Poznan is one of the oldest and largest cities in Poland. It is the historical capital of the Wielkopolska Region, where the Polish State was born 1000 years ago. The origins of the city date back to the 9th century, when a castle-town, the seat of one of the ruling Duke's, was established in Ostrów Tumski on the right bank of the Warta River in the flood basin of the Warta and Cybina Rivers. Soon it was surrounded by the beginnings of a municipal settlement. In the 10th century, Poznan was, along with Gniezno, the most important settlement of the Polanes and the seat of their ruler, Mieszko I. In 966, Poland was christianized, and as early as 968 the first bishopric in the country was established in Poznan and the construction of a cathedral started. In the 12th century, Poznan became the capital of the Wielkopolska Piast Dynasty, and one hundred years later Duke Przemysł I made Poznan the capital of the Region of Wielkopolska. Due to restricted possibilities for territorial extension, a decision was made to move it to the left bank of the Warta River. n 1253, Duke Przemysł I set up the town of Poznan based on the Magdeburg Law. This was a breakthrough moment in the history of the city, which set out the directions of its development up to the modern day. The location document regulated municipal political and economic issues and specified the economic foundations for the municipality. From the moment of receiving the Magdeburg Law, Poznan began to resemble other cities in south-western Europe. At that time, the first City Council and administrator (wojt) was appointed and the first guilds were established. After locating Poznan on the left bank of the Warta River, which determined the city's extension towards the west over the next several hundred years, the development of the new part of the city, surrounded by fortifications, was commenced. At the end of the 13th century, the construction of the town hall, the castle on Przemysł Hill, and stone fortifications began. Outside the fortifications was the economic support of the city, consisting of several villages situated on both banks of the Warta River. The spatial development of Poznan was based on a town plan. The city covered an area of ca 21 hectares, half of which was taken up by housing and workshop construction, 27 % by streets and squares, and the remaining 23 %, by public use areas. This area was inhabited by approximately 4,000 people. Privileges and rights granted by the rulers were conducive to the growth of Poznan. The most important of these included the privilege granted by Przemysł II, under which he relinquished the profits from trade, shoemaker, bakery and furrier's stalls, the slaughterhouse and the city scales; tax exemption for Poznanian tradesmen; the right to mint the city's own coin and storage rights received from King Władysław Jagiełło. They created favorable conditions for the development of local trade and crafts, which in addition to trade exchange became the foundation of the city' economic development. The craft that flourished the most was related with hide tanning, and the Poznan center for leather and furriery was considered the strongest in Poland, after Cracow. The second key branch was textiles.
In the 14th and 15th century, the city became an important European trade center, and Poznan was crossed by a huge east-west trade route and tract running from Cracow to the Baltic Sea. The trade in furs, salt and cattle, the import of textiles and herbs, and the export of leather and wax played a significant role in the exchange of goods in Poznan. In the 16th century, Poznan experienced its golden age; it was among the leading centers of culture, medical knowledge and international trade, holding the bulk Polish imports and transit trade between the East and the West nationally. Taking advantage of the countrywide and international demand, trade and crafts flourished, especially tanning, furriery, brewing and butchery. Approximately 2,500 people found occupation in the crafts, and its manufacturing volume placed Poznan second in the country, following Gdańsk. Over 40% of the value of Poznan's export in the commodity exchange was due to the leather and fur trade. Goods were mainly exported to Silesia and Brandenburg; in the case of local turnover, trade with Gdańsk, Toruń and Vilnius dominated. In the beginning of the 14th century, Poznan became an important educational center. In 1519, the Lubrański Academy, the second institute of higher education in the country, was founded in the city, and in 1573, the Jesuit College. The two schools were merged in 1780 into the Poznan Faculty School. These developments in education accelerated the establishment of printing houses, paper works and bookshops in the city. In the 16th century, Poznan faced a rapid population boom. The number of residents doubled within 100 years to 20,000. Over 65 % of the population made a living from crafts and trade. The social structure of the residents of Poznan consisted of, excluding the settled nobility, patriciate and populace originating from tradesmen and craftsmen as well as plebs. Over 70 % of the population was of Polish origin. The second largest group of residents consisted of people of German and Jewish ethnicity (in total over 10%). The spatial development of the city progressed. The lack of space for growth within the city walls forced the development of suburbs, mainly towards the south and east. The city within the walls was inhabited by 40-45% of the total population, the rest settled in the suburbs. This is where plants that were burdensome to the residents were transferred, particularly, tanning workshops and slaughterhouses. The commodity exchange was dominated by transactions in textile materials and finished products, mainly wool, but also spirits. Poznan became an important center for bulk product turnover on a regional scale, and a major center for arranging purchase of grain within the Wielkopolska region. On the local financial market, the role of church credits decreased, and the newly opened exchange offices functioned as banks. Favorable conditions in the municipal economy were sustained till the first half of the 17th century, when the development of Poznan was interrupted by the Swedish invasions. Further damage was inflicted on the city by the North War (1703), fighting during the Barska Confederation (1769-72) and natural disasters. These led to a rapid decline in the population, with the number of residents decreasing to 6,000, and a decline in economy, as contributions paid out to succeeding armies ultimately wrecked the city's finances. Poznan struggled with this damage for several years; at the end of the 18th century, the population of the city equaled 12,600. This ranked Poznan 6th in Poland.
