Gdańsk Metropolitan Area name selected by Pomeranian municipalities

Sixty-one local governments in the Pomeranian Voivodeship have voted to name the new metropolitan union the ‘Gdańsk Metropolitan Area’ (Gdański Obszar Metropolitalny). The decision follows a vote held via email, which concluded on October 9.

The chosen name received 45 votes, while the alternative, ‘Metropolitan Area Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot’ (the name used by the existing association since 2015), received 13 votes. Three municipalities abstained. The new legal entity is scheduled to begin functioning on January 1, 2027, replacing the current association.

The voting process was initiated by Gdynia Mayor Aleksandra Kosiorek following discussions with Gdańsk Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz. While the name change was initially presented as a settled matter by the Gdańsk magistrate, the formal vote was implemented to resolve tensions regarding the representation of the polycentric region. Some local officials expressed concerns that a name centered on a single city might undermine the sense of equality and trust between the member municipalities.