Nowy Sącz FUA in numbers:
| Population: | 295 520 |
| Number of municipalities (gminy): | 17 |
| Area (square kilometers): | 1608 |
| Number of localites: | 204 |
A large area covering all municipalities of the Nowy Sącz County and the city of Nowy Sącz, located in the southern part of the Małopolska Voivodeship near the border with Slovakia. The area is characterised by a tourist function, which is associated with very high tourist traffic and the transport needs it generates. The city of Nowy Sącz performs functions of sub-regional importance – for the south-eastern part of the Małopolska Voivodeship.
Documents and strategies in place:
- Sustainable Transport Development Strategy until 2030
- National Road Traffic Safety Program 2021–2030
- Transport Development Strategy in the Małopolska Voivodeship for the years 2010–2030
- Sustainable Development Plan for Public Collective Transport for the Małopolska Voivodeship
- Electromobility Strategy for the City of Nowy Sącz until 2035
- Low-Emission Economy Plan for the City of Nowy Sącz
The future SUMP will have to be consistent with the aforementioned documents.
Main stakeholders:
| Local Authorities and Local government units implementing a joint supra-local strategy | City of Nowy Sącz Town of Grybów Municipality of Chełmiec Municipality of Gródek nad Dunajcem Grybów Municipality Kamionka Wielka Municipality Korzenna Municipality Municipality of Krynica-Zdrój Municipality of Łabowa Municipality Łącko Municipality of Łososina Dolna Muszyna Municipality Nawojowa Municipality Piwniczna-Zdrój Municipality Municipality of Podegrodzie Municipality of Rytro Municipality of Stary Sącz |
| Road or railway managing authorities | Provincial Road Authority in Kraków County Road Authority in Nowy Sącz City Road Authority in Nowy Sącz SOF Municipalities |
| NGOs | Galician Association of Communication Enthusiasts in Nowy Sącz Association at the Automotive School Complex – “Sądecka Automotive” Sądeckie Cyclists Society Sądecka Bicycle Group PTT Bicycle Association of Stary Sącz Local Action Group: Korona Sądecka Local Action Group Beskid Gate Sądecka Tourist Organization Nowosądecka Tourist Chamber Sądecka Chamber of Commerce University of the Third Age Senior Club PTT Branch in Nowy Sącz (Polish Tatra Society) PTTK Branch “Beskid” in Nowy Sącz Sądecka Public Library Krynica Tourist Organization Association Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society Branch in Krynica-Zdrój named after Roman Nitribitt Agreement for the Development of the City and Municipality of Krynica-Zdrój Society of Enthusiasts of the Łabowa Land Dunajec Valley Association National Association of Road Carriers Galicja Society of Enthusiasts of the Muszyna Land Piwniczna Tourist Organization Małopolska Association of International Road Carriers |
| Educational institutions | Higher School of Business – National-Louis University, Nowy Sącz Academy of Applied Sciences, Nowy Sącz I General Secondary School with Bilingual Departments named after Jan Długosz Complex of General Secondary Schools No. 2 named after Maria Konopnicka Complex of Schools No. 1 named after the National Education Commission Complex of Schools No. 2 named after the Siberians Complex of Schools No. 3 named after Bolesław Barbacki Complex of Economic Schools Complex of Automotive Schools named after Engineer Tadeusz Tański Complex of Electrical and Mechanical Schools named after General Józef Kustroń |
| Business and institutions | FAKRO Nowy Sącz NEWAG, Nowy Sącz KONSPOL, Nowy Sącz WIŚNIOWSKI, Nowy Sącz SGL Carbon Poland, Nowy Sącz KORAL, Nowy Sącz/Limanowa SZUBRYT Meat Processing Plant Stara Wieś Muszynianka, Muszyna Specialist Hospital named after Jędrzej Śniadecki in Nowy Sącz Krynica-Żegiestów Health Resort S.A. |
| Residents – community leaders | Residents’ representatives |
Characteristics of the Transport System:
- The SOF transport system stands out in the country for its very good accessibility and connections between its localities.
- It is also notable for the fact that public transport in Nowy Sącz is free for the residents of the city (the largest city in Poland with free public transport) – on one hand, this means good accessibility and the elimination of transport exclusion, while on the other hand, it creates inequalities between the residents of Nowy Sącz and those working in the area or studying from neighboring municipalities, for whom this transport is not free. Moreover, residents of Nowy Sącz can use the transport operated by MPK for free on suburban lines outside the city limits.
- Public transport in Nowy Sącz is mostly adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. In the other municipalities of SOF, where transport is operated by numerous carriers using small vehicles (so-called vans), the situation is much worse, as most vehicles are not adapted to serve passengers with disabilities.
- Although the localities (their centers) are very well connected to Nowy Sącz, it should be noted that these are large villages with dispersed settlements, and many hamlets located on the slopes of the Sądecki Beskid or the Carpathian Foothills are not directly served by public transport. The same applies to some neighborhoods in Nowy Sącz or other cities in SOF.
Needs of the Functional Area:
- The need to integrate different carriers (timetables, coordination, common tariffs).
- Purchase of low-emission vehicles for public transport in Nowy Sącz and in health resorts.
- High dependence of further economic development on the sphere of mobility.
- A big problem with the availability of parking spaces.
- The need for cross-border integration of connections.
- Increasing the accessibility of peripheral towns.
Institutional capacity assessment:
- The City Hall of Nowy Sącz, along with the SOF Association, is a very strong and competent entity with extensive knowledge and experience in preparing the SUMP.
- Nowy Sącz is charactesized by very high social activity among its residents, which is reflected in the operation of numerous associations and non-governmental organisations that are actively involved in the process of developing local strategies.
Interesting facts:
- The area is characterised by outstanding tourist and spa values.
- The city’s geographic location makes it difficult to ventilate, and for this reason smog hangs over Nowy Sącz, which is particularly noticeable during the heating season.