Michał Konopski

Abstract The essence of the research problem stems from the observed dichotomy between names given to voivodships (provinces) as a result of administrative reform of 1999 and traditional names of historical regions. The paper examines the issue of territorial uncertainty of Podlasie, a historical and cultural region situated in eastern Poland. Such uncertainty has been observed in terms of inhabitants’ territorial identity expressed via names given to regional companies, institutions and media confronted with historical borders of the region. The recent Poland’s administrative reform of 1999 has contributed to discrepancy in perceiving the region of Podlasie and has resulted in its pronounced identification with the Podlaskie Voivodship. Spatial analysis concerning distribution of companies and institutions, whose names refer to this region conducted for the years 1983-2013 has proven that Podlasie is increasingly identified with contemporary Podlaskie Voivodship. On the other hand, names of regional media reveal stronger regional identification with Podlasie within its historical borders rather than contemporary Podlaskie Voivodship. Current administrative division contributes to developing new territorial identity or changing the spatial range of territory inhabitants identify themselves. Moreover, this process also potentially leads to the deepening of territorial uncertainty within society and may result in weakening people’s attachment to the place of living and community’s social bonds.

Keywords: Podlasie, Podlaskie Voivodeship, territorial uncertainity, regional identity, administrative division, names of institutions and companies, regional media

Michał Konopski [konopski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Citation

APA: Konopski, M. (2017). Territorial uncertainty of Podlasie region. Regional identity vs. administrative division. Europa XXI, 33, 21-31. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.33.2
MLA: Konopski, Michał. "Territorial uncertainty of Podlasie region. Regional identity vs. administrative division". Europa XXI, vol. 33, 2017, pp. 21-31. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.33.2
Chicago: Konopski, Michał. "Territorial uncertainty of Podlasie region. Regional identity vs. administrative division". Europa XXI 33 (2017): 21-31. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.33.2
Harvard: Konopski, M. 2017. "Territorial uncertainty of Podlasie region. Regional identity vs. administrative division". Europa XXI, vol. 33, pp. 21-31. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2017.33.2