Formulas for the effective moment of inertia of towers with the linear and the square dependence between the moment of inertia of the tower shaft and the height of the tower are derived and compiled in the paper. Towers with legs of a constant cross-section and constant sloping are also included, assuming that the whole moment of inertia results from the legs. Comparison of a frequency (period) of a first mode of natural vibration and of a tower head deflection calculated and computed using the Robot Millennium program is given for the model of aerial (antenna) steel tower 99.5 m high, with a pyramidal trunk shape, three sections, four legs and with the dead weight of ca. 130 ton.

Geological and engineering conditions of the St. Catherine Church area in War-saw were analyzed in the paper. Description of geology and hydrogeology was based on the field investigation and the archives documents analysis. Extensive spectrum of in-situ testing (including CPT, SL, DMT, CSWS, BAT) and standard laboratory testing was used to determine physical and mechanical properties of soils. Quaternary tills build majority of the analyzed area so its physical and mechanical properties were taken into particular consideration.

Stability of tills slope in St. Katarzyna Church area was analyzed in the paper. Factors of safety from limit equilibrium methods and from c-cp reduction method were compared. Slope/W software was used to calculate factors of safety from basic limit equilibrium methods: Fellenius (or Ordinary) method, Bishop's method and Janbu's method. Plaxis software was used to calculate the factor of safety from c-cp reduction method. Slope stability analysis was done for static conditions, as well as for dynamic conditions (dynamic loading due to traffic).

The work aimed at investigating the impact of water damming on changes of discharge regime, quality of water and river bed sediments, and plant associations within the river channel. The analysis was carried out on the Łasica and Świder rivers situated in protected areas. The research results point out that suitable location and construction of damming facilities as well as their suitable exploitation consisting in right regulation of water level can be favourable for environmental. This is especially important for legally protected areas where the increase of water retention is a precondition for conservation of valuable plant sites.

During the past years, zoning in rural areas has been characterized by obtaining ever larger areas for construction of various types, especially in sites located in the vicinity of large cities (metropolitan areas), and also in the suburban areas of medium and smaller cities. The absence of traffic infrastructure and need to modrernize roads and build motor-ways have resulted in significant areas, previously used as agricultural land, being desi-gnated for construction, which is disclosed in local zoning plans. This process is justified by the social-economic development of our country and the need to make up civilizational delays, compared to the other UE countries. The proliferation of construction and traffic infrastructure to unurbanized areas brings a series of problems, both in the area of the zoning and social issues.

The possibility of developing the touristic-recreational function using elements of cultural heritage, natural and landscape conditions was described based on an example of a few villages of Lower Silesia. The villages may soon change their image, be "discovered" by people looking for new ways of life through, among others, development of tourism in rural areas, and appreciated by people looking for places for recreation in rural landscape and close to historical monuments. Economic situation, engagement of local communities, authorities and proper spatial management policy have a big influence on the present con-dition of buildings in rural areas, new investments and the protection of numerous valuable architectonic monuments. Many examples confirm that the skill of using the natural assets, elements of national heritage combined with good organisation gives possibilities to deve-lop, among others, the touristic-recreational function of rural areas. Increased tourism in rural areas will lead to the creation of new lodging facilities, gastronomic and commercial services. It will also create the need to improve the sanitary and health conditions in rural settlements improving their aesthetics and infrastructure.

The article presents a problem if creation of larger amount of protected area as a consequence of strong emphasis on environmental protection and desire to live in attractive surroundings are two contradictory statements. In the article, the author tries to indicate possibilities of spatial and legal functioning of a settlement unit situated within a national park. Problems of small villages placed in national parks are shown on the example of Sierakow village in Kampinos national Park. Furthermore, the article presents development conditions of the village and possible decisions which can be made.