Interconnected cityscapes symbolizing regional planning in Poland.

Planning Poland: How Regional Plans Shape Settlement Networks

Avery Sinclair in Politics & Policy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into Polish spatial development plans and their impact on creating balanced and thriving communities."

Regional planning has a long history in Poland, dating back to before World War II. After a period of centralized control, Poland established self-governed regions in 1999, creating a need for effective regional development plans. These plans, known as voivodeship spatial development plans, are crucial for defining the basic structure of settlement networks – how cities, towns, and villages connect and function together.

However, Polish law doesn't offer detailed guidelines on what these settlement networks should look like. This lack of specific regulations has led to a diverse range of approaches across different regions. Some plans focus on service provision, while others prioritize overall development. This inconsistency raises questions about the effectiveness and readability of these plans for guiding regional policy.

This article explores the different models used in Polish regional plans to define settlement networks. It will examine how these models classify centers (cities and towns), assess the clarity of these classifications, and consider their practical use in shaping regional development. By understanding these challenges, we can pave the way for more effective and strategic regional planning in Poland.

Decoding Settlement Network Models in Poland's Regional Plans

Interconnected cityscapes symbolizing regional planning in Poland.

Polish regional plans utilize various models to define settlement networks, differing in the number of levels (from 2 to 5) and the naming of centers. These variations can be classified into types based on two key criteria: level of services and importance in development.

When plans classify centers as "sub-regional," they are likely referring to service centers where sub-regional services are concentrated. Centers named "supra-regional" or "regional," on the other hand, are classified based on their significance in development or their role in the region's spatial structure. However, it's often unclear what these hierarchical names truly mean for development.

Varied Classifications: Settlement networks in regional plans are classified based on either the level of services provided or their importance in development.
Inconsistent Identification: Some regional plans fail to identify all poviat (county) centers in the settlement network, even though these centers exist administratively.
Readability Issues: The author's examination of sub-regional service centers revealed problems with the readability of settlement networks in regional plans.

To address these issues, regional plans should clearly define two types of centers: hierarchical service centers and non-hierarchical development centers. These centers should be further distinguished by their role in activating surrounding areas, their level of development, and the specific actions needed to support their growth. This more precise classification system could improve the effectiveness of regional policy.

Moving Forward: Recommendations for Enhanced Regional Planning

The current inconsistencies in how settlement networks are defined in Polish regional plans hinder their effectiveness as tools for guiding development and service localization. Many plans suffer from overly general language, making it difficult to translate them into actionable strategies.

To improve this situation, regional plans need to clearly distinguish between hierarchical service centers and non-hierarchical development centers. This distinction should be based on a center's role in its surrounding area, its current level of development, and the specific policy interventions required to support its growth.

Further research is needed to compare settlement network definitions in regional plans across different countries. Examining the roles of regional plans and settlement network models in the localization of services will provide valuable insights for improving regional planning practices in Poland and beyond.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1088/1757-899x/245/4/042083, Alternate LINK

Title: Settlement Networks In Polish Spatial Development Regional Plans

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

Publisher: IOP Publishing

Authors: Jacek Sołtys

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are voivodeship spatial development plans intended to do in Poland?

Voivodeship spatial development plans in Poland are designed to define the structure of settlement networks, which outline how cities, towns, and villages connect and function together within a region. These plans are intended to guide regional policy by establishing a framework for development and service provision across the voivodeship. However, the effectiveness of these plans is challenged by the lack of specific legal guidelines, leading to inconsistencies in how settlement networks are defined and implemented across different regions.

How do Polish regional plans classify centers within settlement networks, and what are the main classification criteria?

Polish regional plans use varied models to classify centers within settlement networks, primarily based on the level of services provided or the importance of the center in regional development. Classifications range from 'sub-regional' centers (focused on service provision) to 'supra-regional' or 'regional' centers (based on developmental significance). The inconsistency in these classifications and the lack of clear definitions for hierarchical levels often obscure the practical implications for development and policy implementation.

What key issues affect the readability and effectiveness of settlement networks defined in Polish regional plans?

Several issues affect the readability and effectiveness of settlement networks in Polish regional plans. These include inconsistent identification of all poviat (county) centers, lack of clear definitions for hierarchical classifications (like 'sub-regional' or 'supra-regional'), and overly general language that hinders the translation of plans into actionable strategies. These challenges limit the ability of regional plans to effectively guide development and service localization.

What improvements are needed to enhance regional planning and the classification of centers in Poland?

To enhance regional planning, a clearer distinction between hierarchical service centers and non-hierarchical development centers is needed. These centers should be further differentiated based on their role in activating surrounding areas, their current level of development, and the specific actions required to support their growth. Such a precise classification system can lead to more targeted and effective regional policies.

What are the potential consequences of the inconsistencies found in Poland's voivodeship spatial development plans?

The current inconsistencies in Poland's voivodeship spatial development plans can result in ineffective guidance for regional development. With unclear definitions and varied approaches, the plans may fail to address the specific needs of different regions, leading to unbalanced development and inefficient service provision. Addressing these inconsistencies through clearer regulations and standardized classification systems is crucial for achieving balanced and thriving communities across Poland.