Processes of the expected spatial socio-economic changes arise as a result of rational planning and continuation of development at regional and local level. A three-tier division ofthe local self-government creates opportunities for engagement of community in the rational planning model and local resource management, as well as usage of production factors; for socio-economic growth and improvement in the quality of life of the residents. The aim of the article is to show the functional structure and role of local government units in formation of regional and local policy toincrease economic growth, while maintaining the environmental protection requirements. 

region, regional and local policy, local self-government, economic potential 

The main directions of changes of agrarian structure took place in two stages: in the years 1989-1993 at the time of adaptation of agriculture to the rules of the market economy, the second stage of changes took place in the years 1994-2002 and was connected with taking over farm properties of the former state-owned sector by the Agricultural Property of the State Treasury Agency as well as single entities. Taken actions by the then governments initiated restructuring and modernization of Polish agriculture, initiated transfer of lands – completely controlled by the state – to individual farms, minimizing the participation of the state-owned sector in general area of lands used agriculturally. 

agrarian structure, market economy, restructuring, farms, public sector, transformation