RBP - Heslsinki

Embedded Scribd iPaper - Requires Javascript and Flash Player
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions PURE Regional Briefing Paper (RBP) HELSINKI, FINLAND Part 1 1. Clarify what is meant by the region in this project e.g. historical and cultural, long-term administrative and legal, or specially created for a particular development purpose. Comment on the advantages and difficulties of the nature and understanding of the region involved. [One general benefit from the PURE project should be to gain a better understanding of what kind of region is effective for what purposes.] We use two geographical delineations (see the map). Firstly, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HMA), which is composed of four municipalities. These are: Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. The HMA is the core of one million people in a larger functional region, which we call the Helsinki Region. The Helsinki Region is composed of 14 municipalities and makes altogether 1.3 million people. These 14 municipalities form three sub-groups: the cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen), the so called KUUMA municipalities (Järvenpää, Nurmijärvi, Tuusula, Kerava, Mäntsälä and Pornainen) and the ’Neloset’ group of municipalities (Hyvinkää, Kirkkonummi, Vihti and Sipoo). The cooperation in the HMA has long tradition, whilst cooperation within the larger Helsinki Region has been started for a few years ago. The Helsinki Region corresponds to the employment zone, which tends to go even further. The cooperation bodies are respectively: The Helsinki Metropolitan Area Advisory Board and The Helsinki Region Cooperation Assembly. See also: www.helsinginseutu.fi The map
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |1
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions Common Vision and Strategy for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area The Helsinki Metropolitan Area is a dynamic world-class centre for business and innovation. Its high-quality services, arts and science, creativity and adaptability promote the prosperity of its citizens and bring benefits to all of Finland. The Metropolitan Area is being developed as a unified region close to nature where it is good to live, learn, work and do business. VISIO Strategic goals:  Joint measures to develop welfare and services.  Improving competitiveness.  Developing the urban structure and housing. STRATEGIES The Helsinki Metropolitan Area Advisory Board is a cooperation body of leading elected officials of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. The activities of the Advisory Board are based on decisions made by the city councils of the cities involved. Items on the agenda are prepared at mayors' meetings, and a joint work plan is adopted every year. The Advisory Board has also approved a Common Vision and Strategy for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The vision is implemented through the launch of cooperation projects. The strategy was incorporated into each city’s operating and financial plan from the beginning of the year 2005 and helps to steer the cities’ strategic planning in the coming years. The Helsinki metropolitan Area Advisory Board has recently adopted a joint Competitiveness Strategy entitled “Prosperous metropolis”. The Helsinki Region Cooperation Assembly is the cooperation body of the leading elected officials of fourteen municipalities in the Helsinki region. The Helsinki Region Cooperation Agreement came into force on 1 October 2005. Regional cooperation aims to secure the Helsinki region's international competitiveness. It is based on a shared view of the region's municipalities on the challenges of the area and a shared goal to promote the area’s development. Regional cooperation focuses particularly on land use, housing and transport issues as well as regional services. Decisions on the details of the cooperation are made under an annual action plan. Co-operation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Some examples: I Co-operation between the state government and the municipalities        Helsingin seudun neuvottelukunta (Advisory Committee for the Helsinki Region 1.7.2003 - 30.4.2007). Suurten kaupunkien neuvottelukunta (Advisory Committee for Large Urban Regions). Metropolitan policy 2009 -2012 and the Metropolitan Policy Committee. Kaupunkipolitiikan yhteistyöryhmä (Urban Policy group for Large Urban Regions 20092012). PLJ –järjestelmä (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Transport System Plan PLJ 2002). HLJ – järjestelmä (Helsinki Region Transport System Plan PLJ 2011). Kaupunkiohjelma (The Urban Programme for the Helsinki Metropolitan Region 2002-2004 and 2005-2007). http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |2
RBP - Helsinki
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions  The program of Competitiveness and Cohesion 2009-2012. NB. This progamme is being translated into English and available at the start of the field study.
