The Evolution of the Planning System in Poland from Sectoral to Integrated Strategic Planning

Abstract

The paper focuses on the evolution of the planning system in Poland. Its purpose is to show the evolution from short-term planning, subordinated to the requirements of the country’s economic development, to a long-term planning system, integrating various aspects of development—spatial, natural, economic, and social, taking place over the last century. The process described in the paper was largely conditioned by historical events, and the poor economic situation of the country in the post-war period and the changes taking place in the political system. The need for rapid economic development of the country dominated the planning of the interwar period (1920s and 1930s) and post-war period (1950s to 1970s), although the economic, social, and natural conditions were taken into account in 1930s spatial planning. The most complete representation of spatial integration of various planning scopes is visible in the “National Spatial Development Concept 2030,” which was the main subject of the study, as the basic document concerning national spatial planning. The research demonstrates the novelty of this document in relation to previous ones. It is based on the vision of Polish space on, the development of functional areas, determined on the basis of socioeconomic and spatial features treated in a dynamic approach. The need for changes in applicable law that would allow the “National Spatial Development Concept 2030” to be implemented in planning practice is also pointed out. The material presented in the paper may form the basis for comparative studies of planning documents on a national level in various European countries.

Major criteria of credible integrated development planning in local government: city of Mbombela, Ehlanzeni District, South Africa

“…For this reason, alignment of IDP and community priorities is required. These sentiments were supported by various scholars (StepSA, 2010; Dlulisa, 2013; Wesolowska et al , 2021) who highlighted the importance of alignment using the implementation of sequential and identification models of the development planning process. Central to the models is the linkage between problem identification and intervention thereto.…”

“…Piotrowicz (2018), with the case of Polish humanitarian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and Ukrainian IDPs, also advances the view that each phase of the IDP should be assessed and adopted before the next phase to strengthen the quality of the entire IDP process value chain. Similarly, again using Poland as an example and the development of planning strategies, Wesolowska et al . (2021) critiqued the transition from short-term planning, subordinated to the necessities of the country's financial development, to a long-term planning system incorporating diverse facets of development.…”