Scalanie gruntów jako instrument gospodarowania przestrzenią na obszarach wiejskich

Since its introduction in Poland in 1923, land consolidation has continuously been an instrument for improving the farmland planning, thus creating the best possible production conditions in agricultural areas. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the current regulations on land consolidation, in particular to answer the question whether and to what extent this solution serves the efficiency of land management in rural areas, and to what extent it fulfils the objectives set by the legislator in relation to: land management in rural areas, taking into account their production capacity for agriculture and other use; improvement of spatial organization; enabling sustainable development of rural areas and protection of natural resources. The study refers to the guides of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for national legislators designing legal solutions for land consolidation. In conclusion, the author calls for the work to be initiated on a new model of land consolidation or, more broadly, a regulation relating to the management of rural areas.