Feel the Winds of Change in Malmö, Sweden

WeLL...
One year after all. And I don't post anything new so far. It was just my friend's blog ringing my head that i need to post something. At least I still got two more articles from my trip to Malmö, Sweden. Here they are...

Significant changes have taken place in Malmö during the past century. In the early 1900s the city started developed and turned out to be an important industrial center. Since the collapse of heavy industry in Malmö in the early 1990s, the city focused more and more towards knowledge and service, leaving most of the past industrial heritage. Now, instead of seeing big factories in town it is easier to find fancy corners for having fun.

Malmo’s size and strategic location make the third largest city in Sweden the commercial centre of the south of the country. With approximately 270,000 residents who speak hundreds of languages and come from hundreds of various nationalities, Malmö is a city moving to be an international metropolis. But to achieve the goal, turning the past image from industrial into new brand city was not a peace of cake. Definitely it was not as easy as creating Turning Torso-a spectacular apartment in the Western Harbor, which was built within four years since constructed in 2001. Malmö is managing strategies to fulfill its future vision and give people a chance to feel the change or be part of it.

Malmö is in transition. She is creating new images that show that Malmö doesn’t want to be simply a pop-in city from its neighbors. Whatever the image will be in the future, the city is actively creating an attractive and dynamic environment, for tourism, people and business.

Malmö in History
Malmö is a dynamic city. Its long historical record and past experience as industrial city has the city well prepared for global changes. In 1000-1300 Viking merchants and warriors lifted their anchors from this area to sail to England, Iceland and all the way to the Middle East. Three centuries later, Malmö grew to become an essential commercial heart ruled by three countries: Sweden, Denmark and the Hanseatic League, exporting barrels of local salt herring.

Malmö has been part of the Swedish region since 1658, after Denmark declared war against Sweden. To improve commercial profits and make the town flourish, the harbor was rebuilt over one hundred years. The following hundred years, Malmö turned into an important industrial city in Europe. But, the oil crisis caused severe problems for heavy industry from 1973 to 1974. The city was forced to find new ways to rock it back. Immigrants were welcomed, town was beautified for tourism and big investments in educations sector were made to help the city become a scientific city and service center. Malmö is ready to say “good-bye” to an industrial heritage.

Malmö at Present
Now in the new millennium, government effort to succeed the building of mega construction Turning Torso, Öresund Bridge that joins Malmö and Copenhagen become outstanding proof of the city awakening. The city is also developing infrastructures to make it very easy to reach by plane, train or car. Copenhagen and Malmö airports are only half an hour’s trip from the center of the city. Good access to the motorway will let people arrive at the city center as easy as if going to the rest of Sweden and Europe. Those examples are just preliminary projects for bigger ones.

There are new ambitious projects to strengthen Malmö position among other European cities. Multiarena and the shopping mall will be inaugurated in 2008. Its modern design eases visitors from Copenhagen to spend their money there as the Malmö-Copenhagen Metro station will stops just outside the doors. There will also be Hyllie- a futuristic place to live, work and be entertained, strengthening “the new” Malmö as a fun city. This location will be a kind of small village where people are not necessary to gout since what they need is available in it.

Tourism Develops
Tourism is one of the profitable sectors Malmö increase. Basically from a tourist’s point of view, this past Viking region has a lot to offer the sightseers. The location is strategic and close to Copenhagen, Denmark which is now connected by a new bridge called Öresundsbron. Seeing Malmö from period to period will be easy just by seeing its wondrous buildings. Take the oldest building, St. Petri Kyrka Church with “Brick Gothic” style for instance. It represents the glorious 14th century and stands out from behind the City Hall. To see the stylistic ideals of the renaissance period, Malmöhus Castle surrounded by moat is a suitable monument to visit. The Commandant’s House is also a proper place to see the reflection of Sweden’s neutrality during world wars. This house used to be a hospital, barracks and emergency housing during the First and the Second World War. A step ahead in the millennium era, the tallest building- Turning Torso, symbolizes Malmö’s sensitivity in anticipating global competition and modernizing the city look. To preserve the Scandinavian atmosphere, brick-ancient houses are carefully kept and renovated for apartments and shops.

In addition, Malmö also has other various places worth visiting like the squares Gustav Adolf’s Torg, Lilla Torg to hang around, Folkets Park for kids and family activities, Slottsmölllan and Slottsträdgården for sightseeing. To shop until you drop in the main shopping district around Gustav Adolf’s Torg or to have coffee-break in open cafes around public centers could gives an unforgettable experience during your stay in Malmö. Museums, playgrounds and well-designed parks are available. Even for wandering and jogging, cemeteries are no longer scary since they are decorated with artistic statues, planted with various flowers and trees and completed with benches to enjoy free-time sitting. To gain more tourists Malmö has not only completed infrastructures but also planned and held annual events for upcoming years such as exhibitions, operas and drama performance in theaters.

But in the name of tourism, do not expect Malmö to be like Paris, crowded by young people taking part in the city by performing, painting, playing music, or selling typical merchandise from the city. Do not even expect Malmö to be as liberal as cities in Netherlands that provide a red light district area for prostitution. By law, men will be sued for paying prostitutes (only if they exist).

Malmö is just Malmö. This Scandinavian city is trying to hit big impression for tourism identity, no matter at presents tourists who come there simply for popping in for hours or a day from Copenhagen.

“We have agenda and events for tourists. Despite what we offer and we have, tourists coming here only those coming from Copenhagen for one or two days or even for hours,” said Jessica, a staff member with Tourist Information.

Immigrants Come
To make other steps to be an international city, just like other European cities, Malmö also welcomes immigrants; most of them asylum-seekers. In Malmö the types of immigrants are mixed. There are foreign-born from Iraq, Poland, Bosnia, Lebanon, Iran, Hungary, Germany and yet others from Asia. Based on 2005 statistics, the number of foreign-born persons is 25 percent while foreign citizens make 10 percent of the total number of Malmö community.

“When I came here in 1992 I met only blonde people, but five years after I started meeting people with different skin color. This city is not just developing in the sense of the economy but also in number of inhabitants,” said Carmen an American-born who is now has Sweden nationality and working as a caretaker at World Maritime University Student Hostel.

Undoubtedly, the existence of immigrants gives color to Malmö. Their presence in the city contributes global nuances. It is easy to meet veiled, Middle Eastern women in the bus, talk to colored young people while sitting in the park, and see narrow-eyed Chinese teenagers shopping in malls or smell strong food from Asian restaurants. No wonder, souvenirs from Malmö are not only postcards with interesting tourism spots in the city but also Indian sari, miniatures of sphinxes from Egypt, carpets from the Middle East, or the head of a Buddha statue from China.

Business
In addition, business is also a main sector which is encouraged in Malmö. Since heavy industry has long passed away, Malmö has expanded retail and wholesale trade, logistics, construction and property sector. And now, there are many well-known companies running their businesses here within biotechnology and medical technology, IT and digital media. Furthermore, Malmö include scientist and academician to take part in that sector. To give a good result, cooperation between colleges, science parks and companies is a beginning for entrepreneurs and creative development in Malmö before starting the business.

Knowledge
Creating an image of multicultural, business and tourism city seems not enough for Malmö. Above all, that municipality is creating a new image as the city of knowledge, by improving its look and providing educational infrastructures. Previous manufacturing has been replaced by investment in sophisticated technology and training programs. Completing the effort, in 1998 Malmö University was launched accommodating 15,000 students.