Every region possesses its unique strengths, which contribute to its prosperity and growth. However, what happens when those strengths fade away? Population decline and cultural deterioration can lead to a region being forgotten by the rest of the world. Malmö, a city in Sweden, serves as a remarkable example of overcoming such challenges and setting the stage for other new cities to follow suit.
Malmö's Vision for Tomorrow:
Situated as a port city on the Öresund Strait between Sweden and Denmark, Malmö has long played a pivotal role in connecting various regions. Leveraging its geographical advantages, Malmö thrived in shipbuilding from the late 19th to the early 20th century. However, as countries like Korea and Japan emerged as shipbuilding powerhouses in the late 20th century, Malmö's industry began to decline. The city's shipbuilding sector failed to adapt to the global trend, resulting in the gradual decline of Malmö's shipbuilding industry and even the removal of the iconic Cochums crane. The exodus of citizens from Malmö compounded the situation, and the cessation of shipbuilding work led to the emergence of marine pollution.
Yet, Malmö refused to succumb to this crisis. Instead, the city embarked on a transformation journey towards becoming an eco-friendly city. Malmö actively participated in sustainable development projects like "SURE" in Europe and the "RESECO" renewable energy city plan. These initiatives laid the foundation for the "City of Tomorrow."
Linking Renewable Energy and Architecture to Combat Carbon Emissions:
The central objective of Malmö's urban project for tomorrow was to replace all energy consumption in local buildings with renewable energy sources. To achieve this goal, Malmö designated the abandoned industrial complex in the port as the Bo01 district and implemented various projects. The Bo01 district became a "zero-energy town," combining "Bo" (meaning "living" in Swedish) and "01" (signifying the project's commencement in 2001).
Solar panels were installed on the roofs of the Bo01 Earth buildings, generating energy from sunlight. Heat pumps were also utilized to extract energy from underground heat sources, stored in the aquifer. Each house in the district installed food crushing devices to convert food waste into bioenergy. As a result, Bo01 covered 83% of the region's heating demand with eco-friendly energy, significantly improving energy efficiency compared to traditional Swedish housing.
Additionally, wind turbines were erected along the coast. The "Lilgrund Marine Wind Power Plant," located 10km off the west coast of Malmö, currently boasts 48 wind turbines, each standing at 115m tall. This initiative enables Malmö to generate an annual wind energy output of 36,000 MWh, enough to power 13,000 households for a year.
Connecting Eco-Friendly Energy and Architecture:
Malmö's commitment to eco-friendly energy production is reinforced by the city's meticulous design guidelines. These guidelines encompass building orientation, facility installations, and the development of renewable energy supply modules. The aim is to seamlessly integrate renewable energy infrastructure without compromising the urban landscape's aesthetics. As a result of this careful planning, a remarkable architectural feat called "Turning Torso" has emerged as the new symbol of Malmö, replacing the iconic Cochums. This energy-saving building illuminates its surroundings with energy-efficient LED lights, while internally relying solely on locally produced eco-friendly energy.
The Role of Architecture in Creating a Sustainable City:
Malmö's success in integrating eco-friendly energy practices with architectural design underscores the city's emphasis on the built environment as a catalyst for urban improvement. Under the ambitious "Malmoe 2023" project, which seeks to achieve zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, Malmö is implementing the "LFM30" initiative. LFM30 represents a climate-neutral construction project aimed at revolutionizing the construction sector. While participation in LFM30 is voluntary, an impressive 215 companies have chosen to engage in this endeavor. Together, Malmö and these companies are spearheading innovation across the entire construction process, from building design and material selection to procurement and ongoing maintenance. Their collaborative efforts are focused on reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable practices.
The Significance of Malmö's Regional Development Approach:
Malmö's tireless efforts have yielded remarkable results, rejuvenating the city and attracting a renewed influx of people. No longer a city in decline, Malmö now stands as an influential model for urban development worldwide, inspiring other cities, including Korea's Songdo. However, Malmö's aspirations for a better future extend beyond its current achievements. The city understands the interconnectedness of global issues and how its actions can have far-reaching effects. This realization is evident in an administrative report released by Malmö in 2021, which emphasizes that events occurring on the other side of the globe can impact Malmö, and in turn, Malmö's actions can influence the entire world.
Reflecting on the Broader Concept of Regional Development:
Witnessing Malmö's pursuit of impactful city development beyond regional boundaries prompts us to reevaluate our own approaches to "regional development." Malmö's forward-thinking mindset, coupled with its dedication to a sustainable future, inspires anticipation for the introduction of even more vibrant and efficient urban plans. As Malmö continues to prepare for the future with such a visionary perspective, it invites us all to reconsider the possibilities and potential of regional development in the years to come.
Source: ETRI
