Warsaw mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz talks to Jolanta Wolska.

How successful were the advertisements promoting Warsaw than ran on the CNN and BBC international television channels this year, and what is planned for 2009?
The two major foreign TV promotion campaigns this year, which were general in nature, resulted from our research that in comparison to Budapest or Prague, Warsaw is not well known internationally among business people and managers. The CNN and BBC advertisements were successful and I hope in 2009 we will see the outcomes. Generally, we are working towards promoting Warsaw leading up to Euro 2012. Also, we see a great opportunity in 2010 with the 200th anniversary celebrations of the birth of Frederic Chopin. Chopin is a brand name known throughout the world and so we want to use that vehicle to promote the capital.

What does Warsaw have that is not found in any other European capital?
Firstly, it is different because Warsaw's architecture is very eclectic. Warsaw has a different, vibrant atmosphere. Warsaw's pace is a bit slower compared to London. But people like to be here; those who come to work from abroad do not want to leave. And we have lots of culture: theater, opera, music and various concerts - however these still could be promoted better. People also like Warsaw's many green spaces and parks and the river Vistula.

How do you to plan to redevelop the areas next to the Vistula?
We are starting to promote the river with the slogan "Facing Vistula". On one side we want it to be a leisure space, more natural, with beaches, and leave it as a breeding ground for special birds. The other side we want to develop into a more lively and outgoing area with lots of entertainment. And of course we are building the Copernicus Science Center there. This investment is the first sign of change on the left river bank.

There are more than 10 million Poles living abroad. How is the City of Warsaw encouraging them to promote the capital?
As a city we try to have contact with those cities where Poles live. For example, we have very good contacts in Chicago. When I am abroad I try to meet with Poles who live there, as for example recently in Berlin. I think they can be attracted by good transport and affordable housing so that they will feel that they are coming back to a place with conditions no worse than those they are leaving behind. We try to promote and support cultural events, music shows, architecture fairs and so on.

How safe is Warsaw for tourists and residents? Is the street monitoring system effective?
Yes, the street monitoring is very effective. In comparison with others places, our city is very safe. Our monitoring is different to that in London, for example, where there are many cameras that record but are not monitored. Our cameras are constantly monitored, therefore we can intervene instantly. There are 423 cameras at the moment and all 320 new buses and new trams also have inbuilt monitoring. Lately we installed 104 cameras on subway stations. We have one of the lowest crime rates among large Polish cities and that is why three-quarters of Warsaw citizens feel safe, according to recent polls.

Do you think historic buildings are being restored fast enough? How can owners be helped with the financial burden of renovating them?
We help to conserve heritage buildings, private ones included. We have increased our budget for this fourfold; in 2006 it was zl.7 million, and in 2007 it increased to more than zl.20 million. I know it is not enough, but nonetheless it is a start. We also renovate religious buildings and we carry out full scale redevelopment projects like Krakowskie Przedmieście St.

You are planning to use unconventional methods to raise funds for investments through the issue of bonds. Can you tell us more about this?
The City plans to issue Eurobonds worth zl.1.5 billion, which we expect to be taken up by foreign investors. Warsaw has an A2 Moody's rating, the same as Poland, so we have good credibility. As with government bonds, the finance minister has decided already that our bonds will be tax exempt.

Warsaw is very congested. How is the capital dealing with the increase in new high-rise buildings and hence greater population in the city center?
The City has already built four park-and-ride areas and is preparing another five. We are in the planning stages of building the second metro line. Within the last two years we have replaced almost a third of our bus fleet, and we also launched the biggest public tender in Europe to purchase 186 modern trams. In the long term we plan to charge a fee to enter the city center.

What has been the effect on the capital of the exodus of young Polish people to Britain and Ireland?
Not significant, as Warsaw has not suffered from an exodus compared to smaller Polish cities. However, our unemployment rate is around 2.7 percent, which is very low.