The gradual economic reconstruction of Poznan was interrupted by the subsequent partition of Poland. In 1793, Poznan and the whole of Wielkopolska were incorporated into Prussia and successively became the largest city-fortification in the eastern boundaries of this country. The location and defensive character of the city had a significant impact on its development till the end of the Prussian annexation. At the end of the 18th century, the medieval fortifications were taken down, the city's size was increased to include a few satellite towns and settlements, and new areas in the west were incorporated into the city boundaries. Between 1797-1806, the metropolitan area was united in terms of administration, and later, the city's administrative system was changed to the Prussian system. Poznan, as the capital of the new Province of South Prussia and the seat of the garrison, attracted German administrative and military staff, and then German settlers. The population increased to 50,000. Gradually, the number of German inhabitants grew, from a few dozen to over 40 % until till the end of W.W.I. During the partitions, in order to maintain Polish influence on the economic life of the city, the realization of an organic work program, which involved increasing the Poles participation in economic development, was launched. The 19th century Prussian concept of transforming Poznan into a city-fortification, due to its strategic location, limited the city's development possibilities for almost 80 years. After 1838, the Prussian authorities started to surround Poznan with huge fortifications with a Citadel on a hill in the northern part of the city. Since that time, Poznan developed only within its city walls, and all city and economic plans had to be approved by the Prussian military authorities. Poznan survived within this closed ring of fortifications till the onset of the 20th century. In the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, the city saw the construction of its first large municipal infrastructure and newly-launched industrial facilities. This new stage in Poznan's economy, characterized by the development of manufacturing and a gradual decrease in the importance of crafts, gave rise to the establishment of the first large manufacturing facility, owned by Jan Klug, in 1785, which produced woollen and silk goods. This is also when the first hotel and inn for travellers, post offices and professional theatres were opened. Dynamic development of the modern municipal infrastructure took place in the 19th century, which was manifested in the launching of a water supply and wastewater collection system, a gas plant and power plant, horsedriven and electric trams, a telephone exchange, railway station and rail connections with Szczecin and Wrocław, and a regular line of steamboats sailing to Szczecin. The Realna City School and two gymnasiums were established, as well as were the first cyclist and rowing sports clubs. The modern Sister Szarytki hospital, and later a garrison and municipal hospital, were built. Cultural life was evolving: two theatres, the first cinema, public library, and museum, and a new hotel was opened, which played an important role for the Polish cultural and economic life. Dailies also emerged.
