*3.3. Hexagon Level*

The ULII for hexagons gives more detailed results. Medians of ULII in particular metropolitan areas vary between 0.15 and 0.25 (Figure 9). These median values are typical of rural types of landscape. The median in US-ZM is higher than in other metropolitan areas (by 0.05 than in MAW and by 0.1 than in PMA). Simultaneously, this is the same value as in RM. The values of ULII in the interquartile range only in US-ZM and RM are typical of rural and transitional types of landscapes. In other metropolitan areas, all values of ULII in the interquartile range are typical of rural types of landscape.

**Figure 9.** The distribution of the values of ULII on the hexagons level.

The values of ULII in the interquartile range are low. The distribution of values of ULII is characterized by right asymmetry, which means that the hexagons with lower values of ULII are dominant. The highest ULII were noted in LMA (0.99) and KMA (0.97). These hexagons occur in midtown in Łod ´z, where continuous urban fabric and road and rail networks and associated land dominate, and in Kraków Nowa Huta where there are industrial or commercial units. Simultaneously, these metropolitan areas are characterised by the highest differentiation of ULII. In the case of RM, the maximal ULII is 0.95 in Essen, where industrial or commercial units dominate and continuous and discontinuous urban fabric, road and rail networks and associated land, and green urban areas occur. This value is higher than in US-ZM, where the maximal ULII is 0.87 in Katowice-Bogucice, where industrial or commercial units occur, but there are also broad-leaved forests. In turn, the lowest ULII in all metropolitan areas is the same (0.09). This concerns the outskirts of metropolitan areas where non-irrigated arable land predominates and, in some parts, pastures occur.

The highest differentiation of ULII in the interquartile range occurs in RM, US-ZM and MAW. The other metropolitan areas are characterized by a higher similarity of ULII values in the interquartile range. The highest values of ULII in the interquartile range occur in RM and US-ZM. MAW also stands out on this score. RM is characterized by the highest differentiation of ULII in the interquartile range, which is similar to US-ZM. The maximal values of ULII in the interquartile range in RM are higher than in US-ZM. However, the lowest values of ULII in the interquartile range are lower than in US-ZM.

Spatial analyses show the concentration of high values of ULII in the center of the metropolitan area in KMA, PMA, LMA, WMA (Figure 10). In KMA, the structure of types of hexagons is evenly concentric with a few exceptions. The intensity pattern of the ULII related to the layout of the main roads is visible there. PMA forms a concentric character, stretching to the east (with Swarz ˛edz and Ko´scian, Figure S1) with numerous small isolated, spotted, scattered high value units and a stronger satellite formed by Gniezno (Figure S1). In LMA there is a clear concentration of the highest values of the ULII in the center of Łód ´z. High values are also reported in Pabianice, Zgierz and Koluszki (Figure S1), forming a triangular system related to the railway line. In WMA, the main city (Wroclaw) is

surrounded by municipalities with a low value of ULII. A few small isolated, spotted, scattered high value units are present, and a small satellite is formed by Ole´snica (Figure S1). In the case of MAW, the structure is stellar and high ULII values are present along the main roads leaving the city. In MAG-G-S, a concentration of high values of ULII is visible along the coast on the line Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot, with Gdynia taking on a more concentric character, and Gdansk having a more even structure. US-ZM and RM urban areas form a wide strip in an east-west direction. In US-ZM, the core is more compact, while in RM the highest value of ULII is more dispersed.

**Figure 10.** The values of ULII in the hexagons.

Spatial analyses of the urban–rural type show the domination of the rural type in most of the research areas (Figures 11 and 12). This domination is especially visible in WMA, where the urban type is concentrated in a small area of the main city with a thin border of the transitional type. Outside the main city, the urban and transitional types are present in a few small spots. A similar situation is observed in MAG-G-S, with urban types located in three main cities and single, dispersed, isolated urban hexagons located in the whole area. Often, they are related to tourist functions (Łeba, Władysławowo, Jastarnia, Ku ´znica, Chałupy). It is significant that, administratively, Chałupy and Ku ´znica are villages. A smaller difference in proportions between urban and rural areas is visible in KMA, LMA and PMA. In PMA, the urban type is concentrated in Pozna ´n, but there are also numerous urban and transitional units dispersed all over the area with a more

concentrated spot in Gniezno. In KMA, the urban type of Krakow is surrounded by the transitional type. In the east, Bochnia has a characteristic concentric arrangemen<sup>t</sup> of urban and transitional types. In LMA, the urban type located in Lodz has a wide border of transitional units. Urban units are also present in Pabianice, Zgierz and the more isolated Koluszki. For US-ZM, a compact east-west urban core spills over into Tychy, Knurów, Ozarowice and Tarnowskie G ˙ óry (Figure S1). The largest share of urban type units is present in RM. The urban core forms a wide strip of units located in several municipalities between rivers: Emsher and Ruhr (i.e., Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Oberhausen, Herne, Gelsenkirchen and Gladbeck, Duisburg). Numerous urban units are also present in Hamm, Hagen and Marl (Figure S1).

**Figure 11.** Types of landscape in hexagons in accordance with ULII.

**Figure 12.** Landscape types in municipalities (M) and hexagons (H).
