Urban landscape (UL) management and urban greenspace (UG) delivery require effective planning tools. The aim of the study is to develop a conceptual framework for the implementation of ecological, structural and visual landscape and greenspace indicators (LGI) in spatial development of urban areas. The UL and UG management provisions in Poland are identified at various levels of urban planning (local, municipal and regional). Furthermore, the applicability of the selected set of LGI in the Polish planning system is considered based on the existing planning documents. The quality of UL and UG transformation is discussed in three case studies in Bristol, Gdańsk and Poznań in the broader context of the English and Polish spatial planning systems. Bristol is used as a point of reference for the evaluation of UL and UG management in Poland and for the comparison between English and Polish landscape policies. Based on the conceptual framework and the analysis of the case studies, critical areas of UL and UG management in Poland are identified. The existing planning system often fails to ensure the continuity of landscape structures, and it does not include its preservation and enhancement to a sufficient extent. Therefore, the implementation of the proposed LGI framework could significantly improve the ecological and visual quality, as well as the structural diversity of UL and UG. Moreover, the article concludes by indicating some practical implications of the proposed LGI framework for urban planners, policy makers and other stakeholders in terms of improving the modes of governance for UL and UG management as well as of accounting for human health and well-being.

Numerous barren land areas are found within administrative boundaries of cities. They include both former farmland located at the outskirts of cities, as well as vacant plots, postindustrial plots or former railway infrastructure plots. Barren plots are integral elements of the urban landscape and contemporary scientific concepts indicate their important role in the functioning of urban ecosystems. Abandoned land provides a potential for the development of green infrastructure and further development of recreation areas. At the same time some abandoned plots are informally adapted by local residents to suit their needs, transforming them into community gardens and recreation areas. This paper presents results of studies conducted by the authors in selected derelict areas in the city of Poznań. Analyses were conducted on their type, origin, size and location within the city. Observations were also recorded on the methods to adapt abandoned land by local communities.

The aim of the article was to identify changes in the structure of land use and land cover in the context of spatial planning problems. The research was conducted on valley areas protected under the Natura 2000 programme and that are located within the zone of influence of a big city. The researchers analysed local planning documents to see whether they were in agreement with the aims of the protection programme. The Natura 2000 areas located in the Commune of Stęszew, Poznań County were chosen for a case study. The article describes recurrent problems and phenomena that are typical of the protected areas and that are simultaneously affected by the pressure of urbanisation. GIS tools were used to make a comparative analysis of six categories of land use forms in three research periods and to calculate the indicator of land cover variance. Since the 1980s, the areas under study have been affected by changes in land use. They have been manifested by a higher forestation rate, increasing numbers of developed areas, and a decrease in farmland area. The percentage of other components of the land cover structure has not changed much. In view of environmental protection, the changes proposed in spatial plans are a matter of special concern. The territory under analysis is characterised by a very high land cover variance indicator referring to the developed area, whereas the indicators referring to farmland and wetland areas are negative. It is particularly difficult to apply the rule of sustainable development in the areas. The protection of natural values and the developmental needs of the commune stand in opposition to each other and cause spatial planning conflicts.

Vernacular forms which can be found in North Portugal and Galicia (region of Western Spain) can be traced down up until times, when this geographical area was bound together through Celtic influences. Wood, stone, and clay, used for local constructions, appear in many forms which are until now well preserved around the area. The main objective of research was to identify vernacular forms, focusing on granaries, commonly found in the study area, and creating the proposal of their reuse. Development and roots of those buildings is researched, showing their historical origin, locally sourced materials used in the region, as well as the state of the buildings nowadays and legal ways of their protection in Spain and Portugal. The base of the project was a village renewal concept which aims to adapt the ruins of unused agricultural settlements located in Porreiras for cultural tourism needs, with a proposal of reusing granaries as pilgrim units. Minimal intervention is made thanks to creating interior of a granary as a piece of furniture, filling, but not interfering with existing construction. Concept of safeguarding granaries through giving them new function is proposed to be implemented on Camino de Santiago tail, since the granaries are commonly found in rural landscape of North Portugal and Spanish Galicia.

The limitation of territorial expansion and the implementation of the idea of a compact city are generally accepted paradigms of spatial development of contemporary cities. In consequence, actions are taken to improve the quality of city landscape and revitalise vacant areas. This study approaches the process of city regeneration as transformation and supplementation of the existing urban structure as well as creation of multifunctional, structurally, socially and ecologically sustainable spaces. The article presents the problem of creation of new-inner city residential areas. The study was conducted on three housing estates located in post-industrial and post-military areas: Harbourside Development in Bristol (UK), City Park and Ułańskie Estate in Poznań (Poland) and Browar Gdański in Gdańsk (Poland). The article includes analyses of relations between the estates and their surroundings, spatial structure parameters and architectural, urban and scenic characteristics. It includes assessment of the legibility, consistency, diversity and quality of the urban landscape.

Vernacular forms which can be found in North Portugal and Galicia (region of Western Spain) can be traced down up until times, when this geographical area was bound together through Celtic influences. Wood, stone, and clay, used for local constructions, appear in many forms which are until now well preserved around the area. The main objective of research was to identify vernacular forms, focusing on granaries, commonly found in the study area, and creating the proposal of their reuse. Development and roots of those buildings is researched, showing their historical origin, locally sourced materials used in the region, as well as the state of the buildings nowadays and legal ways of their protection in Spain and Portugal. The base of the project was a village renewal concept which aims to adapt the ruins of unused agricultural settlements located in Porreiras for cultural tourism needs, with a proposal of reusing granaries as pilgrim units. Minimal intervention is made thanks to creating interior of a granary as a piece of furniture, filling, but not interfering with existing construction. Concept of safeguarding granaries through giving them new function is proposed to be implemented on Camino de Santiago tail, since the granaries are commonly found in rural landscape of North Portugal and Spanish Galicia.