatywnie zarówno na przestrzeń i środowisko.

Aim of the study: The paper presents the research aimed at recognition, evaluation, and improvement of ecological connectivity within the area of Leszno commune area, focusing on the establishment of new ecological corridors and the enhancement of existing ones in rural area adjacent to forest ecosystems, part of the Kampinoska Primeval Forest belonging to the Kampinoski National Park, Central Poland, in the middle of Central European Lowland. Material and methods: The desk research consisted of two sections: prior to the field study and after the field study. During the field research, the study area, located in the middle and south parts of Leszno municipality in Poland, was observed and documented. The original methodical approach has been used, applying the division of the study area into landscape units for further detailed analysis, and enabling precise addressing of recommendations. By assessing vegetation cover, dominant vegetation levels, and their continuity within and beyond agricultural units, important insights on the ecological value of each unit were gained. Results and conclusions: Negative impact of roads on ecological corridors was identified as a major challenge. The importance of vegetation along roads and within habitat passages in mitigating the ecological isolation was recognized. Enhancing vegetation cover and creating various types of green corridors – as linear, stepping stones, and landscape ones – connecting forests, and also along roads, while maintaining a zone free of high vegetation directly next to road (due to the requirement of maintaining visibility for drivers), are proposed as measures to mitigate road impacts, preserve connectivity, and promote the movement of species.

Large-scale facilities in the city cause the loss of significant amounts of rainwater,greenery and biologically active areas. Remedying this situation requires the implementationof a number of spatial planning demands. Increasing the attractiveness and spatial value ofurbanised areas state fundamental importance for meeting the needs of local communitiesin the era of predicted climate change. The study shows that appropriate management ofwater recovered from the roofs of large-scale buildings can be used to supply significantareas of urban greenery.