The Urban Agenda for the EU addresses issues in cities trough partnerships established between the EU, national governments, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.
Oulu is the coordinator of the European Commission’s Urban Agenda Partnership on Digital Transition, together with Estonia and Sofia in Bulgaria. Close to twenty states, cities and organizations across Europe participate in the partnership process. The kick-off meeting of the partnership took place in February 2017 in Oulu and its most recent working seminar was held in Sofia in early June.
The objective of the partnership is to provide better public services and create business opportunities. The focus is on future health and social care services, e-government, urban planning, future learning and skills development, 5G and other key enabling technologies to build urban platforms. The two horizontal themes include data, standardization and interoperability, as well as new business models for urban growth.
Martti Ahtisaari Institute takes place in collaboration for the partnership, focusing especially on the new technology-enabled business models, and working closely together with the City of Oulu and the School of Architecture of the University of Oulu, among other partnership members.
More information:
Petri Ahokangas and Marika Iivari, Martti Ahtisaari Institute, Petri.Ahokangas[at]oulu.fi, Marika.Iivari[at]oulu.fi
Sari Hirvonen-Kantola, School of Architecture, University of Oulu, Sari.Hirvonen-Kantola[at]oulu.fi
Outi Rouru, City of Oulu, Outi.Rouru[at]ouka.fi