According to a new report by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), Polish cities vary significantly in their resilience to potential crises — such as war, epidemics, humanitarian disasters, and natural disasters.
The study assesses the resilience of local authorities and the state of critical infrastructure. It focuses on how well cities can function in crisis conditions, respond promptly to threats, and recover after they have passed.
What influences Gdańsk’s resilience
According to BGK, the level of resilience in cities depends not only on geographical location but also on the development of infrastructure, the economy, and the quality of public services. In the case of Gdańsk, an important role is played by the developed transportation system, access to medical infrastructure, and its strategic location on the Baltic coast.
Experts emphasize that it is the combination of various elements of urban infrastructure — energy, logistics, and public services — that enhances the city’s ability to cope with crisis situations.
Main risk groups
The study examined four key categories of threats:
- natural disasters (floods, droughts, extreme heat);
- healthcare crises and epidemics;
- humanitarian situations, including mass influxes of refugees;
- security threats, such as cyberattacks, hybrid operations, and armed conflicts.
Gdańsk among resilient cities
Gdańsk is classified among cities with a relatively high level of resilience, but it does not rank among the leaders. According to the report, the most resilient cities include, in particular, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice, and Rzeszów.
“Residents of these cities have access to more developed infrastructure for shelters, hospitals, as well as energy and transportation systems,” the report notes.
The report emphasizes that more than half of the residents of Polish cities with powiat rights live in self-governments that are simultaneously exposed to various risks but have relatively high resilience. Gdańsk and Warsaw belong to this category of large cities.
Source: https://businessinsider.com.pl/wiadomosci/miasta-najlepiej-przygotowane-na-wypadek-wojny-lista/q12e613
