Spatial Planning System in Poland as an Example of Effective Development of Territorial Communities in Ukraine

Abstract

Spatial planning is one of the most important activities in the evolution of modern society. This process takes place in parallel and is interconnected with the strategic planning of communities and countries. As with other types of planning, spatial planning occurs at the local, regional, national, and international levels. The product of this activity should be a spatial plan that coordinates sectoral policies. The need of conducting a study on the state of spatial planning documentation in Ukraine is justified by the new territorial division of the country resulting from the successful decentralization reform. Furthermore, Ukraine was granted EU candidate status on June 23, 2022, thus prompting an additional need for such a study. The new Ukraine status creates new challenges and entails the obligation to bring all documents to EU standards. Taking into account the socio-economic problems and the intensive preparation of plans for postwar reconstruction in Ukraine, such studies will be highly appropriate. The integration of Ukraine into the European Union requires taking into account the experience of countries that have already reformed their strategic documents and plans in accordance with the EU’s internal demands. The experience of neighboring Poland, an EU member state, can be of most interest and use to Ukraine. The paper presents the current state of spatial planning in Ukraine, including an analysis of the legislative framework. The methods used in the study are described, and the selection of the research subject and the criteria for the selection are justified. The paper includes an analysis of the spatial planning system in Poland at the level of gminas and the availability of mandatory spatial planning documents. The subject of the research at the local level is Gmina Hodel. This gmina is located in the Lublin Voivodeship that borders on Ukraine. The analysis was focused on the Gmina Development Strategy, mandatory spatial planning documents, in particular the Local Spatial Development Plan, as well as the Local Strategy of Local Action Group which is an additional tool for local development. The paper underscores conformity and relationships between spatial planning documents at the local level.