Analysis of rural social aspects in the context of land consolidations and land use planning, the case study, czech republic

Abstract

Our project was focused on the investigation of attitudes and preferences of the rural population concerning landscape protection and use in the context of land use planning documentations - Land Consolidations (LC) and Land Use Planning (LUP). The survey was organized in the form of questionnaires distributed in four model localities. In total, we obtained 196 responses (almost 32%) out of 617 questionnaires distributed via elementary schools. The respondents are more familiar with the notion of land use planning (80% know the term of land plan) than land consolidations (known by 50% respondents only). The local population are not confident about the land-managing subjects (60% respondents do not believe that the subjects managing agricultural land e.g. protect arable land against erosion). Seventy % of respondents agree with restoration of balks, with reducing the acreages of agriculturally managed land tracts. More than 90% respondents perceive the landscape as a space for recreation, sports, and rest. Only 20% of inhabitants are employed in agriculture (over 60% respondents work in services or other specializations). The respondents prefer natural environment over the economic aspects of the rural areas. © 2014 International Newsletters Ltd.