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Inevitability of combining the potential of the two greatest Lithuanian cities of Vilnius and Kaunas as the main „vertebra“ of the country's demographic and urban backbone was declared in the Master Plan of Lithuanian Territory Development adopted by the Seimas (Parliament) in the autumn of 2001. This qualitatively new approach on urban development is based on the teoretical and practical experience of modem world' s metropolitan areas. A survey of numerous statistic data, concerning existing situation in urban, life quality, economic and intellectual development of municipalities belonging to the territory of the above dipolis, is presented in the paper. Some of them are compared with the official data of the European Union. The author's emphasis is put on the inequalities of comprehensive development in various parts of this new combined urban unit. Inclusion of adjacent municipalities into the dipolis is one of the main preconditions of not only equalizing their situation but also improving in this way the development of the entire country, especially of its eastern part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An idea of the dipolis of Vilnius and Kaunas formation is under discussion in the paper with the aim to establish both a metropolitan and recognized centre on an international scale. The first step is completed, i e a strategic plan of the dipolis is prepared following the initiative of both cities' municipalities. This plan is contradictory and controversial. The objective is declared for the first time in order to form a system of factors which could turn the existing polycentric network of the Lithuanian cities to another direction, i e to the concentration of social, economic and demographical potentials. It is not acceptable because it will expand the existing gap of Vilnius and Kaunas from the periphery and reduce the viability of the whole Lithuanian urban system. There is no basis for a bipolar urban structure formation. The potential development in the case of big cities and their non-formal regions do not overlap, the internal links are weak, and there are no indications of linear urban network formation. The progress of the whole Lithuanian urban system due to a low density of population as well as growing emigration should not be interdependent with an artificial development of both the metropolitan and regional physical structures. The idea of the dipolis of Vilnius and Kaunas formation should be assessed as a symbol of the inner cities' co-operation which is under particular shortage. Development of high-speed communication and information technologies as well as integration processes should serve for the above mentioned purpose by evaluating subjects of non-reducing competition of the cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]