News
Sharing Cities Sweden organised events, workshops, publications and activities to support a creative and lively discussion about the sharing economy in cities.
Sharing Cities Sweden
August 2017 (NEWS HEADLINE): Announcing the funding of a national program for sharing cities! Starting in August 2017 and running until December 2020, the program aims to put Sweden on the map as a country that actively and critically works with the sharing economy in cities. The program will be conducted in collaboration with business, the public sector, civil society and academia.
Sharing Cities Sweden at the Social Innovation Summit
November 2017 (PUBLIC EVENT): Sharing Cities Sweden participated in a session at the Social Innovation Summit on 13-14 November 2017 in Malmö. Sharing Cities Sweden and the Malmö Sharing City were presented and discussed with the audience.
Sharing Cities Sweden in Stockholm
January 2017 (INTERNAL EVENT): Sharing Cities Sweden organized a workshop with Vinnova on 24-25 January 2017 in Stockholm. The activities included presentations from the national node and test-beds in Umeå, Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm. Discussions focused on the design and development of test-beds, the role of ICT in the sharing economy, testing and evaluating sharing services, and how to spread learning and stimulate international collaborations.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #1 - Sharing Cities Sweden
February 2018 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Lund on 26 February 2018. The purpose of the event was to share knowledge and experiences with evaluations of the sharing economy in cities and to identify synergies and opportunities between the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden and ongoing research projects. Key research projects on the sharing economy in cities were presented and discussed in relation to the activities of the test-beds. The projects included Sharing Potential, Urban Sharing and Sharing and the City. The next evaluations workshops for 2018 are planned for Lund, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Mobile Research Lab - Sharing City Malmö
March 2018 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): A mobile research lab was organized in Malmö on 7 March 2018. The purpose of the mobile research lab was to explore sharing services and the developing sharing economy in Malmö. Mobile research labs bring together a group of researchers and investigators who conduct interviews and site visits together following a structured process. The mobile research lab in Malmö involved a clothes sharing and swapping store, the City of Malmö electric bike sharing initiatives, an organization supported by the University of Malmö to support start-ups, and a library for sharing books, space and things. There is a further mobile research lab planned for Gothenburg in 2018.
Strategic Environmental Development in Umeå
April 2018 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): Strategic environmental development is an interactive exercise involving researchers, students and practitioners working together on a real life case. An exercise was organized in Umeå on 11-18 April 2018. The purpose of the exercise was to explore sharing services and the developing sharing economy in Umeå. Strategic Environmental Development bring together a group of researchers and students who conduct interviews and site visits. The exercise in Umeå involved a range of organizations working with developing the sharing economy in Umeå. There is a further exercise planned for Stockholm in 2019.
Sharing City Malmö in Amsterdam for Study Trip
April 2018 (STUDY TRIP): Over 30 people from developers and partners in Sharing City Malmö visited Amsterdam for a study tour on sharing cities on 18 April 2018. The exercise was organized in collaboration with the Sharing Cities Alliance to provide input and inspiration to the developers in Malmö working on Sege Park. The ambitions for the Sege Park development project are to establish a world-leading example for sharing cities.
Launch Event for Sharing Cities Sweden
April 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): Sharing Cities Sweden organized a launch event on 23 April 2018 as part of Sustainability Week at Lund University. The event gathered the test-beds, national node and partners to present the early stages and ambitions for Sharing Cities Sweden.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #2 - Sharing Cities Sweden
April 2018 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Lund on 24 April 2018. The purpose of the event was to share knowledge and experiences with impacts of the sharing economy in cities and to continue to identify synergies and opportunities between the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden. The Sharing Cities Alliance hosted the workshop and presented insights from cities around the world. The next evaluations workshops for 2018 are planned for Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Study Tour #1 - Malmö @ Sege Park
April 2018 (STUDY TRIP): Sharing City Malmö organised a study tour in Sege Park on 24 April 2018. The purpose of the study tour was to learn about how the principles of the sharing economy are being integrated into the design and development of buildings and infrastructure in Sege Park. The ambitions for the project are to establish a world-leading example for sharing cities.
Sharing City Umeå and Social Innovation
April 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): The Social Innovation in the North conference on 25 April 2018 features a session organized by Sharing City Umeå. The session is focused on the role of the sharing economy in sustainable cities and how to promote innovative solutions.
Test-beds for the Smart Societies of Tomorrow
May 2018 (NEWS HEADLINE): Sweden is a country in constant change and development. The launch of Swedish Testbeds on 31 May 2018 is an opportunity to showcase test-beds dedicated to the development of smart cities. Sharing Cities Sweden is developing world-leading test-beds for the sharing economy in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå. Swedish Testbeds defines test-beds as a physical or virtual environment in which companies, academia and other organisations can collaborate in the development, testing and introduction of new products, services, processes or organisational solutions in selected areas.