The development of Poznan's economy during the annexation was highly influenced by the policy of the Prussian government, which transferred Wielkopolska into an agricultural storage base for the Prussian state and gave the city the role of a trade and financial center focused on the turnover of farm produce, as well as for local supply and food processing. This is when two farming machinery plants (J. Moegelin and H. Cegielski), two artificial fertilizer factories (M. Milch and R. May), breweries. and the Hartwig Kantorowicz spirit and liqueur plants were founded. Famous were also other large manufacturing plants, such as the J. Zeyland furniture factory, A. Krzyżanowski construction material factory and the Poznan-Munich Railway Workshops. A significant role was played by financial institutions that were established: banks, the Chamber of Trade, and the Poznan cereal exchange market. The establishment of factories and the development of administration and education led to the creation of a new social group of hired workers beyond those working in trade and crafts. Outside the city walls, modern industrial and commercial districts were being established. The spatial expansion of the city beyond the city walls was not possible until 1900, when the decision was made to take down the fortifications. Between 1900-1918, Poznan increased its territory twice, incorporating within its boundaries over 2,400 hectares. Territorial changes brought about considerable population growth, from 117,000 in 1900 to 168,700 in 1914. New city plans were drawn up, which anticipated granting the suburbs a municipal character and creating a representative city center and elegant residential area. A number of modern Prussian-style buildings were erected. Some of these include the Royal Academy, the City Theater, The Emperor's Library, the Emperor's Museum, the Colonization Committee headquarters, the Post office, the Land Owners' Credit Authority headquarters, and the seat of the Cooperative Bank. A residential area was built in the district of Sołacz and Art Nouveau blocks of flats were built in the districts of Jeżyce, Wilda and Łazarz. The municipal infrastructure developed rapidly. A city water uptake was constructed in Dębina, as well as was a city electric plant, a wastewater treatment plant, a wastewater pumping station and a river port on the Warta River. Automatic telephone connections, inter-city bus transport and taxies were introduced. A military airport was established in Ławica, and a modern city slaughterhouse was opened. The growing economic importance of Poznan was proved by the East-German Exhibition organized in 1911 presented the accomplishments of the region. The period of Prussian dominance ended in December 1918, after the outbreak of the uprising in Poznan that led to the liberation of Poznan and the Wielkopolska Region.
In 1919, Poznan had 156,100 inhabitants, mainly of Polish nationality (share of the German population decreased by 4%) and the city covered an area of 3,400 hectares. The city continued to extend westward, while the extension to the south and east started only in the second half of the twenties, after taking down the remaining city walls and incorporating the neighboring municipalities in 1925. At that time, the area of Poznan increased to 6,700 hectares. The exhibition of the achievements of the 10-year independent Poland, the so-called General National Exhibition organized in 1929 had a significant effect on the urban development of the city. Fair grounds were extended, new schools, residential buildings, dormitories and hotels were constructed. At that time, two new university buildings were erected, the Collegium Chemicum and the Collegium Anatomicum, as well as was the University Dormitory, Higher and Secondary School of Business, Polonia hotel, and the most modern cinema in Poland, Słońce (Sun). In the interwar period, Poznan, as the capital of the province, developed in various directions: the city itself, the municipal economy and industry all grew. The city's economy was reoriented towards industry, trade and services and financial institutions. The H. Cegielski company was transformed into a large concern manufacturing farming machinery, train cars and electric machines. The R. May Artificial Fertilizer Factory expanded, and new factories such as, the Goplana chocolate factory, Partia cigarette factory, Sarmatia tobacco factory, Iskropol car spark plug factory, Wiepofama special machinery factory, Malta paper factory, Stomil rubber factory, Antoninek Glassworks, Military Uniform Manufacturing Plant and Rolling Stock Repair Works were founded. The witnessed the establishment of Poznan University, the Higher School of Trade, the Music Academy, the State Institute of Art and the School of Physical Education. After the National Exhibition, the Poznan Fair, first organised in 1925, flourished. A civilian airport at Ławica and intercity coach station were established. Regular domestic and international flights were launched, city and intercity bus services operated, a radio station, and a waste incineration plant and new city electric power plant were opened. The municipal infrastructure, encompassing roads and squares, railway stations, a tram network, bridges and green areas were expanded and modernized. Municipal and cooperative housing estates were established. In the interwar period, Poznan, which ranked fourth in Poland in terms of population, was the leading center of the economy and industry in the country and did not lose its position despite the economic slump during the huge economic crisis of 1929 - 1934. It was a well organized and wealthy city, with a developed city and industrial infrastructure, which constituted a powerful fair center on European scale.
The Germans occupied Poznan on September 10, 1939. During Hitler's occupation Poznan was incorporated into Germany as the seat of the so-called Werthegau, and many Polish citizens were displaced to the German-occupied part of Poland. The new spatial development plan anticipated the city's expansion towards the west and east and the inclusion of Poznan in a projected network of highways. The German occupational authorities increased the area of the city by incorporating 47 suburban communities. The population of the city, during the occupation ranged between 234,000 and 235,000, with an over 60% share of Poles. The economy, streamlined to meet the needs of the German army, was dominated by industry. Polish industrial plants were taken over by German companies, and in 1941 large arms plants, Focke-Wulf, Afa-Werke and Telefunken were moved to Poznan from the Reich. Throughout the German occupation, the city infrastructure underwent little expansion. Water supply systems and the city electric power plant were developed, and a military airport in Krzesiny and a new commodity and distribution railway station in Franowo were constructed. Some of the buildings in the center of the city and along the Warta River were demolished in preparation for planned investments related to such projects the construction of a new river port. New tenement houses and barracks were built for Polish citizens who were being dislocated. The artificial Lake Rusałka was created, as was the military cemetery in Miłostowo. After 1944, the city was destroyed by successive air raids of the allied forces. In this period, the Germans started to adapt Poznan to fulfill the role of a city fortification, which was to halt the offensive of the Red Army. After heavy fighting, Poznan was liberated on February 23, 1945. Poznan closed the period of W.W.II with war-related damage reaching 55%.
