The role of naming in shaping regional identity and attachment in polycentric urban regions: The case of Poland

Polycentric urban regions encompass centres that function both independently and as parts of an integrated whole, which presents a challenge to their functional integration. This study investigates how regional naming captures a specific dimension of this integration: residents’ regional identity and attachment. Based on a survey conducted among 3,084 residents of Poland’s eight largest urban regions, the analysis indicates that the name of a region can serve as a symbolic vehicle of meaning, shaping spatial perception and fostering residents’ sense of connection. As such, constructing narratives around the region’s name can become a tool for supporting integration processes within polycentric urban regions.