Copenhagen• Capital of Denmark• Annual GDP: 309.87
billion $US• Population: 1.9 Million• Excels in: Life science,
clean tech, and biotechnology
• Official Language: Danish• Creative City Index
Malmo• Second largest city in
Sweden• Annual GDP: 458.97 Billion
$US• Population: 300 000 • Excels in: bio tech,
pharmaceutical, engineering
• Official Language: Swedish• Creative City Index
Oresund Bridge
• Completed in early 2000s
• Over 4000 meters
• around 35 million people travel this route every year
• Has helped develop the area into a mega region- with 2.6 million people
• 2012: over 18 000 people commute using bridge; number expected to rise to 45 000
• Commuting has increased by 600%
Results
• Has increased employment throughout the region
• 1.83 million people are working in region, with over 18 000 commuters not included in this number
• Reduced air pollution by 50% as it replaced ferry transport
• increased circular mobility; helped to reduce the shortage of labor in Denmark and has boosted the property market in Sweden
Oresund Bridge
Issues:
• Congestion
• Maintenance
Recommendations:
• More lanes to accommodate traffic
• Carpool lanes
Issues for the Region
• Diversity• Immigration policies• Taxation and administrative policies• Language barriers
What can be learned?
• Oresund bridge is a prime example of how building infrastructure to increase connectivity between two cities is highly beneficial
• If adopted by other cities can help to form mega regions
• Foreign example: Evvia Greece, with Athens, Greece
Copenhagen Wheel Project
• Initiated at MIT then developed by SENSEable City
• Presented 2009 at COP15 United Nations Climate Conference
• Now in its 3rd year of operation• Funding from Ministry of Enviro to promote a
cleaner environment and reduce the city’s ecological footprint
Wheel Project• Hybrid e-bikes• Allows to store energy
that exerted while cycling and breaking, and reuse it when needed
• Personal trainer; tracks: calories burnt, heart rate, fitness, kilometers biked; all can be accessed through your smart phone
Video
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7y3qIQu3Gc
Wheel Project• Highlights Copenhagen’s
environmental consciousness
• 55 percent of all Copenhageners cycle 1.2 million kilometers daily, which is one of the highest percentages in the world
Wheel Project- Issues
• Lack of data to quantify the impacts of the project
• High cost for charging stations• Aesthetics
Wheel Project- Recommendations
• Alter the design of the bike- number one issue is that “ it is ugly” and too heavy
• Other cities can adapt this idea; however must have the bike infrastructure like Copenhagen
• Mass market to lower costs of charging stations
Big Loop City
• Headed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group )
• Aims to connect the suburbs of Copenhagen and Malmo with the CBD
• Connect 20 development zones within the region
• Energy efficient and environmentally savvy strategies
• “ Finger Plan”- centered on S-train commuter rail lines
• Use of LRT
Video
• http://www.archdaily.com/76482/loop-city-big/
Status
• Construction has yet to begin
• There are finalized plans
• Aims to turn 25% of urban density to areas more like the central city (density of 200%)
• Can provide housing for over 325 000 new residents
• And create more than 280 000 work places
Recommendations
• Another example of region’s attempt to create interconnectivity
• Other cities can learn from these initiatives
• Success will depend on fulfilling initial vision
• Complete with economic efficiency
• Reasonable time frame• Community support• Public/private support
Clean-Tech Clusters
• Home to 610 clean tech companies• Employees more than 120 000 full time
employees• Clean tech sectors include: wind energy, solar
power, smart grid, and green design• Objective: increase: growth in clean tech
companies, entry of clean tech companies
Results• Since 2010 44% of the cluster hired new
employees
• 51% of the cluster increased turn over in comparison to the 19% in 2010
• 17% of companies obtained a patent in 2011 compared to the expected handful in 2010
• Achieved spinoffs in 12% of companies compared to a stable 13% in 2010
Issues
• Small research firms not showing growth• Gap in services provided by the cluster• Collaborations with only 3 of 11 academic
institutions• No policies to assess impact• Companies– 21% of all clean tech entities have been founded
within the past five years, however only 1% have been formed between 2009-2010
Recommendations• Invest in internal
infrastructure; i.e. provide incentives with larger companies to collaborate with smaller firms
• Should facilitate activities related to:– Knowledge networks– Marketing– Identification of global
markets
Recommendations
• Need to foster partnerships between more academic institutions and members of the cluster– i.e: education and exchange programs
• This will help to enhance diversification in spin off companies
• Foster a culture of evaluation
What can be learned?
• Other regions can also capitalize on their competitive advantage
• Turn ideas into tangible products/services/businesses
• Pioneers of clean tech
Closing Questions
• Do you think any of these programs could be implemented in Toronto?
• What are some advantages or disadvantages that Toronto has to implementing these projects?