Cottage sprawl: Spatial development of second homes in Bory Tucholskie, Poland

Abstract

Currently, urban sprawl is one of important spatial problems in Poland, although to date it has mostly been recognised as an issue in suburban areas. This study aims to explain how the expansion of purpose-built second homes contributes to the creation of a sprawled settlement pattern in areas of high natural value, focusing on the example of Bory Tucholskie as a study area. Two research approaches are used: first, an inventory of second homes and archival aerial photographs are combined to perform a GIS analysis of the factors affecting the location of second homes and other new buildings within the past two decades; second, the results of a survey, interviews and the analysis of documents provide a deeper understanding of the quantitative results. The location of new second homes is conditioned by the presence of the forest, lakes, and their isolation from main villages. Unlike other new developments, second homes create a disorganised, discontinuous and increasingly dispersed spatial pattern in the vicinity of natural areas, which can be explained by the motives for the use of second homes, the practices of their acquisition and the planning regulations. Second homes are an integral part of the sprawl process that is occurring in Poland, which is generated by economic restructuring, increasing consumption, and lifestyle changes.