A group of 19 representatives for Kosovo Municipalities, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme (MuSPP) of UN-HABITAT visited Swedish municipalities from 12 to 17 of September 2011. The main purpose of the study tour was to get more familiar with the Swedish planning system, and practical implementation of sustainable development principles. The visit was organised by MuSPP funded by Sida, in cooperation with four municipalities, where different presentations and experiences were shared with the guests from Kosovo.
In the municipality of Norrköping, an old industrial city, the visitors were hosted by the Head of the Planning Department. An introduction of the planning system in Sweden and the planning and environmental codes was given for all participants. Some examples were also given from the Norrköping comprehensive planning and rural development planning. The presentations were followed by a guided tour in the central part of the city, where the revitalising and transformation of the industrial area was the focus of the walk. After closing down of industrial activities the industrial landscape had for many years been neglected and not utilised for any activities, but are now seeing a revival as a centre of culture, education and knowledge oriented businesses. Many old industrial buildings are turned into modern educational and cultural facilities, offices and high tech businesses as well as luxury apartments. Interesting architecture with new annexes and attachments to the old buildings, and many other creative solutions in the old industrial landscape were presented to the participants.
The study tour continued with the visit in the municipality of Söderköping, an important market place in medieval era, and a famous spa in modern times. This small municipality nowadays benefits most from the tourists during summer times, which come to visit an attractive canal (Göta Kanal) built during the 19th century. The participants were welcomed by Head of the Planning Department who shed a light on the detailed development plans drafted by the municipality and the procedures of their implementation. The process of the relocation of the European highway which divides this town into two parts was also a very interesting topic for discussion in this municipality. This project illustrated the advanced cooperation between the central and local level in planning.
Linköping was the third stop during the visit in Sweden, a growing city which has drafted its comprehensive development plan together with the neighbouring city Norrköping. As an introduction highlights of ongoing planning activities were given to the group. Kosovar guests had a long walk in the city, where they visited the most important developments happening in the city and those that are planned. The day in Linköping also included a visit to Tekniska Verken and their facilities such as the new Recycling Station, the District Heating Plant and the Sewage Treatment Plant. Tekniska Verken is a company operating on commercial basis owned by the Municipality of Linköping and covers the whole region. The participants had a chance to see how the energy and heating can be generated from waste. The whole process starting from the dumping site including the process of the waste treatment and generation of electrical energy was presented in detail to all participants. The afternoon was dedicated to the presentations from the municipal planning staff. Among many topics the mobility and traffic management in the city of Linköping was presented. It was also highligted how the city stimulates and intensively works on the policies and measures taken to promote non-motorised and public transport. Geographical Information System (GIS) was shown as an efficient tool which is being used in planning and also in the urban management.
The last stop on the study tour to Sweden was made in the Municipality of Botkyrka, located in the southern part of Stockholm Metropolitan area and where immigrants constitutes a big portion (about 50%) of the overall municipal population. The sustainable development in this municipality was one of the presentations made by the municipal officers, and how the municipality is working with the Aalborg Commitments were also elaborated in the presentation. The strategic planning and integration of the municipality in the metropolitan area was presented by the Head of the Planning Unit. Participation and its processes during the public discussions of the plans, public stimulation and the practices that this municipality has were shared with the Kosovar guests.
The experiences in the study tour in Sweden will be shared with other participants on the World Habitat Day on 3rd of October 2011.