Olęder villages: The architecture, spatial aspects and flood resilience.

This paper discusses certain characteristic features of Olęder settlements (from the Polish word "Olęder" meaning a settler of Dutch and/or German descent in Poland; Ger. Holländer or Hauländer) using the example of Olęder villages in the Pyzdry Forest (Puszcza Pyzdrska), Wielkopolska region, Poland. What is specific about the area is that, compared with other Olęder areas in the Wielkopolska region, there are well-preserved layouts and a significant number of original buildings erected with traditional techniques. The landscape of Olęder villages in Polish territories evolved gradually from patterns transferred from the area of today's Netherlands and northern Germany. In contrast to the indigenous settlements and cultures, Olęder villages have a different layout, architecture, as well as drainage and flood protection systems. The large numbers and concentration in river valleys shows the importance of those settlements and the specific influence they had on the landscape transformation in these areas. With time, the traditional Olęder settlements and architecture were transformed, and were subject to the process of natural destruction after the cultural and historical continuity of the land was interrupted in 1945 (which included displacement of the residents). With the current residents' lack of attention to preserving the heritage, these areas are being transformed according to new patterns. The purpose of this article is to show the results of a comprehensive field research of 58 historic settlements (67 present-day villages), including surveys of historical sites, as well as to present historical studies and an analysis of cartographic and planning material. The development of settlements from the mid-17th century to 1839 was examined and two types of Olęder village layouts were identified: wetland linear village (rzędówka bagienna, Ger. Marschhufendorf) and unstructured layout village. The local bog iron architecture, also known as "iron houses" is unique not only for Olęder settlements, but also globally. As a result of the research, characteristic features of the Olęder villages in the Pyzdry Forest were identified, such as their layout, pattern, land transformation, and features that strengthened their resilience to flooding. Identifying these features enabled the author to come up with a specific preservation assessment method for Olęder villages in flood risk areas. Such assessment will be discussed in a separate paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]