In Silesia, an idea is taking shape that could turn Poland’s map upside down. There is growing discussion about merging 41 municipalities that make up the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis into a single entity. If the plan succeeds, the new supercity would have more residents than the capital, and its area would exceed 2,500 square kilometers.
At the very heart of Upper Silesia and the Zagłębie region, a structure is already operating whose figures are impressive. A total of 41 municipalities, around 2,500 square kilometers, and more than 2 million residents. This is the Upper Silesian–Zagłębie Metropolis (GZM), unofficially already referred to as “Metropolis.”
Numbers That Ignite the Imagination
It is enough to compare these figures not only with Warsaw, but also with Europe’s largest cities such as London, Paris, or Milan. In southern Poland, a metropolitan entity is emerging that could, in many respects, compete with Europe’s leading agglomerations. Ready? Let’s fire up the imagination. For example, the area of Poland’s capital is “only” 517 square kilometers. Mighty Greater London—a symbol of a European agglomeration—covers 1,572 square kilometers. The Metropolis concept surpasses both.
The idea itself took on tangible form eight years ago, when GZM was officially established. In recent years, however, there has been increasingly loud discussion about even deeper integration among the 41 municipalities that make it up. National Geographic notes that a detailed concept was developed by a team of researchers from the University of Silesia in Katowice, led by Prof. Tomasz Pietrzykowski.
It’s All About the Money
The premise sounds extremely appealing. It can be summed up in a single rhetorical question: what if, instead of 41 local governments operating side by side, a single strong center were created—one in which it would be easier to plan transport, investments, and development, and more effective to compete for funding and investors’ attention? Exactly. It is not hard to imagine a situation in which the largest city in Poland, with enormous human potential, suddenly becomes the most attractive prize for major corporations from around the world—big business that is simply waiting for the right moment and place to invest.
Will Metropolis lead to other cities disappearing from Poland’s map? According to the concept—no. GZM Chair Kazimierz Karolczak argues that the project is not about turning existing cities into districts. Mayors and city councils are to remain. Karolczak sees the sense of the reform in a division of competencies and in strengthening supra-local tasks.
Not Everyone Is in Favor
Given its scale, the idea naturally provokes strong emotions—and not only positive ones. For some, it is an obvious opportunity. A single brand means a stronger position for the region not only in Poland, but also in Europe. Opponents emphasize that the idea also carries significant risks, especially for smaller cities that still matter today. After the creation of Metropolis, their voice could be completely drowned out by the power of the new center. There is also the issue of identity. Every city has its own history, pride, and ambitions. Even the name itself can act as a trigger. Today, the most common term is Metropolis, but until recently “New Katowice” was often mentioned—an idea that, for some, disqualified the project from the outset.
What lies ahead for Metropolis? For now, it remains at the stage of concept and discussion. However, there is no denying that it is becoming increasingly prominent and taking on more realistic contours. Considering the numbers alone—the ones we started with—one thing is certain: this topic will keep coming back like a boomerang.
Top 10 Cities in Poland by Population (GUS data)
- Warsaw – 1,862,402
- Kraków – 807,644
- Wrocław – 673,531
- Łódź – 648,711
- Poznań – 536,818
- Gdańsk – 487,834
- Szczecin – 387,700
- Lublin – 328,868
- Bydgoszcz – 324,984
- Białystok – 290,907
Top 10 Cities in Poland by Area (as of January 1, 2025)
- Warsaw – 517 km²
- Kraków – 327 km²
- Szczecin – 301 km²
- Łódź – 293 km²
- Wrocław – 293 km²
- Zielona Góra – 277 km²
- Gdańsk – 262 km²
- Poznań – 261.9 km²
- Dąbrowa Górnicza – 189 km²
- Katowice – 165 km²