Study Tour #2 - Gothenburg
June 2018 (STUDY TRIP): Sharing City Malmö organised a study tour in Gothenburg on 19 June 2018. The purpose of the study tour was to learn about the sharing economy activities in Gothenburg with visits to “Leksaksbiblioteket” – a toy library – and “Klädoteket” – a sustainable fashion shop. In addition, a presentation was organised on “Smarta kartan” – s smart map aims to help people of Gothenburg and visitors to the city to engage in the sharing economy.
Sharing Cities Sweden at Volvo Ocean Race
June 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): Sharing Cities Gothenburg organized a public seminar on 20 June 2018 on the sharing economy as part of the Volvo Ocean Race in Gothenburg. The event gathered together the test-beds, national node and partners to present the activities and early findings from the test-beds and overall program.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #3 - Sharing Cities Sweden
June 2018 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Gothenburg on 20 June 2018. The purpose of the event was to share knowledge and experiences of the sharing economy in cities and to continue to identify synergies and opportunities between the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden. The Sharing Cities Alliance hosted the workshop and presented insights from cities around the world focusing on visions and strategies as well as assessing and measuring impact.
Sharing City Stockholm - Report on Sharing Services and Environmental Impacts
June 2018 (KEY PUBLICATION): The study released on the 27 June 2018 aims to review the environmental performance, and potential, of different sharing services available in Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm. These include: 1) the sharing platform provided by Hygglo.se, 2) the package drop-off and pick-up services offered by QLocx and 3) the sharing of cargo bikes. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to identify the impacts and benefits of the sharing services, taking into account both current and future consumption patterns, product lifetime and use, potential replacements of conventional products and services, and impacts from digital infrastructure. Furthermore, the study outlines an approach to identify methodological considerations for assessing these systems using LCA and addressing the sensitivity of these choices.
Sharing Cities Sweden in Germany
June 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): Yuliya Voytenko presented Sharing Cities Sweden at the International Workshop on the Sharing Economy on 28 June 2018 in Mannheim, Germany. The presentation highlighted the role of local governments in the sharing economy and covered several projects including Urban Sharing, Sharing and the City, and Sharing Cities Sweden.
Sharing City Gothenburg - Hackathon on Sharing is Caring
September 2018 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): On 2 September 2018, Civic Tech Sweden arranged a hackathon with the theme "Sharing is caring: Collaborative Economy, Common Resources, and Sustainable Consumption". Civic Tech Sweden is a collaboration between organizations, networks and public actors who work with digital technology for community benefit. During the event, participants interact with people of knowledge in programming, communication, technology, open data, and design, but also people with experience in working with democracy and the sharing economy. Sharing City Gothenburg participated and presented at the event.
Sharing City Umeå - Urban Mobility and Sharing Cities
September 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 17-19 September 2018, Sharing Cities Sweden participated in the CIVITAS forum organized in Umeå on urban mobility. The event gathered the CIVITAS community from across Europe and beyond bringing together policymakers, city representatives, academics, and practitioners to debate pressing topics surrounding urban mobility, including the impact of the sharing economy.
Mobile Research Lab - Sharing City Gothenburg
October 2018 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): A mobile research lab was organized in Gothenburg on 16 October 2018. The purpose of the mobile research lab was to explore sharing services and the developing sharing economy in Gothenburg. Mobile research labs bring together a group of researchers and investigators who conduct interviews and site visits together following a structured process. The mobile research lab in Gothenburg involved meetings with coordinators and organisers of bicycle kitchens, the Circular Gothenburg Program, and GrowGothenburg as well as a walking tour of the development area called Södra Älvstranden and discussions with local politicians. There are further mobile research labs planned for 2019.
Sharing City Umeå - Finalist in European Capital of Innovation
October 2018 (NEWS HEADLINE): The City of Umeå is one of six finalists in the European Capital of Innovation. On 6 November 2018, the capital is announced. Umeå is constantly working with the development of an effective and inclusive support system for innovation with world class academic and business incubators. Sharing Cities Sweden is contributing to the innovation system in Umeå.
Sharing Cities Sweden in Barcelona
October 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On the 12-15 November 2018, the Sharing Cities Summit and Smart City Expo World Congress takes place in Barcelona. Sharing Cities Sweden is participating in both the summit and congress, including as part of the Nordic Pavilion. Vibrant discussions and new collaborations are on the agenda
Sharing Cities Sweden at Nordic Smart Cities
October 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 23 October 2018, Kes McCormick (program coordinator) presented Sharing Cities Sweden at the Nordic Smart Cities Conference in Malmö, Sweden. The event focused on smart and sustainable city development processes. The presentation highlighted the ambitions, purpose and emerging findings about the sharing economy in cities.
Viable Cities Program Conference
November 2018 (INTERNAL EVENT): On 5 November 2018, Sharing Cities Sweden participated in the Viable Cities Program Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Viable Cities is a Swedish strategic innovation program for smart and sustainable cities. The event focused on projects within Viable Cities.