II Statutory co-operation between municipalities  YTV (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council), the term of office is ending by 31 Dec. 2009. Two new bodies have been established HSY, which is responsible for environmental services, and HSL, which is responsible for traffic and transportation. These two new bodies will start operating form 1 Jan. 2010. HUS (The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa). Uudenmaan liitto (Uusimaa Regional Council). A joint master plan for the HMA is to be set up in the future.
 
III Development companies, foundations, associations, committees, pluri-annual agreements          PKS-neuvottelukunta (Helsinki Metropolitan Area Advisory Board). Culminatum Ltd (regional development company and centre of expertise). GHP – Gretaer HelsinkiPromotion. Henkilöstöpalveluyritys Seure Henkilöstöpalvelut Oy (company to offer temporary staffing services regionally). HOAS (The Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region). Palmenia, University of Helsinki (Centre for Life Long learning and R&D). AMI (vocational training centre for adults and a development centre for adult education). Virkistysalueyhteistyö (association to purchase and administrate recreational areas). Yliopistoyhteistyö – 9 kaup. tutk. prof. ja Muuttuva kaupunki-tutkimusohjelma (university cooperation with professorships and metropolitan area urban research programme).
IV Direct cooperation among municipalities      Kaupunginjohtajien kokous (Mayor’s meetings). Toimialajohto (deputy mayor’s and sector director’s meetings). Virastopäälliköt (department director’s meetings). Toimialakohtainen yhteistyö ja verkostot (sectoral and departmental cooperation). Raja-alueiden yhteistyö (Cooperation in boarder areas).
V Common services, common quality and price standards, common information systems between municipalities (Yhteispalveluja, palveluja yhtenäisten käytänteiden, kuten yhteisten tietojärjestelmien avulla)       Tietohuolto: perusrekisterit, tilastot, tutkimusprojekteja (information provision: databases, registers, statistics, research projects). Vesi- ja jätevesihuolto (water and waste water services). Energiahuolto (Vantaa Energy partly owned by Helsinki Energy). Junakalustoyhtiö (company to purchase, finance and administrate trains in regional public transport). Kirjastot (libraries). Sosiaalialan osaamiskeskus (The Centre of Expertise on Social Welfare in Helsinki Metropolitan Area).
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |3
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions 2. Set out briefly the key characteristics of the region in terms of geography, economy, demography, social structure, trends and changes, as these affect PURE and the development agenda. The Helsinki Region is a growing Metropolitan Area, with a population of 1.3 million, on the shore of the Baltic Sea. The region is characterised by its highly educated population, high standard of living, diverse services and highly specialised economic life. In addition to the region’s own knowhow and economic life, the development of the Helsinki Region is sparked by its close connections to other metropolises. Geographically, the nearest of these are St. Petersburg in the east, Tallinn in the south and Stockholm in the west. The Baltic Sea also connects the Helsinki Region to many other Northern European metropolitan regions. The Helsinki Region is an international traffic junction and a gateway to culture and tourism in other parts of Finland. The inhabitants of the Helsinki Region feel their area of residence safe and value their life both in their immediate surroundings and in the area. The differences between residential areas are very small compared to many other European metropolises. (see Urban Audit, www.urbanaudit.org). Drawing on the four key drivers of urban competitiveness and on size, economic structure, and economic performance of the city, the authors of the State of European Cities Report introduce a tentative typology of urban competitiveness. The typology of European cities presents three major groups of competitiveness, namely international hubs, specialised poles, and regional poles. Knowledge-hubs are key players in the global economy and their assets are above all a high core city population, a larger urban zone population, a high share of in-migrants, GDP growth higher than average, high GDP per capita, a high employment rate and low unemployment rate, a high share of well-qualified residents, high entrepreneurship rates and high accessibility. Examples of cities belonging to this group are Hamburg, Frankfurt, München, Copenhagen, Barcelona, Helsinki, Lyon, Dublin, Milano, Amsterdam, and Stockholm. (State of European Cities Report. Adding value to the European Urban Audit. Study contracted by the European Commission and prepared by ECOTEC Research and Consulting Ltd, in co-operation with NordRegio and Eurofutures. May 2007.) The Helsinki Region accounts for about 25 percent of Finland’s population, almost 30 percent of the labour force, about one third of the productivity and more than 40 percent of the investments in research and development. The level of investments in research and development is quite high in Helsinki – 4.1 percent of the gross domestic product. The respective value in Finland is 3.5 per cent, which exceeds the EU three percent objective. The economics have grown in the Helsinki Region more rapidly than in the rest of the country and are on a high level compared with the whole of the European Union. The level of productivity of the Helsinki Region was twice as high as the average of EU27 countries in 2007. In Finland as a whole, the productivity stands 17 percent over the average of EU. Table 1 Some economic indicators of the Helsinki Region Area Total population Economically active population (2008) Gross domestic product (GDP) (GDP per capita if EU 15 = 100) GDP ratio area/national Gross fixed capital formation Labour productivity Gross domestic expenditure on R&D as % of GDP
RBP - Helsinki
6365.6 sq. km 1.3 million 76.1% €37,000 million (142) 1.41 €7,500 million €37,000 million 4.1%
Page |4
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions Corporate expenditure on R&D Total R&D employees per 1.000 economically active 64% 41.2
Source: Technopolis Ventures and Helsinki City Urban Facts Office.
