Małgorzata Barbara Havel

The post-communist period in Poland has been characterised by extensive liberalisation of spatial planning and a lack of coherent land policy. In recent years, the state has attempted to address problems arising from this liberalisation, but paradoxically, instead of strengthening the planning system and establishing a coherent land policy, it has further complicated the system by enacting various lex specialis—laws that take precedence over general planning regulations. Among these, the special Housing Act which aimed at facilitating housing development, has been particularly contested by the planning community. This act permits exceptions to established land use plans, but also imposes requirements on developers, particularly concerning the provision of urban infrastructure, which were previously non-existent. Additionally, the act has introduced the possibility of negotiations between municipalities and the developers. This chapter examines a case of successful application of the act, demonstrating its potential to foster housing development alongside the provision of public infrastructure. The case exemplifies the evolution of planning liberalisation and the reactive land policy at the municipal level.

Prognozy demograficzne wskazują na nasilający się proces starzenia się społeczeństwa. W odpowiedzi na potrzeby seniorów miasta opracowują polityki senioralne, które, aby nie pozostać tylko w sferze wytycznych, potrzebują wsparcia realizacyjnego. Celem niniejszych badań było wskazanie możliwości poprawienia implementacji polityki senioralnej poprzez jej integrację z polityką przestrzenną w zakresie tworzenia przydomowych ogrodów społecznych. Na przykładzie Warszawy zbadano wymagania przestrzenne w polityce senioralnej miasta oraz, na podstawie studium przypadku, zasady realizacji polityki dzierżawienia gruntów miejskich. Zbadano również uwarunkowania prawa planowania przestrzennego i gospodarki nieruchomościami wspierające lub mogące potencjalnie wspierać politykę senioralną w zakresie tworzenia przydomowych ogrodów społecznych. Podążając za współczesnym, zintegrowanym podejściem do realizacji polityk miejskich, zaproponowano innowacyjne połączenie wspomnianych dwu polityk.

Land policies are commonly used to contribute to the implementation of the public policy of land-use planning (or spatial planning). In this sense, a spatially efficient land policy must allow the planning systems to achieve the land uses promoted by strategic planning. In addition to their role in land-use planning, land policies also contribute to public finance policies. From this perspective, a socioeconomically efficient land policy must allow public authorities to capture land value. The research presented in this article aimed to contribute to planning theory by initiating a reflection on the interactions between spatial and socioeconomic efficiency in land policy. In our view, to consider those two dimensions in a more integrated way can help in the development of the growing research field on land value capture. Our research is based on the general assumption that there are processes of mutual strengthening and blockages between spatial efficiency and socioeconomic efficiency in land policy. In order to test this assumption, an international comparison methodology was developed. In order to develop a robust methodological approach, our exploratory comparative approach is based on a theoretical framework that depicts an ideal planning system. This ideal planning system serves as a benchmark for two empirical case studies on Norway and Belgium. Through our research, we find evidence of the interdependency of spatial efficiency and socioeconomic efficiency. The results of the two case studies therefore indicate that our initial assumption is generally confirmed. However further investigations are needed to deepen our exploratory discussion of the topic.