Management System of Urban Landscape in Poland on the Example of Wroclaw in the Context of European Landscape Convention Implementation

This study analyzes legal system of urban landscape management in Poland and its changes in last decade on the example of Wroclaw - city located in central part of Lower Silesia region in south-western Poland. The main objective of the study was to assess the current legal system of urban landscape management in Poland in terms of the implementation of the European Landscape Convention provisions. Before coming into force the act of 24 April 2015 amending certain laws in connection with the reinforcement of the tools for landscape protection (so-called "Landscape Act") the basis of landscape management were spatial planning documents and guidelines from documents forming protection areas of nature or monument values. Study of the conditions and directions of spatial development, selected land development plans as well as guidelines for seven nature conservation areas and one cultural park were analyzed in terms of landscape management provisions. Changes of legal basis were also taken into account. After 11 years since ratifying European Landscape Convention in 2004 Polish authorities have finally noticed the necessity to implement its provisions to Polish law. Legal basis for urban landscape management has been drastically changed. Landscape Act introduces new tool for landscape management at regional level called landscape audit which will affect all new spatial planning documents of the city. It consists in characterization and assessment of all landscape types identified within the borders of each region in Poland. It is the basis for selection of priority landscapes, identification of threats and determination the way of spatial development of landscape units. Local authorities have also received new tool for shaping advertising policy. In the context of European Landscape Convention implementation, it should be emphasized that before 2015 there was no document dedicated strictly for landscape management of Wroclaw because there was no legal basis for it. All the provisions were scattered in various kind of documents that's why there was no coherent landscape management policy. It remains to be hoped that in the coming years, a coherent policy in this area will finally be developed and adopted thanks to the use of new landscape management tools.