The COVID-19 pandemic and the directions of changes in the Polish spatial management system

Introduction/background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed many conditions for the functioning of local government units. This also applies to the sphere related to the spatial management system. Both formal and informal institutions play an important role in this system. The circumstances related to the pandemic give rise to the question of the scope of necessary modifications. Of course, the point is not to forcibly change most of the provisions (which, moreover, already required at least a fragmentary amendment) or impose new practices from above (the more so as such actions would only be effective to a limited extent). Aim of the paper: The aim of the article is to determine – on the basis of theses and conclusions made in literature on the subject covering various countries – the key directions of changes in the Polish spatial management system in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic (and its consequences). Materials and methods: The optimal scope of changes in the Polish spatial management system in relation to the pandemic was determined (treating statutory changes separately and changes related to planning practice separately), as well as their connection with the previously presented concepts of integrated development policy and flexibility in planning. In the face of the diagnosed challenges, the optimal directions for further discussion and possible directions of changes in regulations concerning the spatial management system were indicated. Results and conclusions: The issues associated with the pandemic further expose a number of previously diagnosed spatial planning problems. At the same time, they allow for a more precise orientation of both the optimal directions of legal (and informal) changes, as well as further scientific discussion. It should be noted that at this stage, we rely, to a large extent, on more general diagnoses