Malmö - June 2006
The conference was organised on behalf of Nordic Council and Nordic City Network, in cooperation with the Nordic urban planning periodicals Byplan, Plan and with Malmö City.
At the conference the Nordic Knowledge City was on the agenda. The Nordic countries are rapidly moving from Industrial Society to Knowledge Society. Where workforce and capital are the most important factors of production in the industrial society, knowledge and the creative application of knowledge are emphasized as the most important factors of production in the Knowledge Society. This development is of great significance for our cities, which have to transform from being industrial cities with functionally separated and specialized city districts to attractive and innovative knowledge cities. In order to create and secure welfare, wealth and growth in the Nordic countries, there is an urgent need for qualified answers to how we promote attractive and innovative cities and city regions.
The Nordic Knowledge City Conference focused on the question: What does it take to become a Knowledge City?
The conference included both practical and theoretical proposals as to what constitutes a Nordic Knowledge City and what strategies and initiatives are needed to become one.
The conference took place in Malmö, one of the best examples of a Nordic knowledge city. The conference took place on June the 8th and there were excursions to various urban development initiatives in Malmö and Lund on 9th of June.
The conference was open to everyone, both members and non-members of Nordic City Network.