The Role of Interregional Transportation Network in Development of Polish Regions: An Application of the Economic Potential Model

This article aims at verifying the role of interregional transport infrastructure in the development of Polish regions. We use the modified model of economic potential to identify the regions with the highest values of economic potential where metropolitan areas can be developed. Subsequently, we study how regional economic potential is affected by the construction of a modern interregional transport network. It appears that although development of such a transport network is highly desirable from the perspective of the whole country, at the same time it strengthens agglomeration forces. This may result in increasing already existing disparities in economic development between Mazowieckie voivodship and other regions and prevent the emergence of metropolitan areas in Poland other than Warsaw.