Photo: WSP Finland
Brownfield regeneration provides interesting possibilities for developing smart and sustainable solutions in the Campus and Science Park area.
and bike( sharing) fleet, improve year-round cycling and walking conditions and introduce liquid biogas for urban freight logistics.
Next Gen Appeal
Having set of strategic goal of carbon-neutral Turku by 2040, the City of Turku is aiming to achieve a shift towards the use of more sustainable modes of transport( from 52 % to 66 % by 2030).
“ We are exploring various ways to enable people’ s movement in more modern ways,” says Jouko Turto, adding that what are needed now are“ next generation traffic solutions”.
Juha Elo, Marketing Manager for the City of Turku, points out that improving connectivity becomes easier if the community is compact to begin with – as is the case with Turku.
“ We have a situation where 80 % of the population is located within 5 kilometres of the town square. That’ s a pretty good starting point when you want to pursue carbonneutrality,” he says, adding that“ walkability” has always been one of the strong suites of the community.
Going Circular
Pekka Sundman observes that the new, greener ways hold considerable business potential. Turku is one of the forerunners of Finnish circular economy, and intends to stay that way:
“ Introducing a totally new kind of business logic is never easy, but we have seen a lot of positive development in this area.”
One indication of this mentality was the launch of business incubator Bastu in 2015. Initiated by entrepreneurs in the Turku Region, Bastu concerns itself with“ sixth wave” operations, meaning that it focuses on resource efficiency, constantly trying to look at familiar things in a whole new way. Bastu is also a part of a three-year collaboration effort between the national innovation agency Sitra and the City of Turku.
The Green List
And there’ s more: for instance, Skanssi Residential Area, built to be an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable district;
Blue Cleantech, a marine industry business area which significantly boosts new maritime growth; Smart Chemistry Park( SCP), a growing platform / learning environment for regional players; Topinpuisto, recycling park of the future.
According to the City, these new initiatives represent something that is very central to the local business climate: willingness to try out new things and seize the opportunities wherever they may emerge.
“ In Turku, it was recognised a long time ago that expertise forms the foundation for competitiveness. The City wants to support that know-how in any way it can,” Sundman sums up. l
Showroom for Innovation
A new kind of innovation centre is in the works in Turku Science Park. With the
construction kick-off in October 2016, the new innovation centre should open its doors in 2017, just in time for Finland’ s centenary. The concept of the Centre is novel enough: all companies, big and small, are invited to use the Centre as a showroom, and bring their products and innovations to the limelight. There isn’ t an innovation centre working under this concept in all of Scandinavia – and it’ s about time that Turku got the ball rolling in this, says Pekka Sundman, Director for the City Development Group.
“ Turku Region has always been strong in innovation, but previously it’ s been difficult to get the word out on all the things that are going on here. Now, the visitors – both domestic and international – can get acquainted with the latest innovations very conveniently indeed.”
The Innovation Centre has already caused a positive buzz in the ranks of the local SMEs who often struggle to get worthwhile exposure for their products. The new centre should level the playing field in that regard: the best idea will win the day.
Building the Innovation Centre is a key part of the City’ s Campus and Science Park spearhead project, with local universities participating in the launching of the Centre. Also numerous companies – such as PerkinElmer Inc, Teleste Oyj and Sandvik Oy – are contributing to the Centre. l
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