Case study report - Warsaw

Warsaw, the capital and largest city of Poland, is located in east-central Poland and extends along both banks of the Vistula River. The city covers approximately 517 km² and consists of two distinct parts: the left bank, historically more urbanised, densely developed, and elevated, and the right bank, characterised by more diverse relief and a stronger presence of natural river terraces and floodplain features. In 2024, the population of Warsaw reached 1,863,845, making it the most populous municipality in Poland. The average population density is approximately 3,604 inhabitants per 1 km², with substantial variation between districts. Recent demographic change has been primarily driven by domestic and international migration, replacing natural increase as the main growth factor since 2020. Together with Kraków, Wrocław, and Gdańsk, Warsaw has experienced sustained population growth, leading Poland with a 10% increase since 2002. Growth in the wider metropolitan area has been even more dynamic, reaching nearly 15% since 2006. Population growth is spatially uneven, with peripheral districts attracting new residents while central areas experience decline. The city is also ageing, and the growing number of non-resident ‘city users’ places additional pressure on infrastructure and services.