Walory przyrodniczo-krajobrazowe doliny Bystrzycy w Lublinie

River valleys are one of the most significant features of the urban landscape, for they contain both natural landscape elements as well as those of the architectural or built environment. River valleys aesthetically improve the scenery of the urban landscape, while their benefit towards society can be assessed in terms of both their intrinsic ecological value as well as their instrumental touristic and recreational worth. Early development of the town of Lublin centered on the River Bystrzyca, where it featured prominently as the central and integral landscape element. This has ceased to be the case, however, and as a result the town of Lublin has lost its direct historical connection to the river. It is now as if the town has grown and developed with its 'back' to the river, losing the connectedness that the two once shared. Local planners seem indifferent to the significance and natural value of Lublin's river valley, since they have not come up with a plan to develop it according to historical precedent. There are still some significant views of the river in Lublin: from local bridges, from urban districts on the high river banks and a partial view from Zygmuntowski Alley, though it is safe to say that the presence of the River Bystrzyca in Lublin's cultural landscape is not emphasized nearly enough. The purpose of this article is to assess the natural and cultural landscape value of the River Bystrzyca and guide future development with best management practices, emphasizing cultural landscape preservation and sustainable recreation.