
GZM is Poland’s largest metropolis (2.3 million inhabitants, 41 municipalities), comprising Katowice as the core city alongside surrounding Silesian towns. It represents Central Europe’s most significant post-industrial urban transformation project, transitioning from coal and steel towards a knowledge economy, cultural tourism, and green technology. GZM was the first Polish metropolitan association created under dedicated legislation (2017) and operates as a strategic authority for transport, environmental policy, and smart city development.
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Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolia (GZM) is implementing a comprehensive Smart Metropolis strategy, focusing on integrated public transport (the ŚKUP card system covering all 41 municipalities), smart energy transition away from coal dependency, digital administration, and spatial data infrastructure. GZM aims to become a model for polycentric metropolitan smart city development in Central Europe.