Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area

The Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area is the fastest growing area of northern Poland. It is also a significant centre of integration processes in the Baltic Sea region as well as being an important link in the transport chain, linking the north and west of Europe with the central and southern part of the continent. Gdansk, the capital city of Pomorskie Region, is strategically located at the crossing of major transit routes and plays the function of a large transport and cargo handling node. It offers well-developed business infrastructure, rich research, technical, and advisory backup, and highly educated human resources. All these factors put Gdańsk among the top-ranking Polish cities in terms of investment attractiveness. The city owns extensive land available for investments and sites designated for development, including buildings of historic status.

The Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area was established on September 15, 2011 to strengthen cooperation and to achieve the harmonious development of the entire metropolitan area around Gdansk, by making the best use of the potential of the member cities and municipalities, while at the same time respecting their differences and particular characters.

It is a window to the world for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which are the natural catchment area for the two largest seaports in Poland. These ports are the only ports on the Baltic Sea which have a direct connection with the ports of South East Asia. The international importance of the Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area is also shown by the ever-expanding network of air connections available from Gdansk’s Lech Walesa Airport; the number of companies with foreign capital or local companies which have invested abroad. This importance is also demonstrated by the number of international agreements signed with our universities, the increasing number of foreign students and the number of joint research projects.

Then there is the recognition of the brand of Gdansk, which around the world is associated with 'Solidarity', the struggle for freedom and the award of the Noble Peace Price for its leader Lech Walesa.

These and other factors give the Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area a high international ranking, placing it within a network of metropolitan areas. This, alongside parameters such as GDP or size of population, determine its competitiveness. In networks at all local, regional, national, continental or global levels, the Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area can rightfully take its proper place.