historical perspectives

Northern Europe, including Sweden-Finland, Denmark-Norway, and parts of Germany, Poland, and Russia, was a volatile region during the 16th and 17th centuries and part of the 18th century with regular conflicts between the countries. The struggle for territorial power was both defensive and aggressive, leading to frequent border adjustments. During the Kalmar Union, Denmark was powerful until Sweden seceded from it in the early 16th century with the help of the powerful Hanseatic city of Lübeck. After the bloodshed of Stockholm, aggression towards Denmark increased, but Denmark continued to dominate until 1640 when, in 1650, it almost collapsed had it not been for the interference of the Netherlands which prevented Sweden from gaining power on both sides of the strait. from Öresund. As a result of its heavy debt to Lübeck, Sweden lost almost all Western export rights to the Hansa league. Denmark lost territorially and Sweden annexed Scania, Halland, Blekinge and the island of Gotland.

modern times

Since the early 18th century, a mutual understanding between Denmark and Sweden has prevailed, and in the late 1980s the governments of both countries expressed interest in a fixed connection over the Öresund Strait. The almost 16 km long bridge, including a tunnel section, was completed in 5 years in 2000. It now carries the E20 motorway and a rail system that allows some 34 million people to cross the straight annually. Some 18,000 people cross the bridge daily to work and by 2007 11,000 Swedes had found work in Denmark while 25,000 Danes settled in Sweden. As a result, labor and housing markets were boosted and a strong infrastructure was built.

The Öresund region consisting of the eastern parts of Denmark (including Copenhagen) and the southern parts of Sweden (Scania, including Malmö and Lund) has grown to become one of the most dynamic regions in Europe with 12 universities, 155,000 students and 12,000 researchers. It is said to be the most integrated transnational area in Scandinavia, where a quarter of the GNP of both countries is produced. It is particularly strong in biotech and IT and is able to attract many international corporations (and scientists) who are now based in this region. Interestingly, Malmö claims to be the “fourth most inventive city in the world” measured in terms of patents filed per 10,000 inhabitants. One of Europe’s leading binational life sciences clusters, Medicon Valley spans the entire region fostering research cooperation between companies and scientists.

ruling the region

A special Öresund committee made up of members of regional politicians and authorities from both countries coordinates the affairs of the region with the aim of creating a region where the inhabitants can freely choose where to live, work or study. Decisions are made independently in both countries due to legislative differences between the countries. For Scanian officials, the development of the collaboration on Öresund is one of the most important issues.

The future of the region

The Öresund region is described as the “Dynamic Metropolis” by the year 2020 with 6 growth platforms (Food, IT, Biotech, Logistics, Design, Environment) which by the year 2070 may have generated 500,000 new jobs and a comparable logistics. The area would offer quality of life, development, effective use of resources, sustainable urban planning and energy sufficiency. To achieve this considerable effort is proposed in many areas including education, logistics, integration of labor markets and social order. This high-growth region is likely to attract investment against rising real estate values ​​and overall growth.

What has come of all this?

• An area historically devastated by war has become a vibrant binational metropolitan area.
• This area is home to one of Europe’s leading high-tech life sciences clusters.
• The growth and improvement of the quality of life attract foreign scientists and companies that contribute to increasing the innovative image of the area.
• The inhabitants have a greater margin of choice regarding their personal life.

The Öresund region has become a licensed growth region in the European context.