1.3 Objectives and scope

The Act on Spatial Planning and Management from 2003 does not explicitly formulate the objectives of spatial planning and management. It only states that:

  • creating and running spatial policy by bodies of self-government public administration,
  • course of action in cases of earmarking terrain for defined purposes,
  • ways of establishing rules of terrain development and building-up should be a subject to written and legally binding rules.

Spatial planning covers especially:

  • requirements of spatial order, including those of urban science and architecture
  • architectural and landscape qualities
  • environmental requirements , including water management and protection of cultivable soils and forests
  • requirements of preservation of cultural heritage and modern cultural achievements
  • requirements of health care, safety of people and property, and also needs of the disabled
  • economic qualities of space
  • ownership title
  • security and defence needs of the state
  • public purpose needs.

The scope of spatial management in Poland covers all spatial scales (from a national to a local one) and follows the three levels of territorial division of the country (state, voivodships and communes). It also comprises all kinds of activities involving management/development and building-up of an area. Spatial planning covers also maritime areas of the Republic of Poland.

Any action within spatial management should aspire to introduce spatial order and ensure sustainable development.

The spatial order is understood as a target state of spatial management, where the conflicts resulting from developmental processes are minimized and where the harmoniously composed landscape is achieved by preserving its local cultural and environmental identity.

Sustainable development is understood as a social-economic development, where aspiration for the highest possible standard of living of the citizens allows for minimizing the impact on the environment. It makes it possible both for the present and future generations to have their developmental needs met.