The influence of Natura 2000 sites on the investment attractiveness of Polish regions

This article evaluates the influence of the Natura 2000 network (N2K) of protected areas on the investment attractiveness of Polish regions. Natura 2000 sites were analyzed with the use of the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a linear ordering method with a common pattern and anti-pattern of development, and correlation analysis (Pearson’s correlation coefficient). The basic unit of analysis was the county (Polish: powiat, the second-level unit of local government and administration in Poland). Poland is divided into 16 regions (known as voivodeships) with a total of 380 counties. The results of the analysis were used to determine synthetic values describing the level and potential of investment attractiveness in Polish counties, and the strength of correlations between the evaluated phenomena. Indicators of investment attractiveness of Polish counties were selected based on published data and analyzed in view of several criteria: labor resources, technical infrastructure, social infrastructure, market support and administrative support. The correlations between the investment attractiveness of Polish counties and the presence of N2K sites in those counties were analyzed statistically. Data for analysis were acquired from the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office. The analysis revealed that the presence of N2K sites in the examined territorial units does not significantly influence their investment attractiveness