The article presents the phenomenon of intermediate city defined by Thomas Sieverts in his book titled Zwischenstadt (the title of the English edition: Cities Without Cities). The intermediate city represents — according to the author — a new urban form emerging between historical compact cities. Thomas Sieverts is not enthusiastic about such development, but he believes it to be inevitable. If that was the case we will have to accept it and revise our values. We need to regard the intermediate city not only as a threat but also as a chance for new development and new challenge for planning and urban design. The intermediate city is emerging also in our region — around Krakow. Some elements of the development are discussed — also the ones offering chances for positive changes.