Jobs by industry in Finland, Helsinki Region and Metropolitan Area's municipalities 2008
Helsinki  Helsinki  Metropolitan  Region Area All industries % Agriculture, forestry,  fishing and mining Manufacturing Electricity, gas and water  supply Construction Wholesale and retail trade Hotels and restaurants Transport, storage and com Financial intermediation Real estate, renting and  business activities Public administration and  defence Education Health and social work Other community, social  and personal service  activities Others and unknown 743 147 100,0 0,3 9,8 0,7 5,5 15,1 3,7 8,9 4,1 19,6 6,4 6,0 11,7 650 893 100,0 0,3 9,8 0,7 5,5 15,1 3,7 8,9 4,1 19,6 6,4 6,0 11,7
Helsinki 413 232 100,0 0,2 8,1 0,6 5,2 11,8 3,9 7,7 5,1 20,7 8,5 5,9 12,2
Espoo 125 661 100,0 0,4 14,1 1,4 4,6 20,7 3,0 2,8 3,6 22,6 2,0 8,0 11,6
Vantaa  109 065 100,0 0,5 11,6 0,4 7,7 20,9 3,6 20,5 0,8 12,2 3,7 3,7 9,6
Finland 2 530 551 100,0 4,7 17,3 0,7 7,3 12,4 3,5 6,9 2,0 12,5 4,6 6,4 15,2
7,4 0,9
7,4 0,9
9,2 0,9
4,2 1,0
4,3 0,4
5,7 0,9
Source: Statistics Finland, Labour survey
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |5
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions
11 0 1 08 0 0 1 06 1 = 1 / 5 0 0 1 04 2 , i s k e 1 02 d n I 1 00
1 5 0 0 2 2 5 0 0 2 3 5 0 0 2 4 5 0 0 2 1 6 0 0 2 2 6 0 0 2 3 6 0 0 2 4 6 0 0 2 1 7 0 0 2 2 7 0 0 2 3 7 0 0 2 4 7 0 0 2 1 8 0 0 2 2 8 0 0 2 3 8 0 0 2 4 8 0 0 2 1 9 0 0 2 2 9 0 0 2
K o ko ma a
H e ls in gin se utu
H elsink i
Some current characteristics of Helsinki Region             42% 1 person’s households . Average size of households 2.1. 54% families with children. Municipal day care is very popular among 1-6 year olds, but under one year olds are mostly cared at home. High number of single parent households compared to the rest of the country. Having received living allowances is more frequent among 1-member households and loneparents households. High educational level among the residents: over 35% of all the inhabitants aged 15 and over have a tertiary level education. According to Urban Audit database Helsinki region ranks highest among European capital regions. The number of immigrants is growing rapidly, but is relatively low (7.5%) compared to European capitals. The society is very equal. However there are some signs on growing differences in income levels. There is a concern about unemployment growing, though Helsinki offers great job opportunities. Helsinki dwellers are pleased with the everyday services, their life in the city and in their neighbourhood (according to Urban Audit and other surveys recently carried out). (More comprehensive statistics as attachment).
