Marek Pieniążek

Abstract

Today, the functions of rural areas are changing; having been mainly agricultural and forested they are increasingly becoming touristicand residential, especially those that are situated in suburban and coastal regions. Spatial typologies are commonly developed on populationdensity which we found could be substituted by land use. The elaboration demonstrates the procedure which led us to a spatialclassification of all the local administrative units in Poland (gmina – NUTS5). As a result 7 classes were distinguished. The goal is to createa standard of division based on universal, readable and easily interpretable indicators which will make the results more intelligible.

Keywords: rural areas, spatial classification, spatial typology, land use, Poland

Marek Pieniążek, Central Statistical Office Al. Niepodległości 208 00-925 Warsaw: Poland