Urban Development Strategies and the Knowledge Economy : A Case of Gdynia, Poland

Abstract

This paper, drawing on the experience of the Polish city of Gdynia, focuses on urban development strategies in the era of a knowledge-based economy. Given that some doubts have recently been cast over the effectiveness of certain urban policies based on innovation generation and creativity promotion, the study constitutes a voice in the debate on the opportunities and threats facing modern cities. It examines these issues through the prism of central and eastern Europe, which – due to a confluence of various politico-economic factors – is seen as a fertile ground for the promotion of new urban strategies. Specifically, the paper, while highlighting the fact that Poland’s nationwide business environment is unsupportive of entrepreneurship and new knowledge creation, shows how the municipal authorities act with a view to advancing Gdynia’s development. Hence it makes a contribution to the existing body of literature, thereby deepening our understanding of modern urban development patterns.