Local authorities - responsibilities of the Finnish municipalities In Finland, local authorities are responsible for providing welfare services for their residents. Local government in Finland is based on local self-government, which is safeguarded in the Finnish Constitution. Current research shows that Finns lay great value on municipal services and as customers they are satisfied with the services. RBP - Helsinki http://www.obs-pascal.com/  Page |6
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions           Run the country’s comprehensive and upper secondary schools, vocational institutions and polytechnics. Provide adult education, art classes, cultural and recreational services, and run libraries. Provide child day-care, welfare for the aged and the disabled, and a wide range of other social services. Provide preventive and primary care, specialist medical care and dental care. Promote a healthy living environment. Supervise land use and planning. Are responsible for water and energy supply, waste management, street and road maintenance and environmental protection. Finnish local authorities are continuously improving their services and seek to ensure their performance and efficiency. A lot of attention is paid to the quality and accessibility of the services. Several municipal services can be accessed over the Internet and more online services are becoming available.
Key resources in the area:     Universities (outlined in Regional Profile). Universities of applied sciences (polytechnics) ( outlined in Regional Profile). Research institutes. The educational basis in the area, higher education.
UNIVERSITIES IN THE HELSINKI REGION
• • • • • • • • • University of Helsinki  Helsinki University of Technology  Helsinki School of Economics  Hanken School of Economics  Academy of Fine Arts  Sibelius Academy  University of Art and Design  Theatre Academy  Finnish National Defence University 35 216 students 14 282 3 183 2 127 246  1 259 1 931  388
Number of students on 20.9.2008. Source: Statistical Finland
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |7
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions
UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES IN THE  HELSINKI REGION
• Arcada  • Diaconia • Haaga‐Helia  • Humak • Laurea • Metropolia  2 255   students 3 121 9 655 1 332 7 571 13 598
Number of students on 20.9.2008. All of the students are not necessarily studying in the area of Helsinki region Source: Statistical Finland
Proportion of population aged 15 and over with a  higher education degree (ISCED 5 or 6) in 31.12.2007 
Helsinki
Helsinki Region
Total Women Men
Finland
% 0 10 20 30 40
Source: Statistics Finland
Knowledge infrastructure and innovative platforms  Culminatum Innovation Oy Ltd is a development company owned by the Uusimaa Regional Council, the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, and universities, polytechnics, research institutes and business community of Helsinki region.The main function of Culminatum
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |8
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions Innovation Oy Ltd is to manage the Centre of Expertise Programme within Helsinki Region over the current third programme period 2007 - 2013. This programme promotes utilisation of the highest international standard of knowledge and expertise in business, job creation and regional development.  Over the years 2007-2013 the Centre of Expertise programme covers nine cluster fields in the Helsinki region: > DIGIBUSINESS Cluster > Environmental Technology Cluster > Food Processing Development Cluster > HealthBIO - Health Cluster > Living Cluster > Nanotechnology Competence Cluster > Tourism and Experience Management Cluster > Ubiquitous Computing > Well-being Cluster http://www.culminatum.fi/en/sivu.php?id=3  Forum Virium Helsinki promotes the development of digital services. The neutral, independent cooperation cluster brings together ideas and content creators with high-growth and established companies as well as public sector organizations. Forum Virium Helsinki leads development projects and opens contacts to international markets, in addition to playing a key part in creating Living Lab test environments in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The goal of these initiatives is to advance next-generation digital services and business models.Forum Virium Helsinki's key member companies are Elisa, Nokia, TeliaSonera, Tieto, Veikkaus and Finnish Broadcasting Company. Partners include Destia, Digita, Itella, Logica, SOK and MTV Media. The public sector is represented by the City of Helsinki, Finnvera, SITRA (The Finnish Innovation Fund ), TEKES (Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) and VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland). SME partners are Adage, ConnectedDay, Futurice and Idean. FVH's development projects also encompass a large number of high-growth companies based in the Helsinki region. http://www.forumvirium.fi/en/  Active Life Village is a unique centre of welfare competence with the goal of promoting the creation and commercialisation of competitive innovations together with users. The nonprofit-making Active Life Village Oy functions as a catalyst for welfare service innovations, and provides companies with an inspirational environment, development activities and business support. Users, subscribers, different types of experts and researchers work in genuine collaboration in the unique environment of Active Life Village. Partners include service and technology companies in the field of welfare, public and third sector organisations and other customers. Cooperation takes place with elderly persons, people of working age, families, children and young people. Innovations assist in encouraging people to take responsibility for their own welfare. http://www.activelifevillage.fi/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid= 17  RFID Lab Finland, the leading Finnish application center for RFID technology is a publicly registered association with 33 member companies and organizations.The target for RFID Lab Finland activities is to enhance the business activity based on the Finnish knowhow in the area of automatic identification and especially in RFID business area. To meet the target RFID http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
