Influence of the Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine on spatial planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców in the inhabitants’ opinion

The aim of this article is to describe the influence of the Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine on the spatial planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców in the inhabitants’ opinion. In the paper the author presented the main changes, that, according to the residents, occurred in the land use planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców from the outset of mining activity in their area. The author also indicated changes that are negatively perceived by local communities and inhabitants’ expectations regarding future changes in the spatial development of their communes. During the study the area of impact of the Szczerców pit was also determined. Analysis of the questionnaires showed, that, in the opinion of the inhabitants, the impact of the lignite mine on spatial planning significantly decreases with distance until it completely disappears. The most significant changes are visible only in those parts of the communes, which are in a direct contact with lignite mining area and are related with the operation of the mine. They include proximity to the excavation area, building of industrial facilities or construction of roads leading to the objects belonging to the mine.

Influence of the Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine on spatial planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców in the inhabitants’ opinion

The aim of this article is to describe the influence of the Bełchatów Brown Coal Mine on the spatial planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców in the inhabitants’ opinion. In the paper the author presented the main changes, that, according to the residents, occurred in the land use planning in the communes of Rząśnia and Szczerców from the outset of mining activity in their area. The author also indicated changes that are negatively perceived by local communities and inhabitants’ expectations regarding future changes in the spatial development of their communes. During the study the area of impact of the Szczerców pit was also determined. Analysis of the questionnaires showed, that, in the opinion of the inhabitants, the impact of the lignite mine on spatial planning significantly decreases with distance until it completely disappears. The most significant changes are visible only in those parts of the communes, which are in a direct contact with lignite mining area and are related with the operation of the mine. They include proximity to the excavation area, building of industrial facilities or construction of roads leading to the objects belonging to the mine.