Economic Consequences of Adopting Local Spatial Development Plans for the Spatial Management System: The Case of Poland

Abstract

The spatial management system in Poland struggles with serious costs as a consequence of local planning. The problem is the lack of appropriate value capturing mechanisms and cost compensation for municipalities, along with significant burdens. Private property is subject to special protection, but the public good is less valued. The article attempts to assess the situation in Poland, recalling also the experiences of spatial management systems from other European countries. It combines legal, economic, and geographical perspectives. The specific objectives were demonstration of geographical (interregional and functional) regularities related to the economic (financial) consequences of adopting local plans and identification of financial effects resulting from the implementation of local plans in communes, i.e., in particular, their size, structure of revenues (income), and expenditures, in relations with the budgets of municipalities and the population living in communes. First, the determinants of spatial policy were defined in the context of institutional economics and the real estate market. Then, a unique database of forecasted and realized budgetary revenues and expenditures of 2477 communes in Poland related to spatial development (infrastructure construction, land transformation, purchase, etc.) was analyzed statistically. Additionally, for five selected communes of different functional types, this issue was examined in detail. It has been shown that municipalities do not derive adequate income from spatial development, and improper policy of local self-governments results in heavy burdens, threatening to disturb their financial balance. The formulated conclusions regarding the legal, economic, and spatial mechanisms may contribute to building tools (instruments) for more effective spatial management in various countries.

The Legal, Administrative, and Governance Frameworks of Spatial Policy, Planning, and Land Use: Interdependencies, Barriers, and Directions of Change

“…The objective of the study by Śleszy ński et al [45] was to demonstrate geographical (interregional and functional) regularities related to the economic (financial) effects of adopting local plans. They also aimed to identify the financial effects of implementing local plans in municipalities, i.e., their size, the structure of income (revenue) and expenditure relating to municipal budgets, and the population living in municipalities.…”

The Legitimacy of Preparing a Financial Impact Forecast of Adopting Local Spatial Development Plan in Poland

“…Przeprowadzone analizy wskazują na kilka istotnych prawidłowości związanych z efektami finansowymi dla obowiązujących miejscowych planów w Polsce. Wpływy i wydatki związane z efektami przyjęcia planów miejscowych stanowią wysoki odsetek całkowitych przychodów i wydatków budżetów gmin (Śleszyński, P.;Nowak, i inni., 2021, s. 19).…”

Photovoltaic Solar Energy from Urban Sprawl: Potential for Poland

“…Another issue is an increase in the costs of satisfying the needs of technical infrastructure [26]. Problems arise on the border between private property and public goods [27]. Independently of systemic solutions in spatial policies, externalities have an impact on market systems.…”