Publications

“Local government is a fundamental form of organisation of local public life. Units of local government have a legal personality as communities of residents of a given territory existing by virtue of law. Local government carries out a lion’s share of public tasks under statutory law, with the exception of those reserved by law for government administration. Units of local government carry out their public duties in their own name and on their own responsibility in order to satisfy the needs of their residents.” (Constitutional Act on Relations between the Legislature and the Executive of the Republic of Poland and on Local Government of 17 October 1992, Polish Journal of Laws Dz.U. of 1992, No. 84, item 426 as amended, Article 70 (1 and 2) and Article 71 (1 and 2)).

The administrative reform of the state of 1998 materially amended the territorial division of Poland. Key legal acts were passed in the following order:

On 5 June 1998, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland passed:

the Act on District-level Local Government,the Act on Province-level Local Government, andthe Act on Government Administration within a Province.

On 24 July 1998,the reform was supplemented by the enactment of:

the Act on the Introduction of the Basic Three-tier Territorial Division of the State,the Act on the Amendment of Some Other Acts Specifying the Competencies of the Bodies of Public Administration – with Regard to the Administrative Reform of the State.

On 13 October 1998, the Act – Provisions Implementing Acts Reforming the Public Administration, which was a streamlining act, was passed.

The reform entered into force on 1 January 1999 and only then district-level and province-level local government was established (commune-level local government had already been functioning earlier, since 1990). Thanks to these changes, a dualism of power was brought back, dividing it clearly into government administration and local government. Subsequent acts clarified the division of competencies and responsibilities between various bodies.

In June 2026, the ESPON seminar entitled Mind the Gap: Addressing Cognitive Distance to Territorial Cohesion was held in Larnaca, Cyprus in cooperation with the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The event was attended by representatives of the Masovian Office for Regional Planning in Warsaw. It brought together participants from public administrations across Europe, as well as the academic community, working on EU cohesion policy, regional development, and innovation. The seminar focused on regional disparities, which have gained particular prominence in the context of the ongoing discussions on the future of EU cohesion policy beyond 2027.

The plenary sessions focused on strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of European regions in response to growing economic, geopolitical and environmental challenges. Speakers emphasised the need to build resilience through structural modernisation, innovation and stronger integration into European value chains, while promoting development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Participants were also introduced to the work of the AE4RIA network on shaping the post-2030 development agenda.

Another key topic was the role of regional capabilities and interregional cooperation. Discussions highlighted that regional development should build on existing knowledge assets and competences, while cooperation should facilitate access to complementary resources and support smart specialisation. It was also noted that the potential for interregional cooperation in the European Union remains underutilised and requires a more strategic, place-based and activity-specific approach to partner selection.

The seminar also presented the latest findings from the ESPON ACCORD project, which explores ways to reduce knowledge and innovation gaps between European regions through stronger regional innovation systems and interregional cooperation. Participants emphasised the important role of regional authorities in fostering innovation networks and noted that Europe’s long-term competitiveness depends on regions’ ability to anticipate and respond to emerging societal, economic and technological challenges.

The results of the ESPON STARTER project were also presented, highlighting the territorial implications of the European Union’s Open Strategic Autonomy concept. The project examined the effects of supply diversification, free trade agreements and geopolitical disruptions on regional development. The findings indicate that coordinated EU action, particularly under the REPowerEU strategy, is more effective than individual national measures in strengthening energy security and mitigating increases in energy prices.

A separate panel focused on the specific characteristics of island regions. Participants highlighted that the geographical conditions associated with insularity affect competitiveness, accessibility and territorial cohesion, ultimately influencing residents’ quality of life. It was also emphasised that effectively addressing these barriers is essential to unlocking the full development potential of island regions and island states.

The seminar also included workshops dedicated to digital transformation, the green transition, and housing and development pressure on open land.

The digital transformation workshop presented the findings of the ESPON DIGIREG project, which assesses the level of digital transformation across European regions, as well as the ESPON LORDIMAS interactive tool supporting local, metropolitan and regional authorities in evaluating digital technology adoption. Participants also learned about the ESPON DHAK project, which explores the role of digital assistants in reducing digital inequalities and strengthening digital cohesion.

The green transition session focused on industrial transformation and climate adaptation. It featured the findings of the ESPON RE-INDUSTRY, GILL and READAPT projects, covering the development of green and energy-intensive industries, planning for green infrastructure and the implementation of Nature-based Solutions. Discussions highlighted the need for national and EU support for industrial transformation, as well as persistent gaps in local environmental data and climate adaptation policies.

The housing session summarised the findings of the ESPON HOUSE4ALL and METROLAND projects on housing disparities across Europe, the causes of the housing crisis and opportunities to reduce land take through more efficient use of existing housing stock. The discussion emphasised the importance of spatial analysis and place-based housing policies, and showcased good practices from the URBACT programme aimed at improving housing affordability and the efficient use of existing housing resources. Participation in the ESPON seminar provided an opportunity to learn about the latest research findings and current directions in European territorial policy. The event also offered valuable insights into the activities of the ESPON programme and its role as a European platform supporting evidence-based policymaking through territorial analysis and the exchange of experience between countries and regions. Participation in the seminar reaffirmed the importance of the active involvement of Poland and its regions in ESPON initiatives and of making use of the research findings and good practices developed within the programme.

