The challenges of local development and priorities of mayors and presidents of Polish cities – convergence or dissonance?

Abstract

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to identify the key urban development challenges in Poland and to verify the opinions of Polish mayors about them. Research method – The research used the quantitative method in the form of a survey conducted among 460 leaders of Polish cities together with desk research analysis including the data from the official statistics and reports from 2014-2018. Results – It was established that in their political agendas mayors include the postulates presenting a traditional approach to sustainable development, which is directed at the economy, society and the environment, but underestimates environmental issues. They are not aware of the new development challenges, but focus on the traditional, infrastructural and economic priorities. Originality / value – For the first time in Poland the results of comprehensive research on the priorities of city development that were declared by mayors are presented. They include the latest determinants for sustainable development, such as: the technological revolution, the management of ethnical and cultural diversity in urban communities, the depopulation and degradation of city centres and also circular economics. The findings of the research fill an existing gap in knowledge about the city leaders’ points of view on the challenges facing modern cities and thus define a political climate for the implementation of the principles of sustainable development.