Page |9
RBP - Helsinki
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions Lab Finland will realise clustering, information collection and information sharing activities, thematic and technology seminars, excursions, educational and workshop services, participate nationally and internationally in the seminars in this business area as well as run development projects and initiatives in Finland. http://www.rfidlab.fi/?2 There are also more examples of development projects and programs and specific efforts of joining forces in the region. These will be highlighted by interviews to take place during the field visit to Helsinki.
3. Identify and draw together a reference list of the main data sources available on the socio-economic, environmental, etc. condition of the region, and recent trends. This list is extensive and can be demonstrated by the City of Helsinki Urban Facts, www.hel.fi/tietokeskus during the field visit to Helsinki. 4. Summarise any existing efforts to monitor and benchmark progress against purposes and targets. Please comment on any interest in and pressure for the measurement of quality and outcomes, including value for money auditing, that you are aware of in the region. [It is hoped that the project will assist an understanding of what kinds of indicators and quantitative measures of regional development and the contribution of HEIs to this work and are useful.] See www.helsinginseutu.fi and the work of HMA Advisory Board. In addition some pieces of international comparisons are listed below: EURICUR: Student City The European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (Euricur) aims to gain a deeper understanding of how cities develop and how they are managed. To that end Euricur initiates and carries out studies on strategic urban issues in response to the challenges cities and metropolitan regions face. We have tested this framework in nine European cities: Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven (NL), München (D), Lyon and Lille (F), Venice (I), Birmingham (GB) and Helsinki (SF). We have found a wide typology of situations and problems, with some common points that are clear indications for policymakers. To name a few, the importance that firms today attach to flexible, locallyoriented education curricula, which puts increased pressure on HEIs to work together with local governments in the definition of their supply; and the importance of diverse, versatile student communities in building the creative city, which underscores the role of campus planning but also solicits a socially responsible attitude of firms in enhancing the quality of education facilities. http://www.euricur.nl/default.asp?id=795&page=&keuze=publications&publication=30 UCUE: Student City Union of the Capitals of the Union of Europe Co-operation and Local Partnership Between Cities and Universities Experiences of European Union Capital Cities
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 10
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions In 2001, Helsinki chaired the UCUE, i.e. the Union of the Capitals of the Union of Europe. The annual meeting was held in Helsinki on 28 September. It is customary in the UCUE for the chair city to choose a discussion theme for the annual meeting. Helsinki had chosen the theme of cooperation between cities and universities. Helsinki has long traditions in this field, and in recent years, this co-operation has been intensified. By choosing this theme we wanted to activate an all-European debate and learn from the experience of other capitals. This publication has come about as a result of the contributions given by the capitals’ representatives at the annual meeting. I am confident it will serve one of the purposes that the UCUE has had since its foundation in 1961: to exchange experiences and knowledge between cities. http://www.uceu.org/Assemblees/assemblee%202001%20EN.pdf. Antti Hautamäki: ”Sustainable innovation and innovation centres”, an article based on a piece of research is available in the Quarterly, City of Helsinki Urban Facts. www.hel2.fi/tietokeskus/kvartti/.../Kvartti_08_Quarterly.pdf An assessment of the work of the nine urban research professorships at the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki Technical University undertaken by an International Advisory Board in 2008. NB. A report may be handed over at the field visit in Helsinki. 5. List the main existing forms of collaboration between HEIs and the region. You may need to consider the region as a single administrative entity, but also note and include more localized and specialized significant HEI partnerships with other stakeholders - public, private, and NGO or third sector. There is collaboration between the city of Helsinki, Espooo and Vantaa and all the universities in the area. The collaboration can be summarized as follows (from the point of view of the cities):          Joint agreements. Biliteral agreements. Regular high-level meetings and forums. Consultations. Projects. Programs. Seminars. Various targeted efforts. Cooperation also concerning development of urban infrastructure.
