Spatio-Functional Pattern of a Small City: A Cross-Sectional Study of Brzeziny, Central Poland

Understanding the spatial organisation of small towns is essential for sustainable spatial planning and regional development. This study examines the spatio-functional pattern of Brzeziny, a small town located within the Łódź Metropolitan Area in Central Poland, selected as a representative case due to its typical Central European small-town morphology shaped by historical continuity, demographic stagnation, and metropolitan influence. The analysis is based on updated cadastral land-use data verified through field surveys and supplemented with topographic datasets (BDOT10k and OpenStreetMap). A modified land-use classification comprising nine categories is applied, and spatial analysis is performed using a regular grid and GIS tools. Dominant land-use structures are identified using the K. Doi method, enabling the delineation of spatio-functional zones. The results reveal a strong dominance of undeveloped land (77% of the total area), particularly agricultural land, alongside a compact central zone characterised by residential and service functions. The study demonstrates how historical development, economic structure, and metropolitan proximity shape the spatial organisation of small towns. The proposed methodology highlights the usefulness of cadastral data combined with grid-based spatial analysis for identifying S-FPs and supporting local planning processes.