We would like to inform you that the 57th issue of the periodical MAZOVIA Regional Studies has already been published. In this issue you will find articles on the Transatlantic Radio Station in Babice and on a model vision for improving transport efficiency in Zakopane. We cordially invite you to read a study on the granting and revocation of municipal charters in Mazovia and on an interesting analysis of the real estate market transactions in the Siedlce functional urban area. The issue is supplemented by reports from meetings and conferences and an essay on various aspects of packaging design.

We bid you a pleasant reading experience.

In this issue:

The Transatlantic Radio Station in Babice as a landscape dominant and a symbol of modernity of the Second Polish RepublicA model vision for improving transport efficiency – the case study of ZakopaneThe granting and revocation of municipal charters in Mazovia from the Middle Ages to the present dayReal estate market transactions in the Siedlce functional urban area in the years 2016–2023Sustainable development as a prerequisite for the operation of rural tourismA report on the Sustainable Industry Lab 2026 conferenceSeminar: The Role of Urban Parks in Modifying City ClimateAesthetic, communicative and environmental aspects of packaging design

Conference: TRUST, COOPERATION, INTEGRATION, PROJECT CHALLENGES – From Integrated Territorial Investments to a lasting partnership with local authorities.

The conference organised in May 2026 by the Warsaw Metropolis Association focused on the current and future challenges facing local authorities in shaping a development policy for metropolitan areas. The meeting was attended by representatives of metropolitan areas, urban functional areas, cities and communes from various regions of Poland, as well as representatives of the academic community and experts specialising in metropolitan issues. The event provided a forum for the exchange of experience and debate on the future of Polish cities in the context of setting new directions for an urban policy.

The results of the implementation of Integrated Territorial Investments (Zintegrowane Inwestycje Terytorialne, ZIT) under the 2014–2020 financial framework were presented along with the initial outcomes of ZIT under the 2021–2027 framework. It was pointed out that the key to these successes lies in the role of a leader and mutual trust between the 40 entities that make up the metropolitan area. Participants also discussed the future of metropolitan cooperation in the context of institutional and financial changes. Participants in the debate emphasised that the cooperation mechanisms developed to date, partners’ experience and relationships forged between local authorities and the academic community may ensure the continuity of activities despite future challenges. During the panel discussion on the future of a cohesion policy after 2027, the challenges associated with the European Union’s new financial framework for 2028–2034 were discussed. The discussion highlighted the need to ensure an adequate budget for the implementation of territorial instruments, as well as the need to swiftly define investment priorities and the rules for funding undertakings.

During the conference, it was stressed that cooperation beyond administrative boundaries is becoming particularly important in the face of depopulation, an ageing population and increasing suburbanisation. Attention was drawn to the fact that the development of functional areas requires not only joint funding of undertakings, but also the maintenance of the capacity for joint planning and responding to emerging challenges.

On 24 April 2026, a conference titled A Mindful Senior – Health Without Addiction took place in the Mazovian Museum in Płock, organised on the initiative of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Local Government and the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Council of Seniors. The event was attended by representatives of the Mazovian Office of Regional Planning in Warsaw, Branch Office in Płock. During the meeting, issues relating to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of addiction among the elderly were discussed.

The conference was opened by Adam Struzik, Marshal of Mazowieckie Voivodeship, who emphasised the importance of educational and preventive measures aimed at the elderly in the context of demographic challenges. The speakers were practitioners from the fields of medicine, psychology and pharmacology who work with the elderly on a daily basis. The elderly are an extremely important group, both socially and economically, which is why the issues raised during the conference represent key challenges for contemporary social and health policy. A key agenda item was a presentation by the Director of the Department of Health and Social Policy of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Marshal’s Office, Agnieszka Gonczaryk, PhD, who set out projects and actions realised in this area by the Department. During the meeting, discussions also raised an issue of spending free time in a ways that promote an improved quality of life and mental wellbeing among the elderly, as well as building and strengthening local networks of cooperation. The activity of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Council of Seniors was also discussed, including its role as an advisory and consultative body on matters relating to senior policy.

We would like to inform you that the 56th issue of the periodical MAZOVIA Regional Studies has already been published. This issue features a number of captivating historical articles – you can read about the introduction of classificatory numbering for plots of land in Warsaw, the former Officers’ Casino of Modlin Fortress and spatial planning in Poland in the years 1946–1961. We also cordially invite you to read the study on culture as a factor in the socio-economic development. The issue is supplemented by reports from events dedicated to energy transformation. We wish you an enjoyable reading experience.

In this issue:

The introduction of classificatory numbering for plots of land in Warsaw in 1784 as partArchaeological research in the vicinity of the former Officers’ Casino of Modlin Fortress100 years of spatial planning in Poland by way of example of Warsaw. The years 1946–1961Culture as a factor in the socio-economic development: Trends in Mazowieckie VoivodeshipESPON Seminar: Making Space for the Renewable Energy TransitionRelation from the 20th Forum of Transmission System Operators and Energy and Fuel Consumers: Warsaw Energy Technology – Achievements and Challenges