Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2017 | Page 48

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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