Construction Sector in the Czech Republic and Poland: Focus on the Housing Segment in Selected Regions

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the construction sector in the Czech Republic and Poland, with a particular focus on the housing segment in selected regions. The authors compared the size and growth ofthe housing segment. To achieve the purpose, spatial and dynamic analyses of the construction sector indicators were conducted, with a particular emphasis on the housing segment (i.e. growth of construction sectorproduction, completed dwellings per 1000 inhabitants). In global economic crisis, the construction production fluctuation displayed a similar trend for both countries, with the worst indicators reported in 2010 and 2011. The main analysis focused on the dwelling segment. The Czech Republic reported a negative growth (-2.4%) in the number of completed dwellings in the period, while Poland reported a positive growth of 32.6%. Analysed countries differ regarding the construction industry output, which depends on the different population potential and uneven distribution of construction projects, particularly in the housing segment. Nonetheless, a common tendency was observed in the housing segment showing an intensified growth in the output in the areas that had seen fewer investment projects. Comparison of the construction sector status and development in selected regions of the Czech Republic and Poland can be helpful to entrepreneurs, investors and employees from both countries in recognizing a potential demand for dwellings