Sharing City Umeå - Innovation Bootcamp
November 2018 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): On the 9-11 November, an innovation bootcamp was organized in Umeå, which is an entrepreneurial workshop exploring what it means to design and operate a business. The event was an opportunity to exploring the sharing economy cities and resulted in the concept of SMS or Sharing Made Simple.
Sharing Cities Summit and Smart Cities Expo World Congress
November 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 12-15 November 2018, Sharing Cities Sweden (including the national node and all the test-beds) attended both the Sharing Cities Summit and Smart Cities Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The summit brings together representatives from local government with a mix of people from academia and business. The congress is the leading event for smart cities with over 20,000 people in attendance.
National Workshop for Sustainable Lifestyles
November 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 15 November 2018, Sharing Cities Sweden organised two workshops in the annual conference called National Workshop for Sustainable Lifestyles coordinated by the Swedish Consumer Agency. The event was arranged in Karlstad, Sweden and it was specifically planned to let participants test new methods and tools for behavioral change in relation to sustainable lifestyles.
Workshop on Sharing as a New Logic of Innovation
November 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 20 November 2018, Kes McCormick (program coordinator) presented Sharing Cities Sweden at the Sharing as a New Logic of Innovation Workshop in Helsingborg, Sweden. The event focused on how the sharing economy builds on a shift from ownership to a mutual sharing of resources between service-providers and service-users. The presentation highlighted the ambitions, purpose and emerging findings about the sharing economy in cities.
Sharing Cities Sweden at Transforming for Sustainability
November 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 28 November 2018, Kes McCormick (program coordinator) presented Sharing Cities Sweden at the Transforming for Sustainability Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The keynote presentation focused on the topic of urban experimentation and the role of sharing cities in the sustainable development goals.
Sharing Cities Sweden at Smart Cities Conference
November 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 28 November 2018, Philip Näslund (Umeå test-bed coordinator) presented Sharing Cities Sweden and activities in Umeå on the sharing economy at the Smart Cities Conference in Stockholm, Sweden. The event attracted participants from across Sweden working with smart and sustainable cities.
Sharing Cities Sweden in Denmark
December 2018 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 29-30 November 2018, Jan Markendahl (ICT program manager for Sharing Cities Sweden) attended and presented at the CMI Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. The paper presented at the event analysed sharing services and digital platforms in Sweden focusing on Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå. The paper identified recurrent patterns but also similarities and differences between different types of sharing services.
Viable Cities Outlook Day
December 2018 (INTERNAL EVENT): On 4 December 2018, Sharing Cities Sweden participated in the Viable Cities Outlook Day in Stockholm, Sweden. Viable Cities is a Swedish strategic innovation program for smart and sustainable cities. The event focused on the strategic projects within Viable Cities including aims, expected impacts and synergies. The national node and test-beds all presented at the event and engaged in the interactive exercises.
Sharing Cities Alliance Magazine
December 2018 (NEWS HEADLINE): In December 2018 in the online magazine for the Sharing Cities Alliance there is an interview article with Simo Sulkakoski from Lund University on the role of municipalities in developing and shaping the sharing economy. The article is based on research by Simo Sulkakoski for Sharing Cities Sweden into cities in Sweden focusing on Malmö and Göteborg.
Study Tour #3 - Stockholm @ Hammarby Sjöstad
December 2018 (STUDY TRIP): Sharing City Stockholm organised a study tour in Hammarby Sjöstad on 5 December 2018. The purpose of the study tour was to learn about the sharing economy activities in Hammarby Sjöstad and the work and ambitions of EletriCITY as a key organization in the area.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #4 - Sharing Cities Sweden
December 2018 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Stockholm on 5 December 2018. The purpose of the event was to share knowledge and experiences with evaluations of the sharing economy in cities and to identify synergies and opportunities between the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden and ongoing research projects. Key research projects on the sharing economy in cities were presented by Karin Bradley and Liv Fjellander and discussed in relation to the activities of the test-beds. The projects included MISTRA Sustainable Consumption and Sharify.
Sharing City Stockholm - Academic Articles
January 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION): In January 2019, researchers in Stockholm published two articles on the sharing economy and cities. The first on assessing the environmental potential of sharing services, which indicates that there is significant potential for sharing services to reduce environmental impacts associated with production and consumption through avoiding production and reducing the production impacts of new product purchases. The second on connecting idle capacity with users focusing on business and digital platform aspects fort sharing services. The findings and research contributions are: a more clear definition of sharing services using the model with closed/open sets of both users and resources (providers); identification of key values of a sharing service platform (as compared to values of a product or a rental service); and a list of key features to implement in sharing service platforms.
