In international literature, low emission zones are referred to as Low Emission Zones (LEZs). Their purpose is to reduce pollutant emissions from road transport by restricting the movement of vehicles that do not meet specified emission standards. In Poland, the legal basis enabling municipalities to establish LEZs was introduced in 2018. Despite nearly a decade having passed, the number of operational zones remains limited.
An analysis of LEZ implementation in Polish cities was carried out by mgr Tadeusz Bia艂ek from the Institute of the Built Environment and Spatial Policy, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, 91桃色.
According to the researcher, a significant change was introduced by the 2024 amendment to the regulations, which linked the obligation to establish LEZs with exceedances of permissible nitrogen dioxide (NO鈧�) levels in cities with populations exceeding 100,000. Local authorities also retained the option of establishing zones voluntarily. During the period covered by the analysis, the only operational zone was located in Warsaw. In other cities, including Krak贸w, preparations encountered resistance from local communities
Zone Boundaries and Challenges in Air Quality Assessment
One of the most important challenges is the proper delineation of LEZ boundaries. Traffic-related pollution is not distributed evenly across urban areas. Its concentration depends, among other factors, on traffic intensity, the age and type of vehicles, as well as street layout. For this reason, zone boundaries should be based on environmental and transport studies rather than solely on administrative divisions.
The importance of data collection locations is illustrated by the example of Katowice. In that city, a change in the location of a monitoring station resulted in the obligation to establish an LEZ no longer applying. As a consequence, the implementation process was suspended.
Spatial and legal challenges also became apparent in Krak贸w. The plan to include the entire city within a single zone triggered public opposition and the adopted resolution was overturned by an administrative court due to imprecise provisions regarding the area covered by the zone. This example demonstrates that unclear rules governing the delineation of zones may lead to conflicts and challenges to the legality of adopted solutions.
Restrictions on car traffic affect the daily functioning of residents and businesses. For many people, the car remains the primary means of transport, meaning that new requirements may be perceived as an economic burden and an interference with their established way of life. Opposition is further strengthened by a lack of dialogue with residents and unclear rules governing the operation of the zones.
International studies indicate that the assessment of LEZs should not be limited to air quality analysis alone. It is also important to determine whether restrictions actually reduce traffic volumes, whether they result in the displacement of pollution beyond zone boundaries, and how costs and benefits are distributed among different social groups
How Can Low Emission Zones Be Planned Effectively?
A review of the literature shows that Polish publications focus primarily on legal and organisational conditions, whereas international studies examine environmental, health-related and social impacts in much greater depth. Poland still lacks comprehensive evaluations of the effects of zone operation, including, for example, changes in residents鈥� transport behaviours.
Mgr Bia艂ek points out that the effective implementation of LEZs requires analyses to be conducted both before their establishment and after restrictions are introduced. Such analyses should combine data on pollutant concentrations, traffic intensity, and residents鈥� mobility. It is also important to introduce restrictions gradually, adapt access criteria to local conditions, and link zones with the development of public transport, parking policies, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
Low emission zones may become an important tool for improving air quality, but their establishment alone does not guarantee that intended objectives will be achieved. Stable regulations, reliable spatial analyses, systematic monitoring, and dialogue with residents are all required. Only by combining these measures with the development of alternative forms of mobility can LEZs become an effective component of long-term urban policy.
Source: Pupar Tadeusz, Low emission zones in Poland: a synthetic review of evidence, regulatory frameworks, and implementation experiences, Przegl膮d Geograficzny [Geographical Review], Instytut Geografii i Przestrzennego Zagospodarowania im. Stanis艂awa Leszczyckiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk, vol. 98, no. 2, 2026, pp. 153-178, DOI: 10.7163/PrzG.2026.2.2.