The concept of territorial cohesion as understood and practiced by Polish regions

Tomasz Komornicki () and Jacek Zaucha ()
Additional contact information
Tomasz Komornicki: Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
Jacek Zaucha: Institute for Development, Sopot, Poland

No 1502, Working Papers from Instytut Rozwoju, Institute for Development

Abstract: In the paper, the results of research on integration of various aspects of development in Polish voivodships are shown with a particular reference to territorial capital. An answer is sought to the question, “to what extent and how the Polish regions managed to successfully follow/implement the paradigm of territorial cohesion. For this purpose the findings of a questionnaire survey study, conducted with the offices responsible for a broadly understood development of voivodships were made use of. The research reveals that representatives of regional authorities are relatively well acquainted with issues relating to territorial cohesion, but their understanding of this concept is generally narrower than that found in theoretical studies. Territorial cohesion is rightly associated with conducting spatial policy, as well as with utilization of endogenous development factors. At the level of definition the majority of voivodships underline the role of endogenous factors for growth, but as regards the shape of their intraregional policy more traditional approach is widely prevalent. Regions see their internal spatial policy as nothing but delimitation of areas. This takes place based on negative criteria (referring to “problem areas” that were formerly identified). A lack of integrative approach is also typical. Territory fails to be treated as a subject of integrative policy, and, as well, as an opportunity that can be used to overcome the sectoral divisions. It is rather treated as a tool for achieving other goals. Simultaneously, however, an evolution in approach (forced by the EU regulations) is clearly visible, which forms the basis for more territorial-based policy on the regional level.

Keywords: territorial capital; regional development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: R11 R12 R13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24 pages
Date: 2015-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-tra and nep-ure
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.instytut-rozwoju.org/WP/IR_WP2015_02.pdf First version, 2015

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iro:wpaper:1502

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Working Papers from Instytut Rozwoju, Institute for Development Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Tomasz Brodzicki ( this e-mail address is bad, please contact ).