Poland

Poland

Country Introduction

Poland is a parliamentary republic of unitary territorial organisation (i.e. non-federal) with a growing role for self-governments. There are self-governmental authorities at the regional, county and local levels of public administration. But all legislative powers and a substantial proportion of the executive power emanates from the central state institutions.

The governmental agency responsible for the general coordination and standardisation of Polish physical planning is the Ministry of Infrastructure (MI). But responsibility for the national physical (or spatial) development policy and other planning forms at this level lies with the Government Centre for Strategic Studies (GCSS). Another planning-related authority at the central level is the Ministry of Environment (ME), responsible for so-called ‘protection plans’, prepared for the National and Landscape (regional) Parks. Those plans do not however belong to the category of spatial plans in the sense of the Physical Development Act. In terms of environmental issues surrounding the actual spatial plans, ME has certain guiding and control duties.

 

Key Literature 

Land Use and Development (25/06/2008) 

Polish regulatory framework and democratic rule of law standards
There is a widespread belief in Poland that the spatial planning system is not working well. In the opnion of, Hubert Izdebski, Aleksander Nelicki and Igor Zachariasz the fundamental reason for the bad situation is an incorrectly formulated regulatory framwork.

The goal of this research is: to ascertain the extent to which the making and applying of spatial planning law at local level in Poland meets democratic rule of law standards, and to ascertain any desired direction changes.

 

Relevant Websites (click on heading to go to website)

EUKN 
Sharing high quality knowledge and experience is a key ingredient in the shaping and determination of effective urban policy. The European Urban Knowledge Network’s primary aim is to connect European cities and facilitate the provision of knowledge at every level. The added value of exchanging urban expertise and stimulating co-operation within Europe is of great importance. It strengthens cities and enables them to make a sustained and powerful contribution to the economic, environmental and social success of Europe as a whole.

Through the EUKN, a sustainable and effective urban knowledge network has been created. The EUKN connects existing networks to offer multiple-level access and the sharing of knowledge. It does so by providing stakeholders and end users with high quality urban knowledge that is universally reliable, relevant and of practical use. By stimulating participation, collaboration and exchange. At the same time, the EUKN is more than just a knowledge network. It offers a range of associated support services to participants, and provide specific and practical assistance to National Focal Points. It organises conferences, meetings, seminars and exchange programmes for experts.

Republic of Poland 
Official website of the Polish government.