Analysing Sharing Economy Services in Sweden
January 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION): In January 2019, researchers and practitioners in Sharing Cities Sweden published a joint article on sharing economy services in Sweden. The aim of the article is to identify recurrent patterns but also similarities and differences between different types of sharing services, including car pools, bike pools, sharing of tools and equipment, sharing of land for urban farming, sharing of parking and homes, and co-working spaces.
Smarta Kartan in Malmö
January 2019 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): Collaboration between the Göteborg test-bed and Malmö test-bed on Smarta Kartan is underway. Smarta Kartan in Göteborg aims to promote access rather than ownership to people and visitors to the city. It highlights current and up-coming activities and networks throughout the city on the sharing economy. The City of Malmö is launching a Smarta Kartan for Malmö, and the process begins on 28 January 2018 to map sharing economy initiatives in the city.
Governing Sharing Cities
February 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION): A new report on governing the sharing economy in cities has been published by Sharing Cities Sweden in January 2019. The report investigates both Malmö and Gothenburg, and presents a framework for understanding the role of municipalities in governing sharing cities. The report has been based on extensive case study research and interviews.
Sharing City Malmö - Award Nomination
February 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Sege Park in Malmö has been nominated to the Plan Award 2018. The prize is awarded in March 2019. Sege Park is a development area that is a platform for urban innovation and a meeting point for creating sustainable cities and the developing the sharing economy.
National Working Group on Service and Mobility Hubs
February 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): In February 2019, a report that compiles examples and knowledge on service and mobility hubs has been published. The report provides a valuable basis for discussion, learning and improved understanding of the possibilities and challenges for designing and developing service and mobility hubs in Sweden. A national working group has been established to further collaborations on the topic.
Cooperative Cities Conference
March 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 7-8 March 2019, a conference on the theme "the city as a jointly owned sharing platform" was organized in Umeå. The purpose was to "explore cooperative digital platforms with a focus on sustainability in all dimensions". Among the speakers at the Cooperative Cities Conference were representatives of Swedish cities and organisations as well as various types of cooperative platforms. Through the conference a new meeting place was created to share knowledge of digital infrastructure that is crucial for promoting sustainable lifestyles.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #5 - Sharing Cities Sweden
March 2019 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Umeå on 7 March 2019. The purpose of the event was to identify synergies and opportunities between the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden and strategic projects on sharing business models, sharing behaviour, sharing digital platforms, sharing towns and sharing communities.
Study Tour #4 - Umeå
March 2019 (STUDY TRIP): Sharing City Gothenburg organised a study tour in Umeå on 6 March 2019. The purpose of the study tour was to learn about the sharing economy activities in Umeå with a visit to FabLab Umeå – an open workshop with a range of digital manufacturing and prototyping tools.
Interview with Program Coordinator
March 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): The program coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden, Kes McCormick, was interviewed for the Nordic Report. He talked about the place and role of the Nordic countries in greening the economy and the advancing sharing economy. The interview was published in March 2019.
Sharing City Göteborg - Launching Smarta Kartan 2.0
March 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): The sharing economy is here to stay and more and more people are discovering the benefits of renting, sharing, exchanging, borrowing and giving. In connection with the release of an updated version of Smarta Kartan, all residents of Gothenburg are invited to a launch event on 4 April 2019 in order to test the new Smarta Kartan 2.0 together.
Sharing Cities Sweden - Synthesis Report
April 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION): In April 2019, Sharing Cities Sweden published a synthesis report entitled Sharing Cities: Exploring the Emerging Landscape of the Sharing Economy in Cities. It captures the lessons learned and ambitious goals of the test-beds in Stockholm, Malmö, Umeå and Göteborg. The document contains articles on the journeys of the test-beds, a discussion of designing test-beds as urban living labs, insights into governing sharing cities, and an overview of strategic thinking on sharing cities.
Sharing Cities Seminar on Business and Behaviour
April 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 8 april 2019, Sharing Cities Sweden organized a seminar as part of Sustainability Week at Lund University on the sharing economy in cities focusing on learning about business models and behavioural economics. Over 80 people attended the event from academia, municipalities and business.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #6 - Sharing Cities Sweden
April 2019 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Lund on 8 April 2019. The purpose of the event was to explore business models and the sharing economy in cities. Current and possible future business models were mapped through the ecology of business models framework. Synergies between test-beds and data availability were discussed.
Study Tour #5 - Malmö @ Sege Park
April 2019 (STUDY TOUR): Sharing City Malmö organised a study tour in Sege Park on 9 April 2019. The purpose of the study tour was to see how the principles of the sharing economy are being integrated into the design and development of buildings and infrastructure in Sege Park. The visit was focused on building 14 as a sharing hub for Sege Park.
French–Swedish Conference on Smart and Sustainable Cities
April 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 9 April 2019, Charlie Gullström (Stockholm test-bed coordinator) presented Sharing Cities Sweden at a conference on smart and sustainable cities for increased French-Swedish collaboration. The theme of smart cities was selected as a key pillar of the French-Swedish Partnership for Innovation and Green Solutions. The activities and ambitions of test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden was presented.
