Development of Information Society

The Municipality of Gdansk was one of the first local governments in Poland to create the Integrated Computer City Management System - "Ratusz" in the late 1980s just after the political transformations. The system was initiated by creating record files. Later on, it was expanded by introducing analytical-financial systems, document circulation systems and Spatial Information System. The implementation of the above systems had always been preceded by a thorough system analysis, as well as a technical project. A strategy aiming at full integration of all individual systems has been adopted. This strategy has been consistently applied. So far we have achieved full integration of the text base of RATUSZ system with the SIP graphic maps. Such integration and updating facilitate diverse visualisations and data analysis.

The database of the system includes among others: record files of 460,000 residents of Gdansk, 205,000 car files, 55,000 business records, 4,000 financial and accounts documents per year; the system is also capable of storing historical data. All the records are systematically updated, including the identification of the person and time of data modification. Access to particular sub-systems is strictly controlled and it complies with all security requirements.

Without information technology work in the Municipality would be inefficient and unfeasible. RATUSZ system reaches all the main file/record units of the Municipality. Swiftness, high quality of the services provided as well as the analytical-statistical capabilities of the system have proved to be indispensable not only for the citizens but also for the mayor, the executive board, councillors and, last but not least, for each and every employee of the municipality.

Consistent actions leading to the development of informationn society have won the city quite a few prestigious awards - including such well-known Polish awards as the "Information Technology Leader" and "Silicon Commune". The latter were presented to the city in recognition of the application of information technology in the urban area management and in facilitating citizens' services. The city has also been rewarded for leading in appropriate application of information tools for the benefit of its residents.

In response to the European directives: e-Europe and e-Europe+ Gdansk was yet again the first Polish city to work out the e-Gdansk strategy aiming at the development of information society in the local community. At the present moment the strategy is still being discussed. The development of the information society is one of the priorities of the City Development Strategy of Gdansk 2010.

Gdansk is a city which has recognised the need to create compound "strategy of an intelligent city" in order to stimulate its growth as a competitive international site for Hi-Tech investments at the same time remaining a vibrant city and friendly for its inhabitants.

We would welcome any offer of cooperation and we are eager to share our experience with other cities in order to stimulate global education process and the development of Information Society in Europe.