According to a new report by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), Polish cities vary significantly in their resilience to potential crises — such as wars, 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 operate in crisis conditions, respond quickly to threats, and recover after they have passed
What influences the resilience of Gdańsk
According to BGK, the resilience of 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 transport system, access to medical infrastructure, as well as the 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
- klęski żywiołowe (powodzie, susze, ekstremalne upały)
- healthcare crises and epidemics;
- sytuacje humanitarne, w tym masowy napływ uchodźców;
- zagrożenia bezpieczeństwa, takie jak cyberataki, operacje hybrydowe i konflikty zbrojne
Gdańsk among sustainable cities
Gdańsk is part of a group of cities with a relatively high level of resilience, but it does not rank among the leaders. The most resilient cities, according to the report, 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 municipalities that are simultaneously exposed to various risks, but at the same time have relatively high resilience. Gdańsk and Warsaw belong to this category of large cities
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