Poland’s Ministry has detailed plans for the Urban Registry, a central database for spatial planning documents, slated to launch on July 1, 2026.
Urban Registry Launch Details
The Urban Registry is a key component of spatial planning reforms, introducing a new general plan document. The registry will eventually contain all spatial planning acts, including general plans, local plans, and landscape resolutions.
Regulation of the Urban Registry
The Minister of Finance and Economy has published a draft regulation governing the Urban Registry. This regulation will define the system’s operation and data requirements.
Registry Functionality
The Urban Registry will be a teleinformatic system designed to collect, update, and share spatial planning information and data. It will facilitate the creation of spatial datasets, metadata, and provide search, browsing, and download capabilities.
Registry Components
The registry will consist of several panels, including a management panel for data input and updates. A component dedicated to spatial planning acts will provide access to spatial data, such as general and local plans. It will also include a repository of information, a notification system, and an e-Extract service for general municipal plans.
e-Extract Service Details
The e-Extract service will generate PDF documents covering a user-selected area within a municipality. Access to personal data within the registry will be restricted to authorized personnel only.
Data Requirements and Access
The draft regulation specifies detailed information and data requirements for legal acts, official documents, and individual documents. Information will be available for download and through the e-Extract service.
Expert Opinion: A Positive Step
Experts view the Urban Registry as a positive development, particularly for property owners and those involved in the investment and construction process. Currently, spatial planning information is fragmented and difficult to access. The registry aims to centralize this information, automate notifications, and increase transparency.
However, municipalities will face new obligations, including the need to supplement documents with extensive information and meet specific data entry deadlines. The regulation also requires maintaining both personal data and anonymized versions of documents.
Uncertainties Regarding e-Extracts
It remains unclear whether the e-Extracts will be considered official documents equivalent to standard plan extracts, as defined by existing legislation. The definition of “selected area” – whether it refers to a specific cadastral plot, planning zone, or user-defined area – also requires clarification.
Legislative Stage and Legal Basis
The draft regulation is currently undergoing consultation and public review, linked to the ongoing amendment of the Spatial Planning and Development Act (UD316).