The Analysis of the Development Strategies of Selected Local Government Units, Including Types of Communes

Abstract

This operation is aimed at economic growth, meeting the needs of local communities, creating new practical values of the commune, and improving the already existing ones. Local government units are a major reference point for the local development. The aim of this paper is to check whether the type of selected municipalities, urban-rural and rural units influences the direction of local development, as it is in the case of practical values of the unit, available natural resources, and funds. To meet this end, an analysis of the development strategies of three different communal units was made: Krakow municipality, Kęty rural-urban commune, and Klucze rural commune. Based on a comparison of strategic and operational objectives included within the strategies, the hypothesis which claims that the type of units adopted to be analyzed influence the direction of their local development was confirmed. In their objectives of development strategies, all of the studied units emphasize the need to take action for economic development, education, and housing. However, the remaining strategic and operational objectives are divergent. The most significant difference was noticed between the municipality and the rural unit. Their targets range from fulfilling the need for international promotion of the city, to the necessity of ensuring the residents access to water and sewer systems. The conclusions derived from this analysis will allow further research. Its effect is to facilitate the selection of appropriate tools for local development in relation to a certain administrative unit.