zabudowany

Zabudowany is a Polish adjective describing land or areas that are occupied by buildings and densely developed. It characterizes places where permanent architecture, infrastructure, and housing predominate, as opposed to rural or undeveloped land. The term is commonly used in geography, urban planning, and cartography.

Etymology and grammar: The word derives from the verb zabudować, meaning to build around or to enclose with buildings. As an adjective, it agrees with the noun in gender and number: zabudowany (masculine singular), zabudowana (feminine singular), zabudowane (neuter singular or plural). In plural, forms include zabudowani (masculine personal) and zabudowane (other plurals).

Usage and meaning: In planning documents, zoning, and maps, tereny zabudowane or obszar zabudowany denotes areas where building is present and developed. The related noun zabudowa refers to the built environment—the collection of buildings and associated infrastructure.

Examples and nuance: A miasto zabudowane means a city with a dense built environment, while tereny zabudowane generally refers to built-up areas as a category in maps or plans. The term is often contrasted with niezabudowany or nie zabudowywany, meaning undeveloped or sparsely built land.

See also: zabudowa, zabudowa mieszkaniowa, zabudowanie, urbanizacja.