Is Wrocław ready for the future – or just writing about it?

The city of Wrocław is setting out its vision for 2050. But the key question remains: What makes a strategy more than just a document?

Dr Przemysław Wołczyk, Associate Professor at Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, an expert in regional development strategies, offers a direct answer – and highlights where most long-term plans go off track.

“A strategy isn’t an elegant PDF. It’s a decision about direction, priorities, resource use, and how trust is built. It’s the beginning of the journey – not the conclusion.”

In the Radio Wrocław programme “Para dla Dolnego Śląska”, he outlined three pillars that determine whether a strategy becomes a true driver of change – or remains a well-worded vision on a website.

Revision, not prediction

Looking ahead to 2050 demands scenario-based thinking. But those scenarios, Prof. Wołczyk argues, can’t all be optimistic.

“In 3–5 years, many assumptions may need serious revision. That’s normal. The world is changing. Demographics are shifting. Technology is accelerating. Artificial intelligence is redefining entire sectors. A strategy that doesn’t anticipate revision is already outdated.”

Implementation is the ultimate test

Writing a strategy is not the end of the process – it’s only the beginning.

“Without resources – financial, human, institutional – vision cannot be delivered. Strategy without people who know what to do is just administrative fiction.”

In regions struggling with depopulation and social capital erosion, it’s not enough to ask what we want to achieve. The real question is who will deliver it – and at what cost.

Continuity beyond political terms

If every new administration redefines the plan, communities lose trust.

“A strategy must go beyond political cycles. It needs institutional champions. Without them, no community or business will treat it seriously – and without them, nothing will happen.”

A wake-up call for planners, policymakers and city leaders

Because it touches on the real tensions faced by every city, region, and public agency trying to plan beyond one term in office.
This is a conversation not only for policy designers – but also for public leaders, strategy consultants, civic organisations, and those responsible for building trust with communities.

If you believe strategy should be more than a slogan – if it should be a tool for action, leadership, and long-term change – this is worth your time.

badania.uew.pl/en – because the world needs informed voices, when noise drowns out reason.

Author: Justyna Morawska-Płoskonka