The rapid pace of urbanisation affects millions of people around the globe, posing challenges for health, safety and the environment. It also creates a growing global demand for solutions for the urban environment.
By 2050, 66% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban conurbations. The UN Agenda 2030 recognises the crucial role of cities in driving sustainable development, as highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal 11 on the importance of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
In the Nordic region we can offer high quality urban solutions based on our Nordic strengths such as good governance, public-private partnerships, design tradition, environmental and social consciousness as well as robust technological solutions.
The aim of Nordic Sustainable Cities is to strengthen the Nordic brand, add value to existing trade promotion efforts through Nordic cooperation and to expand the market potential for Nordic businesses. The project is carried out in close cooperation with national export organisations, clusters and businesses. To promote Nordic solutions for sustainable, liveable and smart cities on a global level, the project will:
- Develop an ambitious branding effort.
- Build a joint Nordic export platform.
- Establish political partnerships and networks.
These activities will help facilitate cooperation between Nordic stakeholders, and increase opportunities for export. The project will be run in close collaboration with national trade promotion agencies, clusters and businesses.
Program background
Nordic Sustainable Cities is one of six flagship projects under Nordic Solutions to Global Challenges, which is the five Nordic prime ministers' initiative to share knowledge and experience from the Nordic region to help reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative is coordinated by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Nordic Sustainable Cities builds on the success of Nordic Built Cities, which explored the development of innovative solutions for sustainable, smart and liveable cities. The project is managed by Nordic Innovation.
The initiative has activities outside the Nordic Region in the sub-project Nordic City Solution. Nordic City Solutions showcases and promotes export of Nordic solutions to urban sustainable development challenges in three major markets North America, China and India.
Nordic Sustainable Cities received extended funding for a one year from Nordic Council of Ministers in total amount of DKK 2 million.
Based on evaluation of the results, activities in North America and China continues in 2020, while the India part of the program is ending as planned.
Branding and communication material
What Makes a Sustainable City booklet
Booklet on Nordic sustainable cities based on the white paper on Nordic Sustainable Cities developed by Nordregio (see below).
Download the booklet.
Download the booklet (Chinese version).
For print version of both the English and Chinese booklet, please contact us directly.
White Paper on Nordic Sustainable Cities
White paper on the Nordic story on sustainable cities developed by Nordregio. The white paper tries to define what a sustainable city is in a Nordic context.
Download the white paper.
Nordic Sustainable Cities – 54 cases
Browse through Nordregio's catalogue of the 54 cases that exemplify the ideas outlined in the ‘White Paper on Nordic Sustainable Cities’ (see above).
Check out the 54 cases!
What Makes a Sustainable City presentation
Powerpoint presentation based on the booklet (78 MB). Download it and use it as you like. Feel free to delete slides, add slides and make it you own.
Download the presentation.
An Exporter's Introduction to Financing
A one-pager (PDF) for Nordic export companies describing how the Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish governments can give export credit guarantees to international projects involving Nordic companies.
Download the PDF.
Video: Nordic Climate Adaption Solutions
Take a closer look at five examples of Nordic solutions that help create sustainable and resilient cities where people can thrive.
Check out the video on YouTube.
Video: Nordic Resiliency Solutions
From Gothenburg to Copenhagen and Oslo to Helsinki, major cities across the entire region are busy developing clever solutions to withstand the increasing threat of extreme weather.
This YouTube video shows some of them.
Video: Nordic solutions to waste management
How we handle waste plays an improtant role to the climate. In this film we take a look at Nordic innovative solutions to waste management.
Watch the video on YouTube.
How Do We Turn Waste to Wealth booklet
The Nordic countries are aiming for a zero waste society where waste is avoided. This booklet showcases 3 different cases in Denmark, Sweden and Norway that cover waste-to-energy, auto recycling and biological waste management solutions.
Download the booklet.
How Do We Adapt Our Cities to Water Booklet
This booklet showcases city solutions originating in the Nordic countries and applicable throughout the world. It gives insights into some of the ideas and solutions that enable more resilient cities.
Download the booklet.
