Assessment of the possibility of establishing cultural parks in selected rural and small town areas in the Lublin Province

Abstract

The study objective was to identify and assess the cultural landscape resources in two counties in the Lublin Province (Poland) – county of Radzyń Podlaski and county of Łęczna – and to examine the public opinion about the establishment of cultural parks within these two counties. The research procedure included an analysis of district-level planning and strategy documents, a SWOT analysis, a field inventory, and a questionnaire survey. This research was preceded by an analysis of the functioning of cultural parks in other regions in Poland. An additional goal of the study was to join the global discussion about cultural parks. The research has shown that the county of Radzyń Podlaski and county of Łęczna have great potential for creating cultural parks. However, it is necessary to improve the public awareness (particularly of local governments and property owners) about the cultural park as a form of protection and the development opportunities related to its establishment e.g. revitalisation, tourism and recreation. System-wide changes in the scope of establishment and functioning of cultural parks are also advisable.