- Tampere seizes creative economy

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up what´s “Industrial heritage is of great significance to the development of a creative Tampere, whether as stories that create historic capital or in the form of a concrete, physical environment,” Harri Airaksinen says. Behind Airaksinen is the 105-year-old Sulzer steam engine, still located in its original machine room in the Finlayson area. It produced power for the Finlayson cotton factory which in the beginning of the 20th century was the largest industrial workplace in the Nordic countries. Tampere seizes &FAME MAGNETISM Tampere has the best image as a travel destination according to a survey conducted by market research company Taloustutkimus in spring 2005. The survey assessed the image of 31 Finnish cities. Tampere has also been named the best university city, and Tampere University of Technology the best university in an assessment of prerequisites for studying conducted by the National Union of Students in Finland. In addition, a Taloustutkimus survey has found that young people in Finland are of the opinion that Tampere Polytechnic has the best image among Finnish polytechnics. In 2004, the City of Tampere came first in an image survey comparing the largest cities in Finland. It was also the most attractive city among Finns who plan on moving. 6 Tampere Business • Science • Life
In the early 20th century, the largest steam engine in Finland, Sulzer, ground out power for the Finlayson cotton factory. In the Tampere of today, old industrial tradition melds with new innovation, technology and business as the city harnesses creative economy as the resource of its future. IVE ECONOMY Asix-year development programme, Creative Tampere, is to be launched in Tampere with the aim of building the Tampere central region into a magnetic environment that inspires people and businesses alike into creative activity. “The concept of creativity is easily associated with culture-related fi elds like art, architecture or media. The Creative Tampere programme, however, is based on a broad and open interpretation of creativity, one that emphasizes innovation in all areas. In practice, for example, this means combining Tampere’s existing highstandard competences and strengths in various fi elds in new ways,” describes Harri Airaksinen, who set the programme in motion. Creative economy with the Tampere approach will emerge around three themes: technology, business, and environment and culture. Airaksinen says that the programme’s fi rst projects are to be launched in the beginning of next year. “Tampere leads the way in the development of technology. Many key technological innovations have already been made. From the perspective of information and communication technology, mechanical engineering and automation, media services and health technology clusters of expertise, for example, creativity might mean an increasingly versatile utilization of these innovations to boost business – whether in the same fi eld in which the innovation originates or in other fi elds – as well as making use of the results to benefi t the man on the street in Tampere.” In addition to identifying and developing creative fi elds themselves and business opportunities related to culture, sights will be set business-wise on the emergence of novel service expertise. Airaksinen also raises the issue of an increase in entrepreneurship education in the region’s universities and polytechnics. The third theme, environment and culture, will bring creative Tampere most tangibly within reach of citizens. According to Airaksinen, attention will be directed particularly to the built-up environment. The real estate refi ning project implemented at Finlayson during the last decade provides a good example to follow for improving another city centre environment, the Tulli area. In addition, creative solutions have already been implemented in the planning of the Vuores area. “The aim is to achieve an active and attractive urban environment. In addition to improving the city landscape it means arranging various cultural events, including those intended for children, the young and minority groups, and the development of tourism.” Strong magnetism also internationally Harri Airaksinen believes that the foundation for implementing the Creative Tampere programme in the city is strong. The eTampere initiative, which concludes at the end of the year, has generated functional cooperation between businesses, the public sector, associations, providers of training and research institutes. “These stakeholders will also produce the content for the Creative Tampere programme and the reception has been enthusiastic throughout. Some of the methods of operation created in eTampere may also continue as part of the new programme,” Airaksinen says, citing as an example the further development of citizens’ online services. According to Airaksinen, eTampere has also produced the necessary international visibility and credibility for the city as well as networks that will be of use when the Creative Tampere projects kick off. He points out that Tampere is also already known as a versatile city of culture and tourism. In image surveys of recent years, Tampere has repeatedly risen to top positions. The city’s magnetism doesn’t need to be created from scratch, simply intensifi ed. The Creative Tampere programme’s sights have been set at 2011, when Tampere might act as the European Capital of Culture. In Harri Airaksinen’s view, Tampere holding the position of culture capital would be a perfect conclusion to the creative project. “In any event, the Creative Tampere programme will develop Tampere in the right direction. The coinciding pursuit of the culture capital position brings additional benefi ts to the programme, for instance by intensifying cooperation between the city’s cultural players and businesses and by creating tangible projects such as landmark renovation.” “By strengthening the prerequisites for diverse creative activity, the Tampere central region will strengthen its own position in the face of tightening global competition for experts and companies,” Airaksinen summarizes. Harri Airaksinen launched the Creative Tampere programme as Tampere’s Director of Business Development. In autumn he leaves for future challenges as Deputy Mayor of Porvoo, responsible for business and development issues. Tampere Business • Science • Life 7
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- Tampere seizes creative economy

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