How to combine the development of new districts with public transport, green spaces, and the daily needs of residents? The answer is to be the Gdańsk Nowe Południe masterplan, whose preliminary urban concept was presented during a press meeting on June 15.
The masterplan covers approximately 164 hectares of land along the planned PKM Południe line. Its goal is to create a cohesive vision for the development of Gdańsk's southern districts, based on public transport, high-quality public spaces, green areas, and local service centers. The presented preliminary urban concept is the first stage of the masterplan's development and was created based on the results of a participatory process held in March this year.
The Gdańsk Nowe Południe masterplan is being developed within the framework of a partnership between the City of Gdańsk and the Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-Government, implemented by InvestGDA and the Pomeranian Development Agency. The development of the concept is the responsibility of an international team of urban planners and designers: KCAP from Rotterdam and the Gdańsk-based studio A2P2 architecture & planning.
This combination of international and local experience allows us to look at the development of Gdańsk's southern districts from both the perspective of best European urban planning practices and local spatial, social, and environmental conditions.
This means that even before the construction of PKM Południe begins, the development of the areas around the stations is planned in such a way that the new transport infrastructure will support the creation of well-functioning, attractive, and well-connected parts of the city from the very beginning.
In contrast to the traditional model of urban development, where buildings are erected first and infrastructure only later, the Gdańsk Nowe Południe project assumes parallel planning of the new railway line and the future development of the areas around the stations. The goal is to maximize the potential of PKM Południe as the transport backbone of this part of the city.
The first step to creating a masterplan
The presented concept is not a finished project or a final development plan. It is a 1:2500 scale study showing the development directions for the entire area, the distribution of functions, green areas, public spaces, transport connections, and potential locations for new development. Detailed urban and architectural solutions will be developed in the next stage of work and will also be subject to public consultations.
Rail as an element connecting districts
The presented material assumes the use of the planned PKM Południe line as an element integrating the city's space. The new railway infrastructure is intended to be not only a means of transport but also an impetus for creating new local centers and improving the quality of life for residents.
The preliminary urban concept covers approximately 164 hectares of land around six future PKM Południe stations and stops. It shows e.g.. , the proposed spatial structure, main public spaces, layout of green areas, location of future service centers, and directions for the development of residential and service buildings. Its task is to define the framework for the development of the entire area, not to predetermine the final appearance of individual investments.
The designers propose moving away from a model of development based mainly on cars towards a system that supports pedestrian, cycling, and public transport. An important element of the concept is also the creation of a cohesive system of green areas, including stream valleys, retention reservoirs, linear parks, and new pedestrian and cycling connections.
– No economic development without social development. We need to look at this holistically, and the construction of the new Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway line serves this purpose – commented Sławomir Kosakowski, President of the Pomeranian Development Agency. – For this development to be effective, it must take into account the best possible use of railway stops. This project shows that in Pomerania, we know how to cooperate, always keeping the interests of the residents of Gdańsk and the region in mind.
Greenery, services, and daily life
The urban concept is based on the idea of „stitching together” the currently fragmented parts of Gdańsk's southern districts. The project assumes the creation of new public spaces, local activity centers, and better connections between housing estates, green areas, and public transport.
In many places, new squares, arcades, parks, or recreational spaces are planned near the PKM stops. An important element of the project is also the protection of the most valuable natural areas and the use of greenery as an integral part of the urban layout.
– This is just the beginning of the work on the Gdańsk Nowe Południe masterplan. During subsequent consultation meetings, we will present the residents' expectations translated into initial projects – said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk. – From the perspective of the entire country, this is a unique project, when in the heart of the city, in a very intensely urbanized area, a railway is being built. But we don't want the railway to just cut this space in half. We want to listen to the voices of the residents and develop these areas so that they serve not only transport purposes but also the creation of a comfortable place with a good quality of life, with a large number of public and private services in the Southern Gdańsk area.
Concept based on social consultations
The work on this part of the masterplan was preceded by the first stage of social consultations, including meetings with residents, discussions with stakeholders, and an online geo-survey. Over a thousand residents of Gdańsk's southern districts were involved in the process.
Among the most frequently raised topics were needs concerning:
• better integration of public transport,
• new pedestrian and cycling connections,
• protection of green areas,
• development of local services,
• creation of recreational spaces and meeting places.
– The consultations showed a very high level of resident awareness regarding the quality of space and the future of Gdańsk's southern districts – says Michał Jamroż, project manager of Gdańsk Nowe Południe. – Residents expect not only efficient transport, but also well-designed places for everyday life: green spaces, services, public spaces, and local activity centers.
– In practice, we are answering today the question of how Gdańsk's southern districts should develop after the launch of PKM Południe – adds Michał Jamroż. – We are not yet designing specific buildings or housing estates. At this stage, we are defining the principles for the development of the entire area – where new services, public spaces, green areas, or buildings should appear in order to fully utilize the potential of the new railway line.
The second stage of public consultations is starting
The presentation of the preliminary urban concept marks the next stage of public consultations for the Gdańsk Nowe Południe masterplan. Residents will be able to familiarize themselves with the proposals for the development of areas around PKM Południe and provide their comments and opinions. Simultaneously, from June 15–28, a geo-survey will be available to collect opinions remotely.
During the consultations, residents will also be able to familiarize themselves not only with the urban concept plans, but also with a spatial model of the entire area.
The model allows us to see what the relationships between future buildings, green areas, public spaces, and PKM stations could look like. It helps to better understand the scale of the project and how the space around the future railway line will be organized.
The blocks presented on it are illustrative and serve to show the scale and directions of the area's development. Detailed urban and architectural solutions will be developed at the next stage of work and will also be subject to public consultations.
Open consultation meetings will be held:
• June 15, 5:30 PM, Primary School No. 19, ul. Emilii Hoene 6,
• June 22, 5:30 PM, Primary School No. 86, ul. Wielkopolska 20.
Additionally, consultation points are planned:
• June 17, 4:00 PM–7:30 PM, Maritime Primary School – Południe, ul. Srebrna 11,
• June 20, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM, Multipark Południe,
• June 26, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, Łostowice–Świętokrzyska tram loop,
• June 27, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, Sandomierska bus stop.
Information about the project is available on the website: www.nowepoludnie.pl.
About the project
Gdańsk Nowe Południe is a joint venture of the City of Gdańsk and the Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-Government, implemented by InvestGDA and the Pomeranian Development Agency.
The project covers approximately 164 hectares of land around the planned PKM Południe line and six future railway stations and stops. Its goal is to develop a long-term vision for the development of this part of the city in accordance with the principles of transit-oriented development (TOD), a city of short distances, and sustainable mobility.
This is one of the first projects in Poland where the development of new railway infrastructure and urban planning are carried out in parallel, even before the construction of the railway line begins.
The masterplan was created by the KCAP (Rotterdam) and A2P2 architecture & planning (Gdańsk) team, selected through a tender procedure.
Project Schedule
- June 2026 – consultations on the preliminary urban concept,
- second half of 2026 – development of the urban and architectural concept for the areas around the stations,
- 2027 – detailing of spatial and architectural solutions,
- summer 2027 – completion of work on the master plan and handover of the final document.
Each of the main stages will be consulted with residents and project stakeholders.
Presentation of the preliminary urban concept of the Gdańsk Nowe Południe master plan.
