According to Poland’s minister of construction, Miroslaw Barszcz, one of the most important factors driving up housing prices in Poland is the absence of local zoning plans.
According to Poland’s minister of construction, Miroslaw Barszcz, one of the most important factors driving up housing prices in Poland is the absence of local zoning plans. Only 20-30% of potential development space in most large urban centres is covered by such plans, according to figures quoted by the minister at a recent press conference. The worst culprit is Kielce, where this indicator stands at a mere 3.5%, followed by Rzeszow (5.7%) and Krakow (approx. 10%). On a brighter note, zoning plans in Gdansk embrace 52% of all land lying within the city’s boundaries. Mr Barszcz stressed that real estate prices are rising fastest in those cities were zoning plans are most scarce. Also, within towns and cities themselves, property tends to be more expensive in those districts where no zoning plans are in place. The minister also pointed out that a new housing investment bill, currently being drafted by a parliamentary sub-committee, will lay the groundwork for more simplified zoning plan procedures. The government bill also does away with mandatory construction permits for houses with no more than 5,000 m² of useable space and up to 12 metres high. Contrary to fears articulated by architects and urban planners, the minister believes that the new regulations will not have a negative impact on Poland’s spatial order. Mr Barszcz also stressed that municipalities will still have some say in setting the requirements necessary to ensure balanced development at the local level. The bill is aimed at unburdening municipalities of excessive red tape, which often paralyses the work of local government planning departments.
