Citation
(2002), "Eskilstuna: a knowledge-driven city", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 26 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2002.00326hab.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Eskilstuna: a knowledge-driven city
Eskilstuna: a knowledge-driven city
The ways in which the 89,000 inhabitants of Eskilstuna, Sweden, recovered from the industrial crisis of the 1970s to become a knowledge-driven city were outlined at a seminar on "Realizing the Knowledge-driven Economy".
Hans Ekström, who chairs the city's executive board, identified the new high-speed train that takes passengers from Stockholm to Eskilstuna in 50 minutes, improved road communication and the expansion of the university as key factors in bringing about change.
Christer Asplund, executive director of Stockholm Regional Development Agency, argued the need to move from regional development to attraction development. "All regions present themselves as the best place to live and work," he said, "but what makes the difference is to sell one's uniqueness and attraction."
The seminar was organized by the Wales European Centre, with the support of the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) and ELWa (Education and Learning Wales).
Gareth Hall, WDA director of strategy, presented the private-sector-led "Entrepreneurship Action Plan", which is built around the priorities of recognizing business opportunities, creating enterprises and helping those enterprises to grow. The main challenge, he said, is to change attitudes towards entrepreneurship.
The European Commission seeks to promote learning communities which go beyond their statutory duties to provide education and training for those who require it.
A report entitled Creating Learning Cities, Towns and Regions has been published which identifies how cities and regions can promote lifelong learning in their area. The report is available on the Internet, at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/poledu/tels.pdf