From current situation to new situation: The urban vision as a starting point for attractiveness in Sundsvall municipality

For a long number of years, Västernorrland has had a weak economic development and a stagnating/declining population, but is now facing a revolutionary wave of industrialization and transition. This means both problems and opportunities.

The attractiveness of places determines where people choose to settle. Research shows that it is crucial for access to skills. Without attractiveness, individuals do not move to the place to the extent that is needed, and those who do do not stay to the extent that is required, but tend to become so-called fly-in/fly-out citizens or leave the place for good.

Background

The project will contribute research-based knowledge about factors that affect the attractiveness of places and thus the opportunities for growth. The project also aims to develop a model for development work and working methods for actors who work for and with regional development based on the attractiveness of places.

This will be done, among other things, through increased theoretical understanding and practical advice regarding obstacles and opportunities for skills supply with a focus on attracting, welcoming and retaining skills.

The ambition is that within the framework of the project, arenas will be designed for the exchange of experience and joint learning. The intention is also that Sundsvall as a municipality will be given improved opportunities to shape "new situations" based on the specific conditions and needs of its current locations, for example in the form of an action plan for the work of attracting, welcoming and retaining acquired and existing skills as part of the design of the revised the city vision.

Dissemination

Communication efforts with the aim of making visible and utilising the project's effects are planned and budgeted within the project. The results of the study will be ongoing to:

• published on Mid Sweden University's website,
• on CER's website, miun.se/CER
• via posts in CER's social channels
• via posts in CER's blog series,
• within Bomorrow (conference and webinars)
• workshops with Sundsvall municipality (also joint with several municipalities if more at a later stage tie to the overall project idea).

The research results will be presented relatively late during (and in some cases after) the project period:

• A conference
• in a research article
• in a chapter in a popular science anthology
• through popular science presentations at CER's research forum.

Project organization

The project is funded by Mid Sweden University's municipal collaboration agreement and is coordinated by researchers from the Centre for Research on Economic Relations (CER) and CERUM at Umeå University. Representatives from the municipality concerned also participate.