Encyklopedia Administracji Publicznej MW Pivot Skin

LOCAL COMMUNITY – local society, a group of people inhabiting a given territory, organised into a local-government association (municipality), forming a social system with common local interest, common goals and activities. This group is also characterized by a significant degree of social integration, is based on strong, emotional bonds, and has a common identity, determined by local factors. The community is separated from the collective on the basis of psychological, spatial and social factors. Membership in it is also established by virtue of the law, as a result of acquiring a specific characteristic by a person, e.g., residence in the area of a given local-government unit (municipality, county). L.c. differ in their character due to the area – they function differently in rural areas, and differently in the city (in the urban zone). The city space, especially the large one, promotes anonymity and weaker interpersonal relationships, which are much stronger in rural areas. However, also residents of the city, even a very large one, have a sense of belonging, identity and common interest. In a big city classic l.c. are formed within housing estates and direct neighbourhood [ A. Jarosz ].

Literature: Z. Bukowski, T. Jędrzejewski, P. Rączka, Ustrój samorządu terytorialnego [The system of local government], Toruń 2011 ■ B. Dolnicki, Samorząd terytorialny [Local government], Warszawa 2016 ■ A.K. Piasecki, Samorząd terytorialny i wspólnoty lokalne [Local government and local communities], Warszawa 2009.