Guidelines for Revitalization of Rural Areas Based on Landscape Studies

The objective of the article is to present the possibility of using landscape studies in the development of guidelines for the revitalization of rural areas. Performing detailed analyses of the cultural and aesthetic values of the landscape has become the basis for formulating the directions for the development of the rural areas located in the vicinity of the town of Drawsko Pomorskie, that previously were part of state collective farms. Landscape studies included the identification and characterization of natural elements and cultural and aesthetic values of the area, based on the landscape audit methodology and commonly applied principles of valorization of cultural landscape. The analyses allowed us to identify areas that, due to a significant decline in the value of the landscape, caused mainly by the location of objects related to the former state farms, require the analysis of the legitimacy of their further protection within the “Pojezierze Drawskie” [hereinafter “Drawsko Lakeland”] Protected Landscape Area. As a result, it was possible to formulate new guidelines for the revitalization of the studied area.