Changing perspectives for local governments in Sweden Sten Åke Bylund 2012-10-10

My background Geographer Cityplanner Chief executive officer of a neighbourhood council in the Muncipality of Uppsala Head of housing and property management in the Muncipality of Uppsala Manager in SALAR CEO insurance company Researcher, consultant Urban management

Local self government A long history first formulised by a local Government Act 1862. Today they are directly connected to local economic and social conditions. Most people pay income taxes to municipal and county council levels. The Swedish municipalities are comparely wide many with little cooperation with other municipalities etc. The first comprehensive planning focused on the use of land and expansion of urban areas. Municipal reforms in the 1960s and 70s aimed to create municipalities with sufficient capacity to be self-finansing and independent service providers.

Local and regional government in Sweden Today we have 290 municipalities and at the regional level 20 county councils (three are called regions). They have different responsibilities but no hierachy between them. Municipalities (and county councils) are governed by directly elected councils, they have a right to levy income taxes on individuals and are responsible for a broad range of services.

Strong local government services Education and childcare service Elderly care Culture Water and sewage Wast management Energy Housing Planning 5

The existing urban structures Historical dense city core, with great variation and diversity. Originaly including mixed development with residential areas, and businesses. The structure of the city blocks, streets, squares and parks is more organic in historical city-cores The share of business and commercial use has increased at the expense of the residential use The older urban form important to the character and the identity of a city or a town Large suburban areas The functionalist planning promoted separation of func- tions, an emphasis on traffic planning, larger green areas between suburbs, and large, separate residential and industrial areas and commercial centres. 6

Old city core with great variation and diversity

The ”modern” paradigm Large-scale projects in the so-called Million Houses Programme 1965-1975 representing a historic peak of construction in Sweden. Based on the requirements of motorised transport with road networks reinforcing the fragmentation ofurban landscapes into separate areas with different land-use functions Far from existing historical centres The aim was to provide healthy, high standard housing with green areas and playgrounds in a spacious urban environment. Some of the areas built on the ground- breaking concept of suburbs with housing, employment and all neccessary services within walking distance 8

Le Corbusier: Ville Contemporaire 1922

Changing livingconditions and perspectives Education Labour market Intensified international cooperation ex. EU Culture Traveling Recreation and tourism Health care Water supply Environmental care Climate change

Municipality of Kristianstad Perspective

Region Skåne

Labour market regions in Skåne

The Öresund Region commuting

The Öresund region

The Nordic countries Scandinavia

Europe and the world

Locala authorities and sustainable development Today´s urban structures, transport systems and different service systems reflect an administrative structure not adopted to all aspects of sustainable developement. Urban planning and implementation must involve many actors at different levels of government including infrastructure and public transport. Coordination and cooperation is today a significant aspect of sustainable urban development Sustainable urban planning and development processes must be transparent and include wide stakeholder participation. 18

Sustainable development need new perspectives More comprehensive planning and coordination by a range of authorities and stakeholders and cooperation in implementation and administration More holistic and integrated approaches and perspectives regarding wider areas with environmental, social, economic and cultural issues. More of long- term perspectives in planning and in action

Conclusions Many questions on the local level require new analysis, knowledge, methods, etc. as the questions of climate change mitigation, energy provision, regional cooperation and international agreements. While the local governments play an important day-to-day role in service the wider development issues influence planning and development, require regional cooperation among municipalities,county councils and countries.

Changes in sustainable planning and development Small municipalities has limited resourses to undertake the task and reviews that are necesessary. What strategy is needed? A more strategic and regional perspective

My question The Swedish structure of legaly strong municipal organisation with a lot of power to support the every- day- life for everybody is not enough for the future. How can the Swedish municipalities secure the long term quality of life for it´s citizens within the perspective of an economical, environmental, social and cultural sustainable development? Give some examples.

Litterature Developing sustainable cities in Sweden