Poland is undergoing one of the most dynamic economic transformations in Europe. Ten of the EU’s 20 fastest-growing cities of the past 15 years are in Poland.

Among them: Katowice. Located in the country’s south and long associated with coal and heavy industry, Katowice has rapidly reinvented itself as a hub for technology, gaming, and foreign investment, a shift increasingly recognised by international outlets, including the Financial Times.

In this episode, we speak with the FT’s Central Europe correspondent, Raphael Minder, about why he chose to focus on Katowice’s transition in his recent story, what he learned while during his reporting , and how the city’s evolution reflects broader trends in Poland’s economy and energy transition.

We also explore:

Why Katowice stood out among Poland’s fastest-growing cities

• His first visit to Katowice under the communist regime, and how the city has changed since
• The new gaming and tech hub rising in former coal mines
• Poland’s economic strengths, talent pool, and demographic challenges
• How political continuity (or lack of it) shapes long-term development

You can read Raphael's story here:

https://www.ft.com/content/6c28ddd1-0326-4b93-8214-e62ae57643af