Sharing City Umeå - Award Nomination
April 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Cykelstället in Umeå has been nominated to an award as “Samhällsbyggare”. The prize is awarded in May 2019. Cykelstället is a place where there is a bicycle garage, bicycle parking under cover and a service station to wash bikes and carry out simple repairs. As well as a play area for children.
Sharing City Malmö - Exhibition on Sharing Economy
April 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) is an exhibition on the sharing economy inside the framework of Sharing Cities Sweden running from March-May 2019 in Malmö at the Form Design Centre. Through illustrations, animations and objects, the exhibition explores how the sharing economy aims to use resources more smartly and more efficiently.
Podcast on Scooters, Sharing and Sustainability
May 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): In this podcast, launched in May 2019, there is a discussion on the sharing economy from a broad perspective, before elaborating on business models in the sharing economy, as well as discussing the possibilities and problems that come with sharing schemes. Nancy Bocken (who leads a strategic project for Sharing Cities Sweden on business models) is interviewed as well as representatives from the cities of Malmö, Gothenburg and Stockholm, who share some insights about sharing cities. Check out this podcast!
Collaboration with American Students
May 2019 (INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY): For three weeks in May 2019 a group of engineering students from the University of Virginia collaborated with Lund University. The purpose of the collaboration was to work with Malmö Stad and Godsinlösen on improving their sharing solutions. The work focused on Smarta Kartan in Malmö Stad and the future car pool in Sege Park.
Presentations at Australian Universities
June 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): Kes McCormick, the program coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden, has presented the national program at two Australian Universities in June 2019 – the Centre for Urban Transitions at Swinburne University of Technology and the Monash Sustainable Development Institute at Monash University. The presentations focused on the ambitions of Sharing Cities Sweden, the emerging findings on the sharing economy in cities, and the relationship between sharing cities and the sustainable development goals.
Global Sharing Week
June 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): To celebrate the Global Sharing Week that runs from 16-22 June 2019, Sharing Cities Sweden is highlighting a selection of key outputs and up-coming events, including the recent completion of the report on Sharing Towns focusing on the relationship between the sharing economy and small towns; the mobile research lab in Gothenburg that explores a range of sharing services; and the Sharing Cities Summit on 10-11 October 2019 in Malmö and Lund.
International Workshop on the Sharing Economy
July 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): Sharing Cities Sweden is participating in the International Workshop on the Sharing Economy on 28-29 June 2019 through presentations and participation by Tove Lund, Charlie Gullström and Yuliya Voytenko. The event is a meeting place for researchers and practitioners working with the sharing economy in Europe and around the world.
Sharing City Umeå - Sharing Pavilion
July 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): The sharing pavilion is under construction at the university area in Umeå! It will be an arena for sharing activities, work space and knowledge sharing. It will be an example of how new urban infrastructure can open up possibilities for new sharing interactions between people and can also experiment with a new local economy.
Building up to the Sharing Cities Summit
August 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Kes McCormick was interviewed by Neal Gorenflo at Shareable about the fast-approaching Sharing Cities Summit. Shareable is an award-winning non-profit news, action and connection hub for the sharing transformation. The interview covered both the background and ambitions of Sharing Cities Sweden and the planning for the Sharing Cities Summit with a focus on connecting the sustainable development goals with sharing cities. The main message was “sharing cities must engage with the sustainable development goals to become a driving force for positive and sustainable change that is connected with a global agenda.”
Sharing Cities Sweden in Canada
August 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Kes McCormick (program coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden) is spending an extended time as a visiting fellow at the University of Waterloo. He is collaborating with colleagues in Canada on the role of small and medium enterprises in sustainable transformations including the sharing economy. He presented the ambitions and emerging impacts of Sharing Cities Sweden at the Department of Environment and Planning.
Sharing City Göteborg - opportunities and challenges
August 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 3 October 2019, a roundtable on the sharing economy is being organized in Göteborg. Are you researching the sharing economy or interested in the phenomenon of sharing cities? Sign up for the roundtable and meet researchers and experts working on the issue and start a conversation about how research in Göteborg can contribute to the sharing economy.
Study Tour #6 - Gothenburg
September 2019 (STUDY TRIP): Sharing City Göteborg organised a study tour on 27 August 2019. The purpose of the study tour was to see and learn about the “outdoor office” in Johanneberg and the new innovation arena called “A Working Lab” as well as visit “Brf Viva” – the result of research on how we can build and live in more sustainable ways. As a resident at “Brf Viva” there are all the ingredients (including sharing) to live in comfortable, green and sustainable environments.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #7 - Sharing Cities Sweden
September 2019 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Gothenburg on 28 August 2019. The purpose of the event was to revisit the evaluations planning at the start of the Sharing Cities Sweden, discuss progress on evaluations and lessons learned so far as well as present and discuss the development of evaluations summaries to draw out key findings from evaluations.
