The research is discussing the evolution of spatial pattern that is determining the relations between the residential object and the accompanying functional land in the countryside of Podravska Region from the middle of the nineteenth century until today. The central goal is to understand changes and the development of this relation, as well as to identify key spatial, typological and socio-economic factors that have influenced its reshaping. The research is stemming from the assumption that with the development of the countryside residential construction typology, from traditional through standard type to modern, the connection between the interior of a residential object, its external space, and a wider context of a settlement had been dramatically altered.
The methodological research is founded on the combination of theoretical analysis, empirical evidencing, and comparative and longitudinal method. Three selected countryside settlements in Podravska Region were analysed. They represent three relief types; flatlands, hills, and ridge. The research is including the study of spatial setting of residential objects, structure and use of the accompanying parcels of land, as well as their attitude toward the neighbouring land plots and objects. A special emphasis is intended for the longitudinal comparison between a historical situation on the basis of Franziszeischer cadastre and the current one, also accompanied by a GIS-analysis, field observations, and research through surveys. This enabled a multilevel treatment of the functional land plot as a morphological, programmatic, and developmental unit.
The research results are showing that in a traditional countryside construction a high level of functional, spatial, and symbolic connectivity was established between the residential object and the accompanying land, whereby the residential, economic, and landscape elements formed a coherent spatial system. The transition into the period of constructing certain standard types of buildings (1970–1970) signifies a clear turning point since we start seeing a central or unsuitably positioned setting of buildings, enlargement of solid floor areas, and gradual fragmentation of the outside space. The longitudinal analysis has shown processes of transformation and partial degradation of the functional land plot, especially in the flatland space, while terrains with diversfied relief keep preserving stabler morphological principles. It had been established also that the absolute size of the land plot is not a decisive quality of life factor; the relation between the constructed and green areas is much more important, as is organising the transition between the residential object and the residential garden.
The research is confirming that changes in lifestyle, relinquishing agricultural activities, urbanised patterns of daily life, and uncritical transfer of universal standard types of buildings into a countryside are key factors in the decomposing of a traditionally coherent system. For a conclusion, the research is emphasising the need for a renewed consideration in regard to spatial and architectural approaches towards a countryside residential construction, and is pointing towards possibilities for a better and more wholesome connection of the residential object with the external areas of the accompanying parcel of land in the future development of the countryside areas.
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