Cemetery is a multi-layered, specific space perceived as an essential component of sustainable development, contributing to the culture of space or the image of the settlement unit. Due to demographic trends and the current epidemiologic situation, the demand for burial sites has increased. Due to the lack of a commonly applied cemetery expansion strategy in Poland, new objects are often of low quality, leading to environmental degradation and a negative social perception of burial space. By the analysis of 34 selected extended cemeteries in France (11 objects), the Netherlands (9 objects), Germany (9 objects), and Slovenia (5 objects), some features of developed objects integrated with landscape and subsequently were applied while developing the concepts of three various Polish cemeteries demanding expansion. Based on this, a set of practical steps regarding the enlargement of these sites, according to the rules of sustainable development, was elaborated.
In the face of rapid urbanization and dynamic changes in the landscape, the role of urban green spaces gains in importance. Developing a compre-hensive, regionally tailored typology of urban green spaces is essential for capturing the full diversity of urban ecosystems. This study presents a novel approach to creating urban green space typology, integrating hier-archical cluster analysis as the primary method. This statistical approach utilizes numerous spatial data features, which are characteristics related to their function, morphology, and management. Using a clustering al-gorithm, elements were grouped into relatively homogeneous classes and the relationships between objects with scaled cluster distances were examined. The main result of this study is a hierarchical typology of ur-ban green spaces, distinguishing two groups and 11 types of urban green spaces. Despite the satisfactory overall results of the hierarchical cluster analysis, an extended typology was proposed because urban gardens are characterized by a very high degree of heterogeneity within a type.
The European Landscape Convention (2000) is the first European charter dedicated to all landscapes, emphasising their importance for cultural identity and well-being, and promoting community engagement in their management and planning. Various participatory planning methods have been advanced in line with this charter, yet these methods have not been widely applied to cultural landscapes in rural contexts. To ad-dress this gap, this study evaluates the added value of methods harness-ing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for community participation in rural cultural landscape settings. It does so by comparing five European participatory experiences that use both GIS-based and non-GIS-based methods for landscape planning in rural contexts. The main findings pro-vide insights into the advantages and disadvantages of various participa-tory methods based on inclusiveness, effectiveness, and repeatability. GIS-based methods show great potential in integrating citizen inputs into landscape planning, particularly by engaging a larger audience and facili-tating discussion and exchange of spatial ideas through digital maps. Fur-thermore, the authors argue that simplified GIS-based methods could help disseminate the European Landscape Convention principles of com-munity engagement in landscape planning.
Cities must adapt to increasing impacts of climate change, necessitating comprehensive and effective planning processes and instruments. This study investigates the integration of climate adaptation into urban planning, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of planners from three distinct German cities: Remscheid, Potsdam, and Würzburg. The findings reveal that despite a general awareness of adaptation measures, such as greening and open space preservation, substantial challenges remain, particularly in incorporating these measures into existing urban frameworks. Key barriers include financial constraints, regulatory obstacles, and competing land-use priorities. Differences also arise among professional perspectives; landscape planners highlight the potential of formal instruments like land-use and development plans, while land-use planners tend to express skepticism about their effectiveness. In contrast, informal instruments are predominantly viewed positively due to their flexibility and participatory nature. Stakeholder dynamics are crucial in shaping climate adaptation outcomes. Public pressure emerges as a significant driver for action, while administrative bodies often face conflicting interests that can hinder coordinated efforts. The study concludes with recommendations for better alignment of formal and informal planning instruments, increased political and administrative support, and more strategic integration of adaptation measures in the early planning stages to ensure successful implementation and enhance urban climate resilience.
The IALE European Landscape Ecology Congress, held every four years, is a key event for the European landscape ecology community, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and stakeholders for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The 2025 congress in Bratislava was especially significant, taking place near Piešťany where IALE was founded in 1982, symbolizing the organization’s evolution from Cold War-era cooperation to a global network. The 2025 meeting continued this legacy by promoting dialogue and action. This editorial examines the 2025 congress, from IALE’s founding in Piešťany to its current role addressing environmental and societal crises. We review its historical context, in particular Eastern European contributions in former Czechoslovakia, and the ongoing influence of pioneers like Prof. Milan Ružička. We then analyze congress participants and their contributions using bibliometric analysis to reveal patterns and international trends. Finally, we reflect on the 2025 issue of Landscape Online, exploring how its publications align with and expand upon the key discussions and innovations that defined this year’s European Congress.