Global Karlstad
September 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Think globally and act locally! Through the annual event called Global Karlstad, the City of Karlstad together with SIDA wants to inspire people to try to live in a more climate-smart and sustainable way with a key theme on the sharing economy. Karlstad is one of six municipalities in Sweden designated a global municipality by SIDA and also the coordinator for the Sharing Towns strategic project in Sharing Cities Sweden.
Governing Sharing Cities in Films
September 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Want to learn more about how cities approach governing the sharing economy? Senior Lecturer Yuliya Voytenko Palgan shares the latest research in a new video series about governing the sharing economy. Check out the latest video and stay tuned for more information about a forthcoming Massive Open Online Course on Sharing Cities developed by Sharing Cities Sweden.
Presentations to Lund University Alumni Network
September 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): Oscar Pelin and Kes McCormick presented Sharing Cities Sweden and the developments in Sege Park at an after work event for the Lund University Alumni Network on 12 September 2019. Over 100 people from the alumni network for Lund University attended the event and a lively discussion followed about the role of the sharing cities in creatively contributing to sustainable development.
Sharing Cities Summit
October 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 10-11 October 2019, Sharing Cities Sweden organized a Sharing Cities Summit in Lund and Malmö with an exhibition on exploring the role of sharing cities in advancing the sustainable development goals. Over 175 participants registered and attended the event.
Sharing City Malmö – Delegation from Korea visits Sege Park
October 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 18 October 2019, a delegation of 30 people from South Korea visited Sege Park in Malmö. The delegation included people from the national finance department, regions, provinces and cities in Korea. The delegation learned about Sege Park, the overall program of Sharing Cities Sweden and the test-beds in Stockholm, Malmö, Göteborg and Umeå.
Accelerating Sustainability Entrepreneurship
October 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): The TRANSFORM project integrates innovative academic research with entrepreneurial experimentation and extensive collaboration among the academic, private and public sectors with the development of hubs in Canada, USA, Sweden, Germany and Australia. Kes McCormick (program coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden) attended the recent annual general meeting for the TRANSFORM project in Toronto, Canada on 23-25 October 2019. Sharing Cities Sweden is connecting with the TRANSFORM project to explore the sharing economy in cities in an international perspective.
Interview with Sharing City Umeå
On 15 October 2019 Ewa Wascher, researcher at the TU Dortmund University visited Umeå and interviewed Philip Näslund. Ewa is working in SISCODE, a EU funded research project on Co-Design for society in innovation. The project looks at about 70 co-creation processes all over Europe that use design methodologies with a multi-stakeholder approach to create novelties in tackling challenges of different kinds. Philip provided inputs on the co-creation activities in Umeå and Sharing Cities Sweden.
Sharing City Umeå – Business Models
October 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): Coompanion Nord under the lead of Rehman Ahmin and Jan Markendahl from KTH and ICT coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden arranged a meet-up in Umeå on 17 October 2019. The topic focused on sharing business models with examples from entrepreneurs like Umeå Wheels and the platform UMIGO.
Online Seminar with Sharing Cities Alliance
November 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 5 November 2019, Kes McCormick (program coordinator) presented and reflected on the Sharing Cities Summit in an online seminar organized by the Sharing Cities Alliance. The Sharing Cities Summit attracted some 200 participants from around the world to gather in Lund and Malmö to explore the role of sharing cities in advancing the sustainable development goals.
Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona
November 2019 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 19-21 November 2019, Sharing Cities Sweden attended and presented at the Smart City Expo World Congress and related activities on the sharing economy in cities, including the Sharing Cities Action Stand Lab. Tove Lund (Göteborg test-bed), Philip Näslund (Umeå test-bed), Charlie Gullström (Stockholm test-bed) and Kes McCormick (program coordinator) presented on the collaborations between Sharing Cities Sweden and Viable Cities.
Reducing Environmental Impacts through the Sharing Economy
December 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION): Liv Fjellander, the coordinator for the Sharing Communities strategic project, recently published a report by IVL on how sharing underutilized resources can be an important puzzle piece in the transition to sustainable consumption. The report explores the potential for increased sharing of premises, transport and tools that can mean increased resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #8 - Sharing Cities Sweden
December 2019 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised in Stockholm on 3-4 December 2019 in combination with the Viable Cities Transition Lab. The test-beds and national node in Sharing Cities Sweden attended the Transition Lab organised by Viable Cities to explore and exploit synergies between Sharing Cities Sweden and the Climate Neutral Cities initiative launched by Viable Cities. The workshop involved evaluating activities planned in the Climate Neutral Cities initiative and exploring linkages to the test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden.
