A large area comprising the communes of two counties: Tatra and Nowy Targ, located in the southern part of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship near the border with Slovakia. In addition to being a county town (just like Zakopane), the city of Nowy Targ also has functions of sub-regional importance – for the southern part of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
Nowy Targ FUA in numbers:
| Population: | 182 990 |
| Number of municipalities (gminy): | 11 (and 2 counties) |
| Area (square kilometers): | 1198 |
| Number of localites: | 95 |
The area is known for its outstanding tourist value, that includes the highest mountains in Poland – the Tatra Mountains and other ranges of the Carpathians (Pieniny, Gorce, Beskid Żywiecki). The tourist value however is also associated with high tourist traffic and the transport needs it generates.
Documents and strategies in place:
- Transport Development Strategy in Małopolskie Province 2010-2030
- Plan for the sustainable development of collective public transport for Małopolskie Province
- Air Quality Programme for Małopolskie Voivodeship
- Transport accessibility of selected cities of Małopolska 2014−2023
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 | The Podhale Functional Area Association (established in 2021) was established to jointly develop a strategy and implement ITI for this area (Podhale ITI). The town of Nowy Targ, the city of Zakopane, the municipality of Biały Dunajec, the municipality of Bukowina Tatrzańska, the municipality of Kościelisko, the municipality of Poronin, the municipality of Czarny Dunajec, the municipality of Łapsze Niżne, the municipality of Nowy Targ, the commune of Szaflary, the municipality of Rabka-Zdrój, Nowotarski District, Tatra County |
| Road or railway managing authorities | General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) Voivodeship Roads Authority in Krakow District Road Authority in Nowy Targ District Road Authority in Zakopane PLK (PKP) Municipalities of FUA |
| NGOs | Association of Highlanders Podhale University of the Third Age Tatra National Park Tatra Chamber of Commerce Klemens Bachleda Tatra Guides Association in Zakopane Podhale Tourist Organization Local Tourist Organization Made in Zakopane Tatra Agency for Development, Promotion and Culture Euroregion Tatry Private Transport Association in Zakopane “Rysy” Association in Zakopane “Dekada” Bus Station in Nowy Targ |
| Educational institutions | Podhale State Vocational University in Nowy Targ, University of Social Sciences – Branch in Nowy Targ Complex of Schools of Economics in Nowy Targ, Secondary School Complex No. 1 in Nowy Targ, St. Hedwig the Queen Secondary School Complex No. 2 The Stanisław Staszic Complex of Technical Schools and Institutions in Nowy Targ, E. Romer High School in Rabka-Zdrój, School Complex of the Augustyn Suski Agricultural Education Centre Władysław Matlakowski Complex of Construction Schools Władysław Zamoyski Hotel and Tourism School Complex |
| Business and institutions | John Paul II Podhale Specialist Hospital in Nowy Targ, Blachotrapez spółka LLC (Rabka-Zdrój), Kegel-Błażusiak spółka LLC. (Nowy Targ), Wojas S.A. (Nowy Targ), Production and Commercial Plant CSZ S.C., Zastawik Marek, Kowalski Wieńczysław (Nowy Targ), Dr. Tytus Chałubiński District Hospital in Zakopane, Gamatex fashion Group – a limited liability company (Stare Bystre, Czarny Dunajec commune), Podhale Road and Bridge Company S.A. from Nowy Targ, Rabka Zdrój |
| Residents – community leaders | Residents’ representatives |
Characteristics of the Transport System:
- A very large number of bus and rail connections between the two county towns, as well as intensive commuting due to work in tourist services and local entrepreneurship
- Several extensive connections between cities, but poor availability of services
- The Rail transport is currently of little importance due to renovation works that have been ongoing for many years (untapped potential);
- Two public transport systems, dozens of uncoordinated companies providing transport services in the field of collective passenger transport.
Needs of the Functional Area:
- Raising awareness and changing mobility behaviours
- Need to integrate different carriers (timetables, coordination)
- The need to reduce vehicle traffic and change the modal of travel
- Reduce dependence of further economic development on the sphere of mobility
- Increase the availability of parking spaces
- Strong need for cross-border integration of connections
Institutional capacity assessment:
- The Podhale Functional Area Association has been established recently and has little experience in preparing strategic documents. (The ITI strategy is being prepared for him by EuroRegion Tatry). The municipal offices of the largest partners (Nowy Targ and Zakopane) do not have specialized agencies dealing with strategic planning. On the plus side, it should be emphasized that there is a very high level of support and support from local governments and their very good mutual cooperation.
Interesting facts:
- As many as 4 national parks are located within the functional area, making the FUA an important center of tourist attraction and places of interest.