Analysis of the approaches of the municipalities around the capital city of prague in concepting the relevant territorial plans from the point of view of reflection of the impacts of suburbanization

The aim of the work is to identify which municipalities in the Prague-west and Prague-east districts plan to develop residential areas in their territorial plans in the coming years. This includes determining whether these municipalities adopt an expansive or restrictive spatial policy in response to ongoing suburbanization. The goal is also to ascertain the direction in which the built-up part of the Prague Metropolitan Area will grow. In conclusion, the hypothesis to be verified is that there are differences in the approaches of individual municipalities to spatial planning, particularly related to the recent population growth in these areas. The topic is highly relevant, given the significant suburbanization around the capital city of Prague in recent years. One of the tools that municipalities use to either promote or hinder this trend is an expansive or restrictive policy in spatial planning, which subsequently results in a territorial plan. The first part of this work clarifies the theoretical foundations related to the issue. It begins by discussing the importance of land as a fundamental resource, considering the finite nature of land and its rapid consumption, particularly through construction activities. The field of urbanism and spatial planning is explored, especially regarding settlement expansion. The concept of suburbanization and its associated problems concerning land, as well as its economic, political, and social consequences, are discussed. Tools of spatial planning that can influence this trend are also outlined, though they may not be adequately utilized. Suburbanization is not only a problem for Prague but a global issue, and processes in the USA, Rio de Janeiro, and Germany are examined to demonstrate the various problems it brings. The role of municipalities in spatial planning is emphasized, highlighting the legal obligations imposed on them. The practical part involves analyzing the territorial plans of municipalities in the Prague-west and Prague-east districts, along with an analysis of economic and sociodemographic indicators. A regression analysis is then conducted based on these analyses and indicators. Initially, the population and territory are examined for both districts, particularly concerning the extent of built-up areas and courtyards. The analysis reveals that both districts are almost identical in terms of the observed indicators. The territorial plans of municipalities in the Prague-west and Prague-east districts are further analyzed regarding their built-up areas and developable plots. The analysis suggests that the Prague Metropolitan Area will grow more towards the east. Based on the ratio of developable to already built-up areas, municipalities that adopt or have adopted expansive/restrictive spatial planning policies are identified. The subsequent analysis of economic and sociodemographic indicators is crucial, particularly for the regression analysis, which examines the factors influencing the spatial planning strategy of municipalities. It is found that the only influential factor among the selected indicators is the year of the territorial plan's creation.