City in change
At Tyrén's R&D day at the Gothenburg Opera, about 170 people gathered to take part in what affects the city's attractiveness. Charlotta Mellander, professor of economics at Jönköping University, together with professor Richard Florida has developed theories about the creative class and cities where these people want to live. The theories concern companies and regions that strive to attract creative individuals. Charlotta Mellander asked the audience what was going on in our heads when she said "Jönköping". Most people in the auditorium answered "church and religion". But perhaps this reflected the average age of the audience (40+) - the feedback given is that the event DreamHack will probably help to give Jönköping a new image.
Brent Toderian who has a background in urban planning, especially from Vancouver, told us about what has made Vancouver one of the world's most attractive cities to live and work in - a result that has emerged in a very short time (20 years). Vancouver has been on The Economist's ranking "The most Livable City" top 10, for several years.
To put today's theme in a more practical context was Jan-Olof Jacke, CEO AstraZeneca Sweden, among the speakers. He described the conditions for global companies to attract the necessary research expertise to Mölndal when the best have so many inquiries and opportunities to choose from. Jacke emphasized the importance of speed and courage in the decision-making processes, as competition is stiff. Why choose Gothenburg rather than Cambridge or Washington, for example? “It is unlikely that we will be able to find the best in the world with a Swedish passport. There are probably some smart people outside Sweden and we want them here. ”
The question is how the image of Gothenburg and other cities is built and affected in relation to the high global rate of development, and what significance it will have for future generations. For my own part, I am convinced that we must think both new and new. We must make it more adapted to the new reality that will soon become another - because it goes so quickly. Screwing a new nut on an old screw where the threads are almost gone can feel natural but gives neither pressure nor the required value. If we lift our eyes while we act in the present, we have the opportunity, the ability and the knowledge to become co-creators. The question is whether we really want and dare.