Ewa Głosińska

Abstract

In 2011, there were legislative changes made in Polish laws concerning water management and spatial planning. These changes resulted from the implementation of the Floods Directive, particularly its first stage. In consequence, the Polish government introduced legal acts altering the previously binding legislation, including those acts directly concerning the spatial development of floodplains. The Floods Directive was adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council in 2007 as a response to the growing urbanisation of floodplains. Urbanisation is causing more frequent flooding. The results are increased material (loss of property) and non-material (loss of life) losses. The main aim of this paper is to present the legislative changes introduced in Poland in relation to spatial planning in floodplains, resulting from the implementation of the Floods Directive. The paper also aims at defining how these changes may influence the future development of flood zones.

Ewa Głosińska, Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences Dzięgielowa 27, 61-680 Poznań: Poland