Smarta Kartan launches in Karlstad
December 2019 (NEWS HEADLINE): Smarta Kartan is a platform and map that makes it easier for Karlstad residents and visitors to discover and take part in sharing initiatives. Launched in December 2019, the map lists and shows businesses in Karlstad where residents and visitors can rent, exchange, borrow, give and receive, and shop second-hand. Smarta Kartan originates from Gothenburg in a partnership between the City of Gothenburg and the Association for Collaborative Economy Gothenburg. Smarta Kartan is an initiative that can help shift consumption patterns.
Governing the Sharing Economy in Cities
November 2019 (KEY PUBLICATION):The strategic project on Sharing Business Models recently developed and published an article in November 2019 that explores the potential roles of cities in governing the sharing economy. Four cities serve as case studies: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå. Three dominant modes of governing were identified and discussed: governing by provision and authority; governing by partnership and enabling; and governing through volunteering.
New Report on Sharing Premises
January 2020 (KEY PUBLICATION): Charlie Gullström (coordinator for Sharing City Stockholm) as a representative of Sharing Cities Sweden has worked in an IVA working group that has released an IVA report in January 2020 on the sharing economy and premises. The report is entitled “Resource Efficient Premises in Sweden - Local Sharing as the Norm.” The purpose of the IVA project is to coincide with the UN global goals for sustainable development and contribute to improving the competitiveness of Sweden in a future with limited resources.
Meet the Locals in the New York Times
January 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In February 2020, an initiative in Gothenburg called Meet the Locals is featured in the New York Times as a place to visit in 2020. Through this initiative, meeting a local is both simple and fun. An exciting way to get close to the daily life in Sweden.
Research Seminar on Sharing and Circular Economy
January 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 5 February 2020, Sharing City Gothenburg will host a research seminar. In this event, researchers from the University of Luxembourg, will present unpublished results of research on the circular economy. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg will present on investigations into the role and motives for the City of Gothenburg to support the development of services, companies, initiatives and norms in the area of the sharing economy.
Research Evaluations on Fritidsbanken
January 2020 (KEY PUBLICATION): Fritidsbanken lends leisure equipment in 95 locations in Sweden. Now the research institute RISE has evaluated the operation. The evaluation released in February 2020 shows that Fritidsbanken allows more people to participate in sports and other activities and contributes to improved public health. More than 50% of those who have borrowed equipment say that they are moving more thanks to Fritidsbanken and they are interested in sharing more.
Sharing City Umeå – Umeå Wheels
February 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): When an international student noticed the numerous abandoned bicycles on the streets of Umeå, it provided the inspiration for the creation of Umeå Wheels founded by a group of students. It is a start-up company that collects, repairs, and offers the bikes for sale or rent. The story of Umeå Wheels is presented the February 2020 news by Shareable. So far the initiative was able to rescue over 900 bikes since 2018.
Sharing City Umeå - In the news!
February 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In February 2020, SVT interviewed Philip Näslund (coordinator for Sharing City Umeå) about Sharing Cities Sweden and how the activities on the sharing economy in Umeå are helping people to share more and consume less. Watch Philip here. In addition, Philip Näslund is featured in a podcast by Klimatekot talking about the future of sharing cities. Listen to Philip here.
Business Models for Car Sharing
February 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): The strategic project on Sharing Business Models recently developed and published an article in February 2020 that explores the emergence of car sharing business models and sustainability impacts. Four cities serve as case studies: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Umeå. The contributions are threefold: providing an empirical study on the theoretical ecologies of business models concept; understanding how car sharing co-evolved in cities in Sweden and in relation to wider sustainability and mobility trends; and giving novel insight into the role of local governments.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #9 (online) - Sharing Business Models
February 2020 (EVALUATIONS WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised online on 5 February 2020. The focus of the online discussions was on the findings of the Sharing Business Models strategic project. Nancy Bocken presented the ambitions and approach of the strategic project as well as the key outputs and findings. Two articles are published from the strategic project on modes of governing urban sharing practices and carsharing business models.
Sharing City Malmö on Swedish Radio
March 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In connection to the Shareful exhibition in Malmö, Juliet Leonette (coordinator for Sharing City Malmö) was interviewed on Swedish Radio on the 21 February 2020. The discussion was about how the sharing economy and sustainable development are in focus in Sege Park where over 1000 residences are being developed.
Minister for Civil and Consumer Affairs visits Gothenburg for talks on Sharing Economy
March 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 3 March 2020, the Minister for Civil and Consumer Affairs, Lena Micko is meeting representatives from civil society who are engaged in the sharing economy and staff from the City of Gothenburg. The theme of the visit is the sharing economy as a tool for sustainable consumption. Lena Micko is also visiting Fixoteket – a local meeting place where visitors are able to cook, borrow and exchange.
