University of Oulu and City of Oulu develop the cities of the future – cooperation deepens between European universities
The forum outlined long-term cooperation between cities and universities, with the aim of finding solutions to key urban challenges.
The purpose of the UNIC network event was to serve as a meeting place for different actors and visionaries working together to address urban challenges.
The objectives are clear: universities and cities can work together to develop attractive cities of the future. For the University of Oulu, the Zagreb forum was an important opportunity to strengthen city challenge-based teaching and research.
“The University of Oulu aims to promote transdisciplinary research and education, crossing the boundaries between disciplines and working closely with society. The City of Oulu is a very important partner for the University in this goal, and I believe that through the European University UNIC, we can together find solutions to challenges affecting Oulu and Northern Finland,” says Rector Petteri Alahuhta.
Oulu contributes to UNIC cooperation in particular its expertise in human-centred smart city development.
More vitality for cities
At the Zagreb Forum, UNIC cities and universities adopted a declaration on continuous and long-term cooperation. The declaration strengthens the partners’ shared interest in finding solutions to the challenges of vitality, wellbeing and sustainable development faced by European cities.
Veli-Matti Keloneva, Director of Development at the City of Oulu, introduced a thematic table at a forum workshop related to cities’ digital transition, innovation management and regenerative urban economy.
“We want to thoroughly understand the everyday experiences of our residents and how we can ensure smooth services even during disruptions. For example, OuluBot continuously collects information about service needs. Based on this customer insight, we can develop solutions and innovations together with residents, researchers, companies and students, and make use of technologies developed in Oulu, among others,” says Keloneva.
Boosting northern innovations
The City of Oulu and the University of Oulu jointly established the Oulu Innovation Alliance in 2009 to bring together strategically important research, development and innovation activities in the Oulu region.
The Alliance aims to create global added value through digitalisation and to address the challenges of ecological, economic and social sustainability through northern innovations.
“It is essential to involve businesses in shaping research challenges from the very beginning. Therefore, UNIC collaboration effectively supports the implementation of Oulu’s shared innovation strategy,” states Oulu Innovation Alliance Programme Manager Maria Vuorensola.
The City of Oulu was represented at the event by Director of Development Veli-Matti Keloneva and Programme Manager Maria Vuorensola. The University of Oulu was represented at the forum by Rector Petteri Alahuhta, Development Manager and UNIC Programme Manager Henna Määttä, Director of the UNIC Centre for City Futures and University Researcher Sari Hirvonen-Kantola, and Co-Creation Specialist Anna-Miia Suihkonen.
Further information about the European Post-Industrial UNIC Cities Leaders Forum and the forum programme is available on the event website.