Region of Strong Cities

Abstract

The text describes historical factors behind the development of cities in Dolny Śląsk and indicates the possible role of the state in supporting such development in the 21st century. It proposes understanding the city as a point enabling access to public services. This points serves not only the inhabitants of the city but also people from its surroundings. The rank of a city in the settlement network of the country may be shaped by the territorial scope of its influence and the character of public services available in this urban area. The rank of a city in turn defines its role in the public policy of regional and state level authorities. Cities – understood as nodes of urban networks rather than closed communities of citizens – should facilitate defining the spatial aspect of the state’s public policies. In a longer perspective this will enable reducing the meaning of the paradigm of regional policy.