Sharing City Stockholm – Digital Twins and the Sharing Economy
March 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Digital twins are copies in computer environments of real objects. It can include machines, our human bodies, cities, buildings and even the entire planet. Digital twins can change how different parts of our reality are tied together and illustrated. Charlie Gullström (coordinator for Sharing City Stockholm) is interviewed in Computer Sweden about digital twins as an approach for the neighborhood portal in Sharing City Stockholm.
Sharing City Malmö - ”Första spadtaget” for Sege Park
March 2020 (PUBLIC EVENT): On 10 March 2020, the first symbolic shovel in Sege Park takes place. In conjunction with “Första spadtaget”, Shareful – an exhibition that presents the challenges and possibilities for sustainable housing solutions and the sharing economy – is on display.
Environmental Assessment of the Toy Library
March 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): The sharing economy is perceived as having positive effects on the environment in terms of resource and emission reductions through decreased consumption. The goal of a recent study by RISE in March 2020 is to identify and evaluate the potential of the Toy Library in Gothenburg to reduce environmental impacts. The study shows that the Toy Library is playing an important societal role and through its sharing activities contributing to several environmental and social benefits.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #10 (online) - Sharing Digital Platforms
April 2020 (EVALUATION WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised online on 2 April 2020. The focus of the online discussions was on the findings of the Sharing Digital Platforms strategic project, which involves the development of Umigo – finding solutions together. Per Levén and Oskar Ahlman presented the ambitions and approach of the strategic project as well as the key outputs and findings.
Sharing City Umeå - Lessons from U-bike
April 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): A key environmental goal in Umeå is that by 2025, at least 65 per cent of all journeys within the Umeå urban area are to take place with sustainable modes of travel. U-bike is a good example of efforts to reach that goal. A recent evaluation of U-bike published in April 2020 provides lessons into the design and implementation of the initiative.
Mobile Research Labs – Final Reports
April 2020 (KEY PUBLICATION): Mobile research labs bring together a group of researchers and investigators who conduct interviews and site visits together following a structured process. Sharing Cities Sweden conducted mobile research labs on the sharing economy in both Malmö and Gothenburg. The final reports summarise the key findings.
Sharing Economy and Circularity – new reports
April 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Charlie Gullström (coordinator for Sharing City Stockholm) has participated in the IVA project on Resource Efficiency and the Circular Economy, which has worked intensively since the beginning of 2018 to develop action plans for increased resource efficiency and circularity. The new reports are summarized and presented here.
Sharing Cities – A Massive Open online Course
April 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Launching in May 2020, check out the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) by Sharing Cities Sweden. The MOOC is available for free and contains a collection of diverse short films and key short readings on sharing cities as well as interactive forums and a practical assignment to create an online learning community. Sign up!
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #11 (online) - Sharing Cities Sweden
April 2020 (EVALUATION WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised online on 23 April 2020. The focus of the online discussions was on current and future activities and plans for test-beds and the national node. A key item on the agenda was how to further share documentation of learning from the overall program. The launch of the Sharing Cities – Massive Open Online Course, Shareful exhibition, final events and series of documentation (including snapshots, briefs and reports) are all part of the strategy to spread and disseminate findings.
Evaluations and Learning Workshop #12 (online) - Sharing Communities
May 2020 (EVALUATION WORKSHOP): An evaluations and learning workshop for Sharing Cities Sweden was organised online on 6 May 2020. The focus of the online discussions was on the activities of the Sharing Communities strategic project. Liv Fjellander presented the ambitions and approach of the strategic project as well as the emerging findings.
New spin-off projects from Sharing Cities Sweden
May 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Of 270 applications to a recent Vinnova funding call, 18 received funding and 2 are new spin-off projects from Sharing Cities Sweden. The first on the sharing economy and food systems called “NeighbourFood - Delningsekonomi för en resilient matkedja. En delningsplattform för grannar, av grannar!”. The second on digital sharing platforms in a time of crisis called ”Digitala delningsplattformar som verktyg för omställning i krisens spår”. See the Vinnova website for further information on the funding call.
Global Sharing Week – Launching Smart Map 3.0
June 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 2 June 2020, learn about the Smart Map 3.0 as part of Global Sharing Week! It is a guide that collects initiatives where you can rent, borrow, lend, share, give and get in Gothenburg, Sweden. Here you can find bike kitchens, fruit orchards, the toy library, the leisure equipment banks and more. You can also follow the Smart Map on social media and expand your interest in the sharing culture!
Sharing Futures Webinar – Sharing Regions
June 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 26 May 2020, Per Ander from Dela Mera presented at a webinar for Sharing Cities Sweden about an initiative called Sharing Regions. The presentation and discussion focused on the relationship between regional development and the sharing economy as well as future opportunities.
Sharing Futures Webinar – Sharing Towns
June 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 10 June 2020, Henric Barkman from the City of Karlstad, Lovisa Lingfors from WSP, and Anna-Maria Lundholm from