University of Helsinki The Finnish university system is undergoing a historic reform. The new University Act, which will enter into force in August 2009, will further extend the autonomy of universities. Separated from the state, the Finnish universities will become either public-law corporations, like the University of Helsinki, or private-law foundations. The reform will also affect university finances, decision-making procedures and human resources policies. Universities will align their operations with the new law beginning in 2010. The reform will further improve the high quality of research and teaching at the University of Helsinki. The goal of the University of Helsinki is to be one of the best multidisciplinary research universities in the world. The University of Helsinki is currently preparing its strategy for 2010–2012. The new strategy is based on the increased autonomy resulting from the New University Act and on the anticipated outcomes of this greater latitude.
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 11
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions According to an international evaluation conducted in 2005, the University of Helsinki is home to world-quality research on a grand scale. Nearly two-thirds of the evaluated 75 research units received the highest or second highest of the seven grades when compared with their European peers. Moreover, for years now, different international rankings have consistently placed the University of Helsinki among the hundred best universities in the world - in the top one percent of approximately 15,000 universities. One of the best in the world. The new strategy highlights:  Top-level research.  Improved teaching quality.  Strong social impact. www.helsinki.fi Helsinki Business School There is cooperation on many levels. One example is broad cooperation in the field of understanding the value of the Baltic Sea market area (Tallinn- Helsinki. In particular) The cooperation is done in collaboration with city of Helsinki as well as the Helsinki Chamber of Commerce and a few more local and regional stakeholders (various projects & strategic planning) and the centre for markets in transitions form the business school. http://www.hse.fi/EN/cemat/CEMAT Aalto University Aalto University is a new Innovation university combining Helsinki Business school (HSE), University of Technology (TKK) and University of Art and design (TaiK). The collaboration forums are called factories and there are three of those:  Service Factory - Towards service co-creation.  Media Factory.  Design Factory. The Service Factory combines the service-related expertise of HSE, TaiK and TKK. It is an open network which brings together researchers and teachers of the three universities and is also a platform for inspirational activities by combining different perspectives on research, teaching and the development of services. www.aaltoyliopisto.info/en/
Metropolitan Policy and Urban Research Co-operation, networking, joining forces In 1998, the City of Helsinki, the Ministry of Education and the University of Helsinki agreed to intensify their co-operation in the field of urban research. The agreement generated six new professorships at the University for a term of five years. In 2003, this model was further
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 12
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions extended. A new agreement was reached between the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Lahti, the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki Technical University and the Ministry of Education. According to new agreement altogether nine professorships in urban research were achieved, seven professors accommodated at the University of Helsinki and two at the Helsinki Technical University. The research fields are: European metropolitan planning, urban history, social policy, urban sociology, urban economics, urban ecology, urban ecosystem, urban technological systems, and urban geography. For the City of Helsinki, and for the entire Helsinki Region, this is a unique opportunity to advance urban research of high quality, to cooperate in the fulfilment of a joint research program, and to make the urban dimension more visible in the university curricula. Today, the model of professorships in urban research is being further enlarged. The new model is developed in the frame of the new national metropolitan policy. The focus of the research is on the specific needs of the metropolitan region. The aim is to achieve an agreement between all stakeholders - the cities, universities and universities of applied sciences in the region and the state administration – in order to strengthening urban research and to advance the use of urban research findings and scientific knowledge.