Political changes in post-war Europe had an effect on Poznan's development over the next 45 years. The initial years after the war were devoted to the reconstruction of the city's economy and social life. The decree on nationalization led to changes in the ownership structure of the city and the industrial infrastructure. The majority of industrial plants were nationalized and the only private companies left were small plants employing a few people. Crafts workshops also gained significance. The city infrastructure was nationalized and the entire pre-war property of the city authorities was taken over by the State Treasury, as well as private educational and cultural centers, hospitals, and sports facilities. Industry became the dominant branch of the city's economy. It went through such dynamic expansion that by the fifties, Poznan was one of the most industrialized cities in the country. The industrialization process was performed by launching new investments and by expansion of plants that had been taken over. Five new machine-manufacturing plants and one pharmaceutical plant were constructed. The H. Cegielski Rolling Stock and Diesel Engine Factory was thoroughly modernized. The city economy was dominated by the food and metal industries, while the share of crafts, services, trade and restaurant services dropped. This was connected mainly with the policy of eliminating the private sector that was implemented at that time. The rapid development of Poznan faced growing restrictions caused by the supply sector, which was lagging behind, and deteriorating living conditions. Despite the construction of new housing estates (in the fifties, an average of 1,200 apartments p.a. were put into use) the housing situation of the citizens were difficult. The system and economic solutions implemented, modeled on the Stalinist system, raised objections. Growing dissatisfaction led to the first mass workers' protest in postwar Poland, which started in Poznan on June 28, 1956, and was brutally suppressed. Street skirmishes claimed the lives of over 70 people, nearly 600 were wounded and 746 arrested. These events affected the policy of the national authorities, leading to liberalization of both political and economic life. The industrialization process was slowed down in the sixties. Investments for the development of industry were considerably lower. Within the branch structure, the electro-machinery and chemical industries took the lead. Following the construction of new housing estates (in Rataje, Winogrady and Grunwald), built from large-sized concrete slabs, the housing situation of the residents underwent slight improvement. The city infrastructure facilities were expanded and the construction of a Central Wastewater Treatment Plant commenced. The decision to transform the city electric power plant in Garbary into a electric and heat generating plant, along with the later construction of a new electric and heat generating plant in Karolin, made it possible to provide the city with a centralized heat supply system. Between 1973 and 1987, in line with the city's spatial development plans of the time, the suburbs of Suchy Las, Morasko, Radojewo and Miękowo were incorporated into Poznan. The city's area increased to 261.3 sqkm and the population grew to 585,900. In the second half of the seventies, Poznan witnessed a gradual regression of its industry and other sectors of the economy, which lasted till the end of the eighties. In the eighties, as in the rest of the country, the housing construction rate and the city infrastructure development rate dropped.
The process of political and economic transformations and ownership restructuring, which began in 1989, upset the balance in the structures of Poznan based enterprises, leading to a considerable decrease in production. Some of the plants, especially those outdated in terms of technology, were closed down; others, mainly the largest ones, were privatized, some with the participation of foreign capital. Changes in the economy caused a cascade of developments in the private sector in all branches of the city's economy. These processes were especially visible in the trade and services sector, which was the first to be demonopolized and then almost entirely privatized. New areas of services related to the overall business environment, including numerous financial institutions, such as local and foreign banks, stock markets and consulting companies, emerged. The real estate market underwent dynamic development. The share of private capital, including foreign capital, considerably increased in the city's economy. The high investment attractiveness of Poznan provided an incentive for foreign investors, who undertake many enterprises in the city. The architectural image of the city is also changing. Over the past decade, many modern commercial and service-oriented facilities, as well as housing and office buildings, have been constructed.
Poznan ends the 20th century with a complete change in its character, from a Prussian fortification to a modern and open city, which to its utmost ability is working to implement a policy of being a resident-friendly city.