Smart growth in less developed regions – the role of EU structural funds on the example of Poland

Abstract

The study sheds more light on the implementation of smart growth and supporting it with public funds by examining the Polish experiences in the period 2007-2016. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges associated with the implantation of smart growth concept in the less developed regions. Secondly, the impact of EU structural funds on smart growth in Poland is analyzed at the regional level with a view to contributing to the debate on public intervention in this area. The author used descriptive analysis, analysis of strategic documents and statistical analysis. Smart growth is particularly challenging for less developed regions. The model reveals that smart growth of Polish regions was increasing after 2007, when the support under EU cohesion policy for innovative solutions has grown considerably. However, among the various factors influencing regional development processes, the impact of structural funds was not as strong as might be expected.

Keywords:

• Smart growth
• EU structural funds
• cohesion policy
• Europe 2020

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Dorota Murzyn is PhD in Political Science and MA in Economics. An associate professor at the Department of Economics and Economic Policy of the Pedagogical University of Cracow (since 2009). Researcher interested mainly in regional development, cohesion policy and its impact in less developed regions, European integration, public finance, economic policy. Author of many publications on EU cohesion policy and its implementation in Poland (including books: Polityka spójności Unii Europejskiej a proces zmniejszania dysproporcji w rozwoju gospodarczym Polski / EU Cohesion Policy and the process of reducing disproportions in the economic development of Poland, Warszawa 2010; Kierunki wpływu funduszy Unii Europejskiej na rozwój inteligentny, zrównoważony i sprzyjający włączeniu społecznemu w Polsce po 2006 roku/ The directions of the impact of EU funds on smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Poland after 2006, Warszawa 2018). Participant of numerous international conferences and seminars on cohesion policy and European integration. Member of Regional Studies Association. Expert on EU structural funds and cohesion policy in TV programs, Telewizja Polska S.A. (Polish Television).

ORCID

Dorota Murzyn http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2032-8401

Notes

1 Due to a lack of data available at the regional level, none of the proposed measures are related to digital economy. However, such measures are also absent among the headline indicators of the EU 2020 strategy, and it should be noted that the present article attempts to measure smart growth rather than development.

2 The topic of measurement of smart growth of European regions was also undertaken by Strahl’s team as part of the research grant entitled: ‘European regional space classification in the perspective of smart growth concept – dynamic approach.’ Based on the results of the review of the EU strategic papers and literature research, a numerical description of smart growth was proposed, using three pillars: innovation, creativity, and smart specialization (for more see: Markowska and Strahl 2012).

3 Poland has been benefiting from EU structural funds from 2004. EU Cohesion Policy has supported innovative solutions for years, but its commitment to smart growth has grown considerably since 2007, with the renewed Lisbon strategy.