ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the evolution of spatial planning in Poland since the fall of the Soviet bloc in 1989. The chapter reflects upon the various driving forces that influenced this evolution, among which are the transition from plan to market, the growing influence of foreign investors and the increasing influence of the European Union. It presents the various spatial planning tools produced at various territorial levels. The chapter points out how Polish experts and policymakers are increasingly engaged within the European spatial planning discourse. It reflects the horizontal and vertical integration of the Polish spatial planning system, pointing out the fracture existing between National and regional strategic activities, that highly reflect the influence of the EU discourse and expenditure policy, and local practices, that keeps being dependent on market forces. The chapter suggests how, at the local level, a weak civic sector and limited community participation are combined with the intensive pressure executed by private sector developers on local authorities.
