Marek Grzybowski : An exclusive interview for eBlue Economy
At the turn of the 1920s and 1930s, Gdynia had the highest fertility rate in Poland. The construction of the port was therefore a stimulus for the dynamic development of the city.
A small fishing village was transformed into a modern city with a modern infrastructure, rich cultural and scientific life – the pride of interwar Poland.
Sailing is Gdynia’s trademark. Every year the sailing season is filled with events of Polish, world, and European championships in Olympic classesMarek Grzybowski: The construction of the port in Gdynia began 100 years ago. The city of Gdynia was not on the map then. What was the reason for starting the construction of a port in this place of the Baltic Sea?
Joanna Zielińska: In 1918, after years of annexation, Poland regained its independence with limited access to the sea. The needs of Polish trade were to be secured by the Free City of Gdańsk [Freie Stadt Danzig].
The construction of an independent and modern port soon became one of the main topics of political and economic debates in reborn Poland. In the memorial book of the port construction, there is an entry which tells a lot about how this investment was perceived by the Poles at the time: “Let the seaport in Gdynia spread the fame of the Polish State over the seas of the whole world.”
Marek Grzybowski: The city of Gdynia grew with the construction of the port. Please describe briefly the port and the city approximately 15 years after the start of the port construction.
Joanna Zielińska: When the decision to build the port was made Gdynia had 1.3 thousand inhabitants and 132 houses. In 1926, when Gdynia gained city rights, the population was already at 12 thousand. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the city was inhabited by 127 thousand people. Workers and engineers came here in search of work.
They often spent their first nights at the beach for there was no place to accommodate them, After some time they brought their families here. At the turn of the 1920s and 1930s, Gdynia had the highest fertility rate in Poland
In schools, class sizes grew from 40 to 100 pupils. Construction workers, teachers, hospitals, and shop personnel came to Gdynia. The construction of the port was therefore a stimulus for the dynamic development of the city.
A small fishing village was transformed into a modern city with a modern infrastructure, rich cultural and scientific life – the pride of interwar Poland.
Marek Grzybowski: The city of Gdynia is not only a port city for merchant ships. Gdynia is a large port for sailors. What is Gdynia’s position in the Baltic Sea as a sailboat yacht harbor?
Joanna Zielińska: Sailing is Gdynia’s trademark. Every year the sailing season is filled with events of Polish, world, and European championships in Olympic classes. We are also happy to host large vessels, provided that at least for a few hours the crew makes the deck available to visitors.
As far as individual sailors are concerned, we offer to them a marina located right in the centre of the city. Sailors can reach Gdynia’s main artery within a few minutes’ walk. The commercial Yacht Park Marina in the President’s Basin has been constructed, which strengthens the sailing potential of our city.
Marek Grzybowski: The construction of the port in Gdynia began 100 years ago. The city of Gdynia was not on the map then. What was the reason for starting the construction of a port in this place of the Baltic Sea? 
