Selected aspects of spatial changes in land use due to suburbanisation – a case study in Poland

Motives: The reason for undertaking this study was the need to identify the extent of suburbanisation in Eastern Poland, observed in the municipalities located in the vicinity of Lublin – one of the largest cities in this region. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in land use in the area of the municipalities of Głusk and Jastków in a selected period, and to compare them in terms of changes in land cover due to the suburbanisation process. The research was divided into the following stages: the acquisition of reliable data on the use of the study area in 2000 and 2018; the preparation of land cover data in graphical form; the verification of the information as to which municipality has undergone greater changes in relation to the suburbanisation process. Results: The analysis showed that over recent years, progressive changes have taken place in the agricultural and rural landscape in both municipalities. The changes in land use in the study area are significant. Agricultural land is being replaced by newly created land intended for construction purposes. In addition, new, previously non-existent forms of land cover are emerging. New suburban housing estates, new houses and, often, new public spaces are being created.