Special report: Urban Journey to the Centre of Sweden (1/2)

There are bicycles everywhere, buildings that are eco-sustainable from their foundations right up to their planted roofs, and hundreds of green spaces full of urban furniture of spearheading design. These are the clichés that come to mind when you do not have first-hand experience with Swedish cities. Of course, the reality holds more contrast, is more complex and far more interesting. As a preface to the annual URBACT conference to be held in Stockholm (24 and 25 November), we invite you on an initiatory journey to the centre of 8 Swedish cities that are partners in URBACT projects.

1st Stop: Umeå
Did you know that Gothenburg is the recognized birthplace of "melodic death metal"? In addition to this defining trait, for Susan Runsten, Urban Development Officer at the City Office, it is "friendly, collaborative and changing." It has 493,000 inhabitants, making it Sweden’s second largest city. It is Scandinavia’s main port, and is truly built around the sea, in addition to being a major cultural centre, with a well-reputed opera and art museum. In 2008, Gothenburg came in on top of the list of European cities where it is easiest and most agreeable to start up a business (*).

Gothenburg is participating in the URBACT project My Generation, which aims at "promoting the positive potential of the young generation". In Gothenburg, like in other large cities, there are young people who are facing unemployment, segregation, psychological problems, lack of support networks, and other difficulties. "A lot of people are already working on developing the potential of young people, both in the private and public sectors: good coordination among them is essential. And our Local Support Group is very good at that.

What doesn’t Susan like about this city with multiple facets? "There is a tendency to fear others and to congregate into different groups and neighbourhoods. We have to fight against that." She most likes "the sea front and people make me feel at home."

3rd Stop: Lidingö

Like Gothenburg and Lindingö, Kariskrona has a strong connection with the sea. In effect, the city is located on the southernmost of Sweden’s 1,650 islands and islets. It was founded in 1680 and represents an exceptional example of a planned European naval city, characteristic of the end of the seventeenth century. In fact, the Kariskrona naval port is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Liliann Bjerström, from the municipality of Kariskrona, explained enthusiastically that "today, the city is a Mecca of information technology and mobile communication solutions. The university is growing rapidly and students from around the world are arriving, increasing the population which now counts 62,300 inhabitants."

Kariskrona is participating in the URBACT project REPAIR, which works on reconverting former military sites and integrating them into the city. It is focussing on four former military sites, representing 170 hectares long kept isolated inside the city itself. When one of them closed, 750 jobs were lost, increasing the number of people looking for work outside the city, leading to less sustainable urban development. But Liliann is confident because "the city has gained a lot of knowledge and experience in this area over time."

What does Liliann criticise about Kariskrona? "Cars are allowed to park on the main square and the main road leading downtown. Certain infrastructures encourage people to drive rather than take public transportation!" What does she like most about her city? "Everything feels nearby: work, shops, restaurants, etc. The location is magnificent on the Baltic Sea, and there is water everywhere!"

Thank you to Hélène, Susan, Jeccika and Liliann for revealing the secrets of their cities and discussing the challenges. You can read the second part of this Urban Journey to the Centre of Sweden in the next issue of the URBACT newsletter.

(*) ECER: European Cities Entrepreneurship Ranking, which measures satisfaction indicators of entrepreneurs in large cities in 11 European countries, established based on a "European Cities Monitor" study by Cushman & Wakefield and the Altidium Agency.

Read more: