FROM CRISIS TO POTENTIAL. INTEGRATING NATURAL HERITAGE, LANDSCAPE VALUES AND LOCAL IDENTITY INTO DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE CASE OF THE TOWN AND MUNICIPALITY OF CZERWIŃSK NAD WISŁĄ

<ns3:p>The implementation of sustainable development principles following Poland’s accession to theEuropean Union requires reducing socio-economic disparities while preserving the natural capital.Therefore, it is important to identify areas that are in crisis and to propose for them a localdevelopment strategy strengthening the identity of ‘their environment’. Czerwińsk nad Wisłą is anexample of a town that has a medieval origin and was once an important economic and culturalcentre. At present, numerous pressing socio-economic issues are observed in the area, predominantlythe demographic crisis, increasing unemployment, lack of initiatives to dynamise the town’sdevelopment. The aim of this study was to identify elements of the capital of the Czerwińsk nad Wisłącommune that could contribute to the development of a local development strategy. The studyincludes field analyses conducted within the commune boundaries to identify its natural, landscape,and urban planning assets. Supra-material values and Genius loci will also be analysed, as well as theexpectations of various social groups on the basis of the area profile and surveys. The research willallow valorisation of the studied landscape, identifying places where values are concentrated as wellas areas in crisis and in need of intervention. Research has shown that it is possible to developscenarios for the growth of Czerwińsk nad Wisłą based on the capitalisation of its natural and culturalresources, as the condition of human capital remains a weak link. As a starting point for improvingthe security of preserving natural and cultural resources as well as public safety, It is proposed toundertake promotional activities intended to increasing the sales of local products by positioningthem as a brand associated with the area’s natural and cultural heritage.</ns3:p>