Urban Research and Metropolitan Policy Project secretariat, 2 7 October 2008
METROPOLITAN POLICY AND URBAN RESEARCH
Focuses and principles of the national metropolitan policy
A. Land use, housing and traffic B. Strengthening international competitiveness C. Multi‐culturalism, immigration and bilingualism D. Social coherence
Agreement of intention to advance urban research and to turn urban research findings into practice
Urban research at universities to promote metropolitan develoment
Research and cooperation programme targeted at four main priorities Living environment and urban structures Multiculturalism and immigration Welfare policies and services Economy and competitiveness Partnerships, networking, cooperation
Univer‐ sities HMA cities and Lahti State admin‐ istration Business community Other actors
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 13
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions 6. If there are any examples of good practice in HEI-regional engagement that you think of special interest, perhaps for inclusion later in a PURE Good Practice Manual, please make a note of them to call to the attention of the CDG. In this section we now deliver our answer on a more general level. More in depth answers and views will be communicated in the interviews during the field visit. It is of course a question of what change is desired and what crucial development is requested. What concerns Part 2, we would also like to learn from other major city regions and their experiences. How have they managed in the cooperation with HEI´s?
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 14
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions Part 2 1. What are: 1.1 The main problems and challenges  Services – new service concepts and service innovations. Especially in the field of welfare services. Special interest: The need for information and development: preventive social (welfare) services  How can HEI’s support and provide assistance in these changes? What kinds of triple / quadraple helix / city-university-business-NGO-end user models should be developed? The new service concepts and models are expected to be inclusive.  Enforced cooperation with both universities and universities of applied sciences (polytechnics). 1.2 The main development aspirations that are shared by stakeholders in the region? Please consider the full spectrum of civil, economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors, including issues of sustainability, where these apply. In particular, what impact is the current global financial and economic crisis – and the global environmental crisis (global warming etc) - having on your thinking and long-term planning as a region and different stakeholders? What has really altered (or is changing) in your policy planning since one year ago? Helsinki Metropolitan Area Advisory Board VARIOUS FORMS OF COOPERATION TO IMPROVE WELL-BEING AND TO MAKE SERVICES MORE EFFICIENT A common strategy for arranging welfare services and for cooperation in the development of service processes. SOCIAL WELFARE AND HEALTH SERVICES  Care for the elderly An innovative environment helping the elderly to cope on their own Generating innovations and turning them into practice, a project joining the Uusimaa Council, the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vanta, the Tekes National Technology Agency, 23 companies in the welfare sector and Culminatum Ltd., an operation model based on partnership and cooperation is being tested. The project is funded by the Centre of Expertise for Medical and Welfare Technologies.  The SAKOTA research project on returning home from hospital The objective is to study how the efficiency and quality of hospital care for the elderly has developed as a whole including the entire nursing period, and to identify factors influencing efficiency and quality.  Swedish-language mental health services and drug abuser rehabilitation A survey is being conducted on how to arrange comprehensive mental health care for Swedish-speaking children and adolescents.
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 15
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions The network of Swedish-speaking civil servants working in the abuser rehabilitation services is supported. Background studies have been conducted by the Helsinki City Health Department on the Swedish-language mental care services for children and adolescents and on Swedish-language abuser services in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. ALL SECTORS Principles for the shared use of services:  Efficient use of the service capacity, and the steering of investments Service networks are analysed from the angle of shared use. In the first phase, underused service premises are identified in the various municipalities, especially near municipal borders, where these premises could be used by residents of the neighbouring municipality. A second phase analyses whether service premises in planned, not yet built, areas could not be shared with neighbouring municipalities. The need for investment in streets, plumbing etc. is studied.  Survey on peripheral service facilities and their capacity The question is analysed to what extent child day care, education and health centre services could be provided across municipal borders.  Concentration of services for special groups to achieve economies of scale By concentrating services for small special groups (language, religion, addiction, etc.), the quality of services is improved, as expertise required is gathered under the same roof.  Survey on possible cooperation in immigrants’ interpreter services The aim is to achieve better service and lower costs.  Quality criteria for shared services Quality criteria for shared services are applied to ensure a uniform level of services. Whenever service is purchased, these quality criteria should be included in the deal.  Common service and quality criteria The project aims to achieve common criteria and game rules for their application.  Developing a virtual environment for the services The shared use of services requires smooth and immediate transfer of data between the authorities of the various cities. For this purpose common network services, interlinked data systems, common use of data systems should be achieved.
