METREX Spring Conference
1-4 June 2025 , Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area
Towards a European Metropolitan Agenda
The upcoming METREX Spring Conference will take place in the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area (also called Gdańsk Metro Area) — Poland’s fourth most populated metropolitan region, home to 1.6 million people and the site of the second-largest seaport on the Baltic Sea.
Recently, the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced plans to transform the current metropolitan association into a nationally recognized Metropolitan Union — only the second in Poland, following the Silesian Metropolitan Union in Katowice. This transformation is expected to take place in the second half of 2025.
Since 2012, metropolitan cooperation in the region has developed from the ground up, through a voluntary association of 50 municipalities and 10 counties. Since 2015, the association has also acted as an Intermediate Body for EU Cohesion Funds.
“Now, we need to build a much stronger institution—one that will serve as the foundation for a modern and integrated public transport system, metropolitan spatial planning, and an ecosystem for innovation and economic growth,” emphasizes Michał Glaser, CEO and Managing Director of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area.
The mayors of the Tri-City Metropolis believe this change will promote inclusive and sustainable territorial development that directly benefits local communities.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk and President of the Metropolitan Council, underlines the importance of the current discussions on the future of the metropolis — pointing out at the challenges ahead, the impact of the new metropolitan law, the broader responsibilities of the future Metropolitan Union, and the development of a 2026 action plan to strengthen cooperation:
“Together, we are building our future and a strong metropolis!”
Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, Mayor of Sopot, noted that residents of Sopot and the wider Tri-City area already experience the region as a single, cohesive metropolis — commuting daily for work, education, and services across city boundaries. She stressed that the metropolitan law, by enabling integrated public transport and improving access to education, culture, and healthcare, will significantly enhance residents’ daily lives:
“We have been fighting for this for years, and I am glad that soon the metropolis will become a reality.”
Aleksandra Kosiorek, Mayor of Gdynia, underlined that building the metropolis is a key priority for this term, with the goal of ensuring efficient mobility, comfortable living, effective work conditions, and a high quality of life. Taking place during a pivotal moment in the region’s decision-making process, the Conference will offer a valuable platform for exchange and dialogue — exploring the phenomenon of metropolisation, effective models of metropolitan governance, strategies for economic development, and integrated spatial planning in an evolving socio-economic and geopolitical context.
Michał Glaser and his team look forward to welcoming participants and drawing inspiration from metropolitan areas and regions across Europe!
The Conference will close by 4 June, coinciding with the celebrations of the Solidarity movement and the start of the Polish EU Presidency, featuring a rich program of events.
The full calendar will be shared soon.
Curious to know more about about Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area?
Please visit the member’s page at: https://www.eurometrex.org/member_profile/gdansk-gdynia-sopot-metropolitan-area/
Cover image: Gdynia, Konrad Kędzior
METREX Spring Conference
in Gdańsk Metro Area
From our METREX Manifesto to setting a European Metropolitan Agenda
In alignment with the METREX Manifesto for Metropolitan Partnerships, we recognize that metropolitan regions and areas are uniquely positioned to address the multifaceted challenges we face today. By understanding the bigger picture and translating it to a metropolitan scale, we can collaboratively find solutions with local partners.
Post-Manifesto Actions
Following the launch of our Manifesto for Metropolitan Partnerships in November 2023 and the METREX conferences in Brussels and Bucharest in 2024, we now will finalise our European Metropolitan Agenda for both national and EU institutions to recognise:
- Developing Approaches to Urgent Planning Issues; Enhancing our fundamental professional capabilities to tackle pressing spatial planning challenges.
- Organisational Adaptation; Becoming more agile, efficient, and accessible in our organisational structure.
- Forging a Metropolitan Future for Europe; Encouraging active participation in shaping a future-oriented metropolitan vision for Europe.
Spring Conference in Brussels, May 2024
At our Spring Conference in Brussels, we focused on:
– New Challenges in Spatial Planning; Deliberating on current pressing issues and evaluating our readiness for the future both organizationally and in our planning approaches.
– Equipping ourselves for the future; Providing comprehensive support to staff, ensuring they have the skills, tools, and resources necessary to effectively tackle complex metropolitan challenges.
A detailed report from the Brussels conference is available here in PDF
Autumn Conference in Bucharest, October 2024
The Bucharest autumn conference focused on integrating several key components to support our members in building a robust organisational framework capable of addressing new spatial planning challenges:
- The Romanian context: Understanding regional specifics and contextual challenges.
- Thematic and Parallel Workshop Sessions: TBC.: Financing Metropolitan Development, Transport, No Net Land Take, Economic Development.
- Strategic Integration: Combining these elements to ensure we are not only prepared for the future but also proactive in shaping new policy statements towards EU and national institutions.
- Searching for a political steer in formulating a European Metropolitan Agenda.
A detailed report from the Bucharest conference is available here in PDF
Parallel to these conferences, the Interreg Central Europe project started on Metropolitan Cooperation and Governance (MECOG-CE), led by the Metropolitan Region of Brno and joined by Warsaw, Ostrava, Berlin-Brandenburg, Torino, Stuttgart and two universities. The project is halfway, at point where strategies for forming metropolitan regions are developed.
Also, in-depth Foresighting workshops have taken place.
This all forms an excellent basis to come to the definition of a European Metropolitan Agenda to be sent to Members of the European Parliament and the EU Commission, as well as national governments, also using the Polish EU Presidency.
Spring Conference in Gdańsk Metro Area, June 2025
The conference program is available in the provisional version.
Main Topics include:
- Forging a European Metropolitan Agenda including the development of Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area
- Economic Development for Metropolitan Regions and Areas
- Towards an integrated Spatial Planning
PRE-CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Day 0. Sunday 1 June
Venue: Mamuszki 14 Cultural centre
15:00 Welcome Coffee in Sopot
16:00 Guided Tour around Sopot
18:30 Reception & drinks, Sopot Beach
DRAFT CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Day 1. Monday 2 June | Full day
Venue: Gdańsk Technical University, The Fahrenheit Courtyard
08:30 Registration
09:00 Opening and Welcome
09:15 Setting a Metropolitan Agenda for Europe: the ongoing Metropolisation and the new EU Urban Agenda
09:30 A dive into the local context
the process of forming a metropolitan region: Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot
10:45 Strengthening the metropolitan Governance
The phenomenon of ‘metropolisation’ is increasingly contributing to shape the way territories can better address contemporary challenges. Insights and learnings from the Interreg MECOG-CE project prove to be a significant contribution in understanding and formulate adequate responses.
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- Panel discussion with inspiring showcases
- Debate session
12:30 Lunch
14:00 Economic Development for Metropolitan Areas
Best practices for creating an eco-system of innovation, growth and inclusion
With reference to the Draghi Report & Economic Development for Metropolitan Areas, this session will explore strategies for fostering economic development in metropolitan regions, focusing on best practices for creating dynamic ecosystems of innovation, sustainable growth, and social inclusion.
Cases will highlight innovative approaches to economic policy, investment in research and development, and strategies for fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
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- Panel discussion with inspiring showcases
- Debate session
17:00 Site visit
20:00 Light dinner
Day 2. Tuesday 3 June | Full day
Venue: Gdańsk Technical University, The Fahrenheit Courtyard
08:30 Registration
09:00 Opening and Welcome
09:15 Improving the Integrated Spatial Planning approach in a continuously changing context
This session will explore how metropolitan regions can navigate evolving trends that shape spatial development, offering insights into different planning strategies based on collaborative, multi-level and cross-sectoral approaches.
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- Panel discussion with inspiring showcases
- Debate session
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Outputs and observations from the METREX Foresighting Team, feeding the Metropolitan Agenda
14:15 Final version to the METREX European Metropolitan Agenda
15:15 Break
15:30 General Assembly
17:00 Site visit
20:00 Conference Dinner
Day 3. Wednesday 4 June | Morning programme
Venue: Gdańsk Technical University, The Fahrenheit Courtyard
Optional Expert Group Meetings and METREX Subnetwork meetings
09:00-11:00 EconoMETREX (location will be communicated soon)
09:00-13:00 Nordic Baltic Network (location will be communicated soon)
Gdańsk Local Events
11:00 Solidarnosc: Europe with a View to the Future
Detailed programme will follow.
REGISTRATIONS
We are delighted to announce that registration for our upcoming Spring Conference in Gdańsk is now open via a dedicated platform : Registrations
ACCOMMODATION & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
On the same platform, you will find not only the registration form but also practical information on recommended accommodations, airport transfers, and an overview of the venue, including an introduction to the city’s rich history and key features.
Please visit: Accommodation & practical info
PUBLIC TRANSPORT (PERSONALISED) PASS
As a special gift from the local host, METREX members and invited speakers are offered a public transport (personalised) card valid from June 1st to 4th.
>> Where to get the card?
a) at the Gdańsk Tourist Information Point at the airport — available for pickup starting Friday, May 30, 24h / 7 days a week;
b) at the pre-conference event in Sopot on Sunday evening;
c) on Monday morning at the conference registration desk.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Viviana Rubbo, Events and Expert Group Manager, at:
📧 viviana.rubbo@eurometrex.org
