Stockholm 2030 - Visions for our city

Creative people and environments make Stockholm an interesting place to establish oneself and contribute to economic prosperity. How can we make the most of these? What can we as culture practitioners do to make Stockholm more attractive to its inhabitants, visitors and entrepreneurs.

That was the theme at tonight's discussion at So Stockholm in Kungsträgården. And ready to answer these questions was a panel made up of Nils-Erik Selin, Kista Science City; Peter Johansson, Atrium Ljungberg, Projekt Ledare Sickla Köpkvarter and involved in Levandegöra Kista; Peter Eriksson, CEO City i samverkan Anders Nordstrand, CEO Micasa and Karin Lekberg, head of Subtopia. Ivan Dazza of Blatteförmedlingen was the discussion moderator.

An interesting topic and the panel was made up of people heading some very interesting and inspirational companies or projects. A lot of key words were thrown around and just as many key concepts. Questions were asked, points were made, opinions were given and there was a fair bit of audience involvement.

Unfortunately, I found myself continually wondering -
What's the point?
The event did justice to neither the topic nor the panel. Culture was not defined and agreed upon, the discussion's goals were not established, questions were not answered, the points made achieved little depth and the promised debate was nowhere to be seen. The concepts and opinions hung in the air like free-flying balloons, each heading somewhere different, all independent of each other.

Despite my disappointment it is an interesting project and the future is worth contemplating, planning and creating. Stockholm will apparently grow to 1 million people in the city area and 2 million in the greater region and the this initiative has set the following goals for Stockholm in 2030:

• Multilateral and rich in experience
• Innovative and progressive
• The people's Stockholm

While Melbourne was once described as a donut, with all life being in the suburbs and a dead city centre, Stockholm is the complete opposite. How do we create life in suburbs, how do we meet the goals as they have been defined, how do we ensure that it is a vibrant, dynamic, living city for all concerned?

You have until June 30 2090 to get involved and have your say.
What is your vision for Stockholm 2030?