The article discusses selected issues concerning the influence of ecophysiographic determinants on functional-spatial and socio-economic development in rural areas. Ecological, economic and social processes that have been taking place for the past few decades are examined in the context of the development of local self-governments and transformation of economic processes into market oriented economy following socioeconomic changes in Poland. The process of intense urbanization of the countryside is a common phenomenon that occurs specifically in rural areas that are within the impact zone of a big city. It is caused by i.a. human migration into rural areas as well as by development of areas of business activation. These tendencies, which occur both in the social and economic context, greatly affect ecological processes. Expansion of land development and the ensuing further development of necessary technical infrastructure give rise to numerous problems in natural environment. Ecophysiographic determinants play a vital role in the pursuit of sustainable development of the countryside in the aspect of threats that result from excessive urbanization of rural areas. The author discusses these issues on the example of a study of the village of Lubasz in the wielkopolskie voivodeship.