SGGW students analyze the impact of the road crossing the Kampinos National Park on shaping the surrounding landscape, and environment
Does the state road reduce the natural value of the Kampinos National Park?
Spatial planning is one of the majors of the Spatial Management study program, and that’s why third-year students undertook the issue of the impact of provincial road 579 on the Kampinoski National Park (KPN) and its buffer zone. The provincial road crosses the KNP, separating it into two parts and making it difficult to move around the Park both for animals and tourists.
The survey was aimed at identifying the areas that may reduce the natural value of the Kampinos National Park.
Environmental degradation elements
The survey was carried out on the road sections of approximately 2 km, taking into account Elements of environmental and landscape degradation, such as littering of the area by road users, illegal entries to KNP, the presence of large-format printing and information boards, and construction along roads.
Other threats, including noise levels generated by cars and trucks at a distance of 10 and 50 m from the road using Trotec SL 400 sound level meters, and traffic volume data (between 12:00-01:00 pm) were also examined. The overall impact of the above-mentioned elements on the Kampinoski National Park was also assessed
Results
The results of field studies showed a high level of noise along the examined route, mainly caused by trucks (up to 87.5 dB). The increased truck traffic on the section of the road where it is formally limited was also recorded. Some remains of animals that failed to cross the road safely were found in 5 places along the examined section of the road.
28 entries to the Park including 5 illegal ones were observed; a large amount of rubbish was also found along the road. During the 5-hour stay, 22 bags of rubbish left by the drivers were collected. The obtained results resulted in a low assessment of the attractiveness of the current landscape of the Kampinoski National Park along the provincial road.
Proposed solutions
Having completed the survey, students presented the proposals, as follows: introducing a higher speed limit and speed measuring systems; introducing sound barriers to block noise using bushes or shrubs, and Park notice boards.
The survey results have been submitted to the authorities of the Kampinos National Park.
Field studies were carried out under the direction of dr Wojciech Lewandowski in cooperation with dr hab. Agata Cieszewska, Department of Landscape Architecture, SGGW.
