The Air Pollution Management in the Context of Local Industry Areas Location – Case of Częstochowa

Abstract The air quality assessment is performed in a division into zones, and each zone in Poland is assessed separately. Its result is the assignment of a class for individual pollutants. Poland remains in the forefront of EU countries with the most polluted air. The air quality management remains a pressing challenge in Poland, which consistently ranks among the European Union (EU) countries with the highest levels of ambient particulate matter pollution. Częstochowa, a medium-sized industrial and transport hub in southern Poland, represents an illustrative case where multiple sources of emissions converge. The city is characterized by a mixed-source profile that includes industrial emissions, transport-related pollutants, and household combustion for heating. The aim of the study presented in this paper is an analysis of the air pollution management in Częstochowa with a specific focus on the role of local industrial areas and their spatial distribution. Methodologically, the study combines data from national monitoring networks, EU air quality reports, and academic research with a comparative policy analysis. Paper identifies, analyses and assesses the level of air pollution quality for chosen city and indicates final recommendations for local communities that meet problems with polluted areas resulting from industry zones existence. The results reveal that while industrial areas contribute significantly to local emission hotspots, the seasonal dominance of household heating (so-called “low-stack emissions”) and traffic congestion remain equally important contributors to overall pollution. Research findings indicate that management strategies must be multi-scalar, combining local, regional, and national interventions. In this context, an action plan for 2025-2035 has been proposed as the proposed solution for the identified problem. This strategy has been structured into three phases: short-term (2025-2027) interventions targeting residential heating and initial industrial audits; medium-term (2028-2031) strategies focused on district heating expansion and renewable integration; and long-term (2032-2035) transformations aiming for full alignment with World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards and the development of sustainable industrial clusters. The study highlights that Częstochowa’s future air quality improvements depend not only on technological modernization but also on governance, stakeholder engagement, and regional cooperation.