Abstract
Urban areas continuously evolve. The main drivers of spatial change in towns and cities are urbanization processes. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the process of urban development spanning a period of 30 years and to analyze the correlations between the distribution of various land-use types. The results were compared with the land use balance made in the 1970s. In the present study, the distribution of different land use categories in urban space was mapped with very high accuracy. The results of this study validate that areas with specific functions tend to coexist, whereas other areas exist separately in different parts of the town. Active urbanization processes were observed in the analyzed town. Developed and urbanized areas (mainly with residential functions) were significantly expanded in the analyzed period. The spatial and functional structure of the analyzed town and its development potential within the administrative boundaries are influenced by the geographic location, which significantly obstructs further expansion of developed areas. The proposed methodology can be used to improve land management in urban areas and can be implemented in other spatial units.