Gothenburg, laboratory for the urban Europe of the future

Some cities would feel frustrated to be the eternal number 2 behind the capital of a country. Well, that's not at all the case for Gothenburg, Sweden's second largest metropolis. Quite the contrary, in fact. Gothenburg is happy with what it is A city that is neither too big - with almost 600,000 inhabitants within its walls - nor too small. In fact, it boasts the distinction of being the largest Scandinavian city not to be a capital.

In 2017, the metropolitan region spent the million inhabitant mark and aims to reach the 1.2 million mark by the end of the decade. This target is supported by more than 100 billion euros of investment in new infrastructure. Housing, business and leisure centres, new green spaces and new train lines are already dotting the city with construction sites...

This joy of living in Göteborg is reflected in many conversations with local people. " We feel at home hereThe cost of living is lower than in Stockholm and we have all the attributes of a major European city." says Bili, a German who has fallen in love with the city and works for one of the most famous Swedish companies in the world, Volvo.

Traditionally open to the world

Gothenburg is said to have the most open-minded population in Sweden. The most talkative too, a trait not so common among Swedes, who are generally reserved by nature. This is probably due to the history of this very special city. With its quadrilateral streets running alongside canals, Gothenburg looks like a Dutch city. It was the Swedes who built the town in the 17th century, bringing with them their maritime know-how. Having become a major trading centre in northern Europe, the town attracted not only Swedes, but also Germans and English. A city that has always been cosmopolitan and therefore open to the world.

This story helps us understand why Gothenburg has become one of Sweden's leading industrial centres. In addition to Volvo, the city is also the headquarters of the SKF group, one of the world's leading mechanical engineering suppliers, as well as telecommunications giant Ericsson. Covid-19 has even helped to raise the city's profile as an industrial centre! After all, who hasn't heard of the famous pharmaceutical and biotechnology company? Astra Zeneca, based in Göteborg,...

" Our history as a maritime hub explains why we are now Scandinavia's leading port. This also justifies the presence of cutting-edge industries. Today, Göteborg is increasingly asserting its position as a centre of excellence. a research and knowledge centreWe are also a centre of excellence in the social and medical sciences, as well as cutting-edge technologies. This is nurtured by a vast network of universities, laboratories and incubators, making us a veritable "knowledge hub". smart city "in Europe" describes Ulrika Scoliège, Project Manager, Göteborg Convention Bureau.

Smart City is more than just a marketing idea in Göteborg. A third of all investment in research and development takes place in Sweden's second-largest city. " We want to give our economy a real human dimension. That's why we define our economic growth as "sustainable". The companies here seek above all to contribute to the well-being of the region's inhabitants and, of course, to the environment. well-being of the planet" Ulrika Scoliège continues.

Sustainable city

Sustainability is Gothenburg's new mantra. This concept permeates all areas of daily life in the city, from public transport to water management, from health to education. Public transport is converting to all-electricity, with 97% already running on recyclable energy. In the tourism sector, 95% of the city's hotel rooms are certified ecological. And there are more shops selling recycled clothing and furniture here than anywhere else in Scandinavia.

With enviable results: Göteborg has been ranked six times as the most sustainable city in the world by the GDS (Global Destination Sustainability Movement). Even in 2021, in the midst of a pandemic! A distinction that adds a little more to the pride of the people of Gothenburg. And it should stimulate the curiosity of travellers - both business and leisure - to come to Gothenburg. With every chance of falling under its spell...