The popularization of remote work as a chance for medium-sized cities

Depopulation and the lack of comprehensive development strategies are among the main challenges faced by Polish cities. This is a particularly difficult issue for medium-sized cities, one in five of which struggles with these problems – shows the report of the Polish Economic Institute. The journalist, Piotr Witwicki, in his latest book "Znikająca Polska" (eng. Vanishing Poland), uses the example of his family town of Włocławek, to analyze the situation of towns suffering from socio-economic decline and, as he emphasizes, there is a potential for change in them. However, concrete actions are needed, especially at the political level. The problem of young people moving out – at least to some extent – may be limited by the growing popularity of remote work.

According to the study by the Polish Academy of Sciences "Delimitation of medium-sized cities losing their socio-economic functions", the political and socio-economic transformation after 1989 resulted in a strong de-industrialization of most cities and problems with maintaining their economic base. The authors indicated 122 medium-sized cities losing their socio-economic functions, half of which were affected by a strong regression.

"Probably there is no return to the former glory, in the sense of the splendor of the industrial city under Gierek, but some other splendor is possible that we cannot think of today," the journalist said.

Among the activities that, in his opinion, are needed, he lists the deglomeration of public functions. In 2019, the then Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology prepared a report on deglomeration, which showed that out of 107 central offices in Poland, only 14 are located outside Warsaw.

(Newseria)