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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Public Participation in Planning Processes Under the Confinement Regime: Perspectives of Municipality Urban Planning Offices in Poland

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The lockdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic (March – June 2020) affected not only the economy, but also the functioning of the administration, and thus procedures connected with spatial planning. Spatial planning at the local level, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity enshrined in the Polish constitution, belongs to the so-called “commune’s own tasks”1. Formal spatial planning procedures in Poland, equipped with administrative, technical consulting apparatus, were subjected to stress testing during the pandemic. The crisis situation not only highlighted their weaknesses unprecedentedly, but also showed new opportunities and caused changes in conducting procedures. The discussion on issues of deliberativeness and communication in planning theory that has been going on for decades has been enriched with many new practical experiences in just a few months. Although the research regarding this period is just beginning, it is already known that the conclusions drawn from it will affect the future shape of the planning system. Various reactions of local governments to an unusual situation constitute a reservoir of diagnoses, problems and practical solutions that should be taken into account in the discussion. This paper presents the results of qualitative research conducted during the confinement regime. It is focused on the issues of self-government spatial planning units’ work organisation and connected with these changes in the shape of the consultation processes conducted. Research has focused on issues related to the organisation of work of local planning units, supporting digital technology and related changes in the shape of consultative processes.