THE USE OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN THE URBAN COMMUNES OF LODZ METROPOLITAN AREA

The article presents the results of pilot studies carried out in the cities of Lodz Metropolitan Area. The study concerned the use of geographical information system by the employees of offices of these cities. The interest in the subject of GIS in Polish urban communes results from the assumptions of the EU INSPIRE Directive and the necessity of its implementation in the basic units of territorial division of Poland. The aim of the research was the analysis of the impact of GIS on the sphere of the public participation in the process of local management and the possible use of GIS in the decision making in communes. Research showed what kind of software was used in analyzed communes.