The president of Gdansk Pawel Adamowicz has signed an agreement with research institutes that will prepare the Strategy for the Development of the Gdańsk Metropolitan Area (GOM) to 2030 under the name "INTIS - Integration and Synergy " The GOM strategy will cover as many as 69 local governments - including Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia.

“The European experience suggests that balanced but dynamic development takes place where there exists a strong, integrated, attractive economic and cultural metropolitan area. The metropolitan dimension of the strategy is therefore extremely important “ said President Pawel Adamowicz. This is evidenced by the fact that up to approximately 75 percent of the gross product of the European Union and almost all the innovation are created in metropolitan areas. “We already stand out in the central part of the continent and we want to catch the leaders” the president added.

“To do this, the metropolitan area has to precisely define what are its strengths and weaknesses. And thus, in which areas should investment be made, and where cooperation should be strengthened to achieve the desired goal which is to improve the quality of life of residents” explained Professor, Doctor Krystyna Gawlikowska-Hueckel, project manager and representative of the Institute for the Development from Sopot, which is leading the consortium of experts preparing the strategy. The second member of the group is the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organisation (PAN) in Warsaw.

“The involvement of eminent scientists in writing the Metropolitan Area Development Strategy is the element which distinguishes our project and is keeping with European trends” said Vice President Michal Guć, representing Gdynia and the NORDA Forum.

Equally important is a broad partnership. As for the extent of the territory comprising 69 local governments, including the entire Tri-City - Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. In addition to local governments, universities, several large companies from Pomerania and non-governmental organizations are involved as partners in the project.

“As local governments we want to make decisions rationally, based on facts and reliable diagnosis” said Jacek Karnowski, President of Sopot. “The strategy will provide us all with the information to make optimal investment choices”.

Work on the strategy will start by diagnosing the current situation of the metropolitan area. Research will be divided into 10 areas:

• Transport infrastructure of the metropolitan area against the backdrop of spatial conditions

• Energy security and the natural environment of the metropolitan area

• Social inclusion and development of the social capital of the metropolitan area

• Innovation and entrepreneurship in the metropolitan area

• The role of small towns and rural areas in the development of the metropolitan area

• Development of human resources in the metropolitan area

• Management of the metropolitan area

• Demographic determinants of the development of the metropolitan area

• Key and potential drivers of economic development in the metropolitan area

• The internationalisation of the metropolitan area economy

Consultative meetings of experts who will write the strategy with INTIS project partners will begin by June 25. In the autumn there will be a public consultation regarding the research and the strategy is due to be ready next year. It will also be part of a handbook for local governments to facilitate the implementation of the draft and the concept of spatial development of the metropolitan area.