Variants of Boundary Changes—A Case Study of Poland

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to formulate a theoretical framework for the issue of changes in administrative boundaries and to systematize the issues by selecting distinctive variants. Considering the variety of procedures and forms of boundary changes, the case study is conducted in Poland. This study analyzed the provisions of 271 decisions on boundary changes and granting city status from 2009–2022, which covered a total of 1887.8 km2. It was the basis for selecting 31 variants of boundary changes in eight categories: (1) formal legal, (2) territorial expansion; (3) unit status; (4) cadastral division; (5) territorial tiers; (6) administrative division; (7) frequency of changes; (8) area. In addition, the interactions that occur between the different variants are demonstrated, and the main regularities are identified. Boundary changes are conducted mainly in the application variant. The introduction of the fast-track variant initiated an unprecedented wave of restitution of the city’s status. Territorial expansion of units occurs most frequently in the commune–city variant within the third-tier (commune) units. Small-area, one-off annexations in the suburban zones of cities in the parcel and precinct variants dominate. The results can be contextually applied in comparative studies.