EMI visits twin cities Linköping – Norrköping in Sweden
For the Knowledge & Research Agenda on Polycentric Metropolitan Areas EMI visited the twin cities Linköping - Norrköping in Sweden. In Sweden Dr. Evert Meijer (Programme Manager EMI) and Mr. Koen Hollander (Deputy Programme Manager EMI) spoke to a lot of different experts: researchers, policy makers and business representatives. A journalist from the local newspaper interviewed EMI while visiting these twin cities. This article is based on the translation of this newspaper article.
Twin cities Linköping-Norrköping: an example for other cities in the EU
Doubling the number of trains for commuters between Linköping and
Norrköping is the single most important factor for increased
development in both towns. This is the opinion of Dr. Evert
Meijers, a Dutch scientist specialised in regional spatial
development, who is on a field trip in the county to study
the cooperation between the two cities. Koen Hollander joins him on
this trip.
The advantage for twin cities: two is better than one
There are a lot of cities in Europe that are similar to these two
Swedish cities, Dr. Evert Meijers says. They are all medium-sized
towns rather close together that are trying to cooperate to
increase their attractiveness. All research points the same way;
together you are stronger than alone. Bigger cities manage to
attract more development and employment than medium-sized towns.
Together they can offer the same critical mass as one big city.
Stimulating the collaboration between these sort of cities is
currently a challenge for Europe. A priority for the EU is to
strengthen the interaction between twin cities like
Linköping-Norrköping. The Knowledge & Research Agenda on
Polycentric Metropolitan Areas will give medium-sized towns outside
big city areas tools to develop. It is EMI´s goal to strengthen the
position of cities in Europe. But not all cities are as successful
as Linköping-Norrköping.
What makes the collaboration between these twin cities so successful?
In these cities policy makers are not afraid to take the
initiative. Meijers: your city is really doing something instead of
just talking. He is impressed by the number of commuters (4.000
commute from Norrköping to Linköping and 3.500 the other way daily)
and the existence of joint high schools and preschools. Dr. Evert
Meijers sees Linköping University Campus in Norrköping as maybe the
best example in how Linköping and Norrköping strengthen the
development of the whole region, and in this case the university.
Mr. Mats Helander, responsible for the development in the region,
is happy about the field trip from EMI. It is good to see that we
have done something that is interesting to the rest of Europe.
How to stimulate further development?
The development has to continue for the region to be able to
connect more with even bigger cities. Dr. Evert Meijers mentions
care, culture, sports and leisure as important areas in which
Linköping-Norrköping should invest together. This is much
more effective than to compete with each other.