Gdynia s development conditions

Strategy for Poland - 2010 drawn up by Centralny Urząd Planowania (Central Planning Office): "Poland, in undergoing fundamental economic and political transformation changes, aimes at shaping and strengthening democratic rules and market economy conditions. Work is continued for Poland to become a European Union member state. From our own experience, as well as that of other nations, it is a well known fact that such a time demands co-ordination of all engaged parties: enterprises, state administration, and other authorities.

This quoted document defines the most important problems and directives for the long term development strategy of the country:

The mission of the Gdańsk Province elaborated in the document Wojewodztwo gdańskie 2000 plus. Strategia rozwoju" (Gdańsk Province 2000 Plus. Development Strategy) is to maximise opportunities arising from the province's favourable location at the cross-roads of international transportation routes and co-operation between north, south, east, and west. "The new geopolitical situation of the 90's makes this Gdańsk mission feasible. After 50 years of political divisions, European nations once again become integrated and the Gdańsk Province is an important link in this process. Trade and transport activities were the reasons for Gdańsk to flourish in the past. Then favourable location at the crossing of main sea and river routes was a decisive factor. Today, at the end of the twentieth century, investments determine success. Investments form new quality transportation links (especially A-1 motorway) and trade and port services [....]. It is of extreme importance to undertake actions on behalf of the construction of the North-South Motorway.

The main development goals of the Gdańsk Province elaborated in the document are:

The above described Gdańsk Province development goals are basic for implementing Gdynia's development strategy. However, they should not be treated as being superior, but rather complementary. This condition is of the utmost importance when the implementation process starts. An obstacle is the past economy structure with its big, state owned enterprises. Gdynia maritime enterprises pose the most difficult obstacle in the transformation process of the economy. Their privatisation process is slow. Most of them are joint stock companies with a 100% of the shares held by the National Treasury and acting in total isolation from the city's strategic plans. The city's influence on their development plans and goals is minimal. Its meaning in the maritime economy is dependent on changes taking place on the international market. The unclear maritime policy of the Polish government stands as a major threat to the city's steady development. The new Law on Ports is the first step on the way to change this unfavourable situation. Under this law, the municipality is a partner in the decision- making process, defining the future use of the port, port area, and infrastructure management. Unfortunately, the city's influence is limited only to the area of Port Gdynia Holding S.A. In the future, the area of influence should encompass the whole port.

Cohesion between local and regional development goals is further hindered by the poor organisational structure and complicated relations between local and regional authorities' jurisdictions (local, national and special administrations).

Gdynia has good conditions for co-operation with foreign partners in accordance with priorities of Poland's international policy and Gdańsk Province's development directions:

The long-term goal of the Tri-City's policy is to achieve the status of a European metropolis (europol) and a leading Baltic European centre. In order to achieve this goal, local authorities should acquire the ability to be compatible with the policy of building a Baltic Sea Region of Europe. Inter-regional and international co-operation between Baltic cities, among them Gdynia, should be conducted with participation of all interested parties and with political, economic, social, cultural, and scientific institutions. An important factor includes co-operation between Euroregions, for the integration and co-operation of institutions and organisations along with standards adapted by the European Union - European Charter of Local Self-Government and European Charter of Regional Self-Government.

The development strategy of the region seen in the domestic and international aspect is very important for the city. The Baltic Sea Region has vast economic potential: 17 cross-border regions of cooperation, 8 metropolitan areas with population over one million, 34 cities where international fair and trade events are regularly held, 67 university degree schools, 90 million hectares of wooded areas, and 40 million hectares of arable land.

From the point of view of Gdynia's interests, the most important were documents accepted by the European Union enabling establishment of funds supporting the development of the Baltic Sea Region. These funds can be fully used by such organisations as the Union of the Baltic Cities, Baltic Ports Organisation, and Baltic Sea Tourism Commission of which Gdynia is an active member. Gdynia also co-operates with the Baltic Sea Chambers of Commerce Association promoting free trade in the region; the city is active in the Baltic Sea States Council, the Ministerial Conference of the Baltic Sea States, and in sub-regional conferences of the Baltic Sea States. Very important is also Gdynia's participation in the international programme the VASAB 2010 - Visions and Strategies Around the Baltic. Gdynia is also engaged in the formation of the Baltic Sea cities network (twin cities) and cities located on the Trans-European Motorway route (co-operation with the Union of TEM Cities, chairing the Union of Amber Road Cities). In addition, Gdynia presides on the Union of the Maritime Cities and Communes encompassing 31 municipalities on the Polish coast. Gdynia is also a founding member of the Association of Communes of the Baltic Euroregion.

Gdynia deals with the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Their engagement is clearly shown by the amount of capital invested. One of the city's successes was acquiring funds for modernisation of the central distribution heat network and Kwiatkowski Route. Proof of Gdynia's position and the city's recognition was entrusting the city to host the 10th Europartenariat Poland 94' -the first one to be held outside the European Union's borders. In 1996, the Baltic Sea Partenariat was held in Gdynia and one of its organisers was the Gdynia World Trade Center. The aim of the Baltic Sea Partenariat is to promote and develop economic links between the nations and regions of the Baltic Sea Region.

The above mentioned conditions are reflected in Gdynia's development strategy (see chapter: Gdynia's strategic goals)