Medium-Sized Polish Cities Poised for Growth in Logistics and Housing

Contrary to the idea that medium-sized cities are destined for decline, a new report highlights ten such urban centers in Poland with significant potential for logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing. The "Beyond the Hubs" report, prepared by Accolade, REDD, and Michael Page, identifies Szczecin, Rzeszów, Białystok, Zielona Góra, Lublin, Bydgoszcz, Opole, Kielce, Bielsko-Biała, and Koszalin as key locations for future development. Gorzów Wielkopolski, Częstochowa, and Toruń are also noted as having future potential.

Traditionally, investment and tenant activity concentrated around Poland's largest cities and main transport corridors. However, rising operational costs in major locations, limited land availability, improved road infrastructure, and the need for greater operational flexibility are driving companies to consider alternative expansion sites. Joanna Sinkiewicz, Accolade's managing director in Poland, notes that factors such as employee availability, business environment stability, scalability, and proximity to clients and suppliers are increasingly important.

These medium-sized cities are evolving from supplementary locations to strategically analyzed sites for logistics, production, and distribution. Their advantages include accessibility, a viable labor market, developing infrastructure, and ample space for long-term growth. The report suggests that the edge these cities hold is no longer solely based on lower labor costs.

Each city's potential is assessed differently. Szczecin benefits from its proximity to seaports and the German market. Rzeszów is a strong industrial center strategically located on the Via Carpatia route and serves as a gateway to Ukraine. Białystok is the primary economic center in northeastern Poland. Krzysztof Foks, head of research at REDD, points out that some of these medium-sized Polish cities now represent mature warehouse markets, comparable in scale to regional capitals in Western Europe.

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W praktyce część średnich miast przestaje pełnić wyłącznie funkcję uzupełniającą wobec największych hubów. Coraz częściej stają się one samodzielnymi, strategicznie analizowanymi lokalizacjami dla działalności logistycznej, produkcyjnej i dystrybucyjnej.