There is already much discussion about the Integrated Railway Network – www.zsk.gov.pl – the recently announced, first such comprehensive plan for railway development in Poland🚄🇵🇱.

I am pleased that, thanks to my experience in developing strategies for many cities and municipalities, I participated in the work on this breakthrough plan as a member of the ZSK Scientific Council, representing Wroclaw University of Economics and Business. At the same time, I would like to congratulate the management and experts of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Port Polska, Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., the Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IRMiR), and the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW), who were involved in its development.

I encourage everyone to learn more about ZSK at https://zsk.gov.pl/en/, and below I share a few of my reflections.

1. As with a city or municipal development strategy, ZSK should be legally embedded by giving it its final, formal shape and equipping it with an implementation timetable and adequate financing [continuity beyond electoral terms!], especially from the Railway Fund [reformed!] and EU funds. Without formalisation, it will probably remain more “on paper” than become a reality.

2. As with a city or municipal development strategy, the implementation of ZSK must be evaluated, meaning assessed and – if necessary – adjusted. Poland and the world are changing rapidly, and this is a plan with a 2050 perspective.

3. Polish regional development strategies, supra-local development strategies, and city/municipal development strategies should already take ZSK into account – not only in their functional and spatial structure models, but above all in their development concepts.

4. Establishing a Scientific Council involved in the work on ZSK is a progressive step by the Polish state administration. This approach should be disseminated. Scientist-practitioners should participate in work on development strategies, plans, and programmes at the national, regional, city, and municipal levels, increasing their relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency. Polish academic community should advocate for this. Systemic solutions and legal provisions supporting such participation are also needed.

5. Starting in September, I will be presenting ZSK and the role of the Scientific Council in its development at foreign universities. The level of interest is high!