Comparative Analysis of Housing Resources in Gdańsk; Łódź; and Kraków

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the article is to understand the differences and similarities in the housing conditions of Gdańsk, Łódź and Kraków against the background of historical, socio-economic and political conditions in 2013-2022, taking into account the ownership structure, development dynamics and standard of technical equipment. The study identifies differences and similarities in housing conditions across these cities and evaluates the impact of historical, socio-economic, and political factors on local real estate markets.

Methodology: The analysis is based on statistical data from the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS) and indicators of housing stock, ownership forms, and technical and sanitary standards. Methodological changes introduced by GUS in 2019-2020, which affected the presentation of data on housing quality, were also considered.

Results: The results show that Gdańsk and Kraków exhibit dynamic growth in housing stock, while Łódź develops more slowly, with a higher share of municipal housing. Kraków and Gdańsk achieve higher technical standards compared to Łódź, despite noticeable improvements in the latter after 2019.

Implications and recommendations: The study confirms significant differences in housing resources among the analyzed cities, highlighting the need to tailor housing policies to local conditions. The findings can serve as a foundation for designing more effective urban planning strategies and promoting sustainable city development. This article contributes to research on urban space management and real estate market analysis in Poland.

Originality/value: The article contributes to the development of research on housing policy and urban space management in Poland. Through a comparative analysis of three major urban centers, it demonstrates how local conditions shape the diversity of housing markets, offering practical insights for urban planning and public policy.