Changes in the spatial structure of land use as a result of suburbanisation processes in rural areas surrounding the Tri-city agglomeration

Motives: For many years now, suburbanisation processes have been perceived as one of the most significant factors affecting changes in landscape structures. Numerous attempts are made to find appropriate methods and materials for a comparative analysis of land use changes in different periods of time and other indicators measuring the scale of this phenomenon. These studies result from the need to balance the suburbanisation process around the main service area of the Tri-City, the rapid pace of which causes development to enter areas that are not suitable for development due to environmental reasons. This implies the need for constant monitoring of this process. Aim: The study is an analysis of changes in land use patterns that took place in some rural areas surrounding the Tri-City agglomeration in the period of 2012–2018, and an attempt to assess how suburbanisation processes may be perceived in the light of the 1985 concept of the Gdańsk agglomeration development. The analysis covers selected rural areas located in the closest vicinity to the central housing zones of the Tri-City agglomeration and areas of rural characteristics located within the administrative borders of the cities. Results: Applying a synthetic indicator allowing to analyse convergence of structures made it possible to determine areas where the far-reaching changes are observed. The analysis covers some negative consequences of suburbanisation in relation to the natural environment, e.g. the unbalanced proportion between bioactive and built-up areas. In order to grasp current trends, the analysis refers to the data on the agglomeration development in the 1980’s. The methods of the research can be used in the analysis of other areas – regardless of administrative borders, for research where statistical data generalized at the commune level are insufficient.