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 16
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions  Overview of cooperation targets and a regional implementation plan A regional portal is set up where residents can find their way to and express their opinions on shared public services.  Principles for setting the prices of services The general rule is that whenever a resident of one municipality uses the services of another municipality, the home municipality of this resident should pay for the net expenses incurred.  Survey on the pricing of shared services The pricing of municipal services and the expenses it is based on are analysed, as is the need for supplementary education possibly required for the staff.  Developing game rules and practices for tendering and common purchases The aim is to achieve economies of scale through cooperation between cities in tendering and common purchases.  Common game rules for common purchases Common game rules for public purchases in the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area are drawn up. Tendering may concern both goods and services. The possible establishment of a common tendering authority for the municipalities is investigated.  Service contracts The objective is to create common practice for sales and purchase of services between the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area. Survey on legal conditions of cooperation between municipalities and a model contract. A task force has presented its propositions.  Cooperation in the field of population forecast The shared use of services across municipal borders requires a common population and age structure projection, on the basis of which functions can be dimensioned. This particularly applies to borderline districts.  A population and age structure projection for border areas A projection is made using the overall and district forecasts of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The projection is made for those areas in which shared use of services across borders can be considered. The span of the projection would be around ten years.  Informing residents about the common use of services Information about services that can be used across borders is spread to the residents concerned. Access, service hours, etc. are key issues.
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 17
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions  A common information plan Internal and external information about the proceeding of this programme.  Cooperation in Swedish-language services. Survey on projects for developing the Swedish-language services. Municipalities continue the implementation of the Language Act in practice.  Cooperation in consumer counselling Survey on possible cooperation in municipal consumer counselling. Possible cooperation in consumer counselling has been investigated in 2005.  Cooperation with the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa Flaws have been revealed in the administration and practices of the HDHU. The hospital district is not being developed as a whole. This has contributed to a situation where hospital facilities and staff capacity in the region have not been used optimally in terms of either functions or economy. The municipalities participate in the strategic development of the HDHU in order to put things right so that optimal conditions for hospital are achieved.  A common board for all hospitals in the Metropolitan Area To consolidate the management of the HDHU, a board will be set up to replace the separate boards of each hospital in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.  A survey on the HDHU’s service network and the best service and production structure The expertise consulted is required to have extensive international experience of health care and of relevant evaluation methods, and also have profound knowledge of the health sector economy. 2. What are the main changes that are looked for in taking part in PURE: Once again, here are some answers, thoughts. More will be delivered at the occasion of the field trip. To gain from best practices and major achievements in other metropolitan regions, such as Melbourne, Amsterdam, British major cities, Öresund, USA and Canadian experiences, and also from the OECD cooperation.  From the point of view of the Triple Helix model, i.e. HEI´s, cities, companies.  From the point of view of challenges linked with improving and developing services, and initiating new innovative services.  Getting new ideas for future development.  Opportunity for new, international networks to be new tools and offering new possibilities for development work in the Helsinki Region. 2.1 2.2 For the region as a whole, and for particular communities and interests within it? Within and on the part of higher education institutions i.e. sought by the HEIs themselves, and looked for by other stakeholders from HEIs? http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 18
RBP - Helsinki
Observatory PASCAL
Place Management, Social Capital and Learning Regions 2.3 2.4 In terms of how regional and local government are managed? In terms of the role and policies of central government?
3. What key issues do you wish to discuss with the CDG when it visits your region?  What are the most promising experiences and new findings from lessons learned in the PURE so far?  Services – new service concepts and service innovations. Especially in the field of welfare services o Special interest: The need for information and development: preventive social (welfare) services o Inclusive social services  How can HEI’s support and provide assistance in these changes? What kind of triple / quadraple helix / city-university-business-NGO-end user models should be developed?  HEI – cities and the region cooperation concepts and models.
RBP - Helsinki
http://www.obs-pascal.com/ 
P a g e | 19