CHANGES IN THE BRDY LANDSCAPE UTILIZATION AFTER THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE MILITARY TRAINING AREA BRDY INTO THE PROTECTED LANDSCAPE AREA BRDY

A substantial part of the Brdy Highlands was used for military purposes for ninety years. After the termination of the Military Training Area Brdy on January 1, 2016, the utilization of this area has changed markedly, and gradual changes are also occurring in the surrounding landscape. However, the great expectations associated with the emergence of a new protected landscape area in the sense of possible future economic development of neighbouring municipalities have not yet been fulfilled. The article deals with the various aspects of the Brdy landscape transformation in the first years of existence of the Protected Landscape Area Brdy. The most important changes occurred as regards environmental protection, demilitarization of almost all the territory of the former Military Training Area Brdy and development of some economic activities. Nevertheless, the previously marginalized territory is becoming integrated only slowly into the broader social and economic networks. It remains an inner periphery on the border of the Pilsen region and Central Bohemian region with problematic territorial-administrative governance and low level of economic development.