Baltic Rim Economies: Finnish-Swedish regional and city partnerships
Finland and Sweden, two Nordic nations with a long history of collaboration, have been fostering strong ties not only at the national level but also at the regional and city levels. This cooperation has proven to be mutually beneficial, promoting economic development, cultural exchange, and sustainability. Baltic Rim Economies introduced many examples of diverse cooperation formats.
Umeå and Vaasa share a common vision
Cities of Umeå and Vaasa are situated in the Kvarken region, which is the narrow region of the Gulf of Bothnia. Hans Lindberg and Tomas Häyry write that the the two cities already own a joint harbour company as well as a ferry company and they have reached a strategic agreement regarding tackling future challenges together. Umeå and Vaasa have concluded that they need to join forces and work together to win the global competition of attractive labour markets, improve the conditions of new talents staying in the region as well as strengthen the innovative business environment.
Hans Lindberg & Tomas Häyry: Limitless possibilities in a sustainable growing region
Haparanda and Tornio cooperation is local heritage
The cooperative bond between the cities of Haparanda and Tornio traces its roots back to 1987 when a foundational agreement was signed. Informal collaboration had existed already since the 1960s, Jukka Kujala and Roger Danell say in their article. Inhabitants of these cities traverse the border daily for work, education, shopping, family engagements, and leisure pursuits. There are over 14 million border crossings each year.
Joint sewage treatment plant and a nursery agreement allowing parents from either city to enroll their children in the neighboring city nursery are concrete examples of the close cooperation. Consistent interaction between the city boards, city councils, and a supervisory cooperation board foster the alliance.
Jukka Kujala & Roger Danell: Haparanda and Tornio – cross border cooperation
Paradoxical potentials in the Nordic archipelago
Annastina Sarlin tells about the unexpected circumstances on the Swedish and Finnish archipelago areas. Factor one is the travel and transport costs that affect the daily life of the residents in the archipelago. Sea transports in the archipelago are a lot more expensive and time-consuming compared to transportation on mainland. Therefore, the infrastructure and connections are vital to enable an all-year-round life and to stimulate the economy.
Factor two is major seasonal fluctuations. During the summer months in the archipelago there can be an astonishing 550 visitors per capita, compared to Venice that attracts 21 visitors per capita.
Factor three is the “schizotopic” pattern that the seasonal fluctuations create. It has severe effects in terms on pressure on infrastructure, water resources and other environmental and social perspectives.
Factor four is that the archipelagos in the Baltic Sea region have great potential and an opportunity to transform into a more sustainable tourism business. In both Finland and in Sweden there are already several actors working on this, and the key word is cooperation.
Annastina Sarlin: Paradoxical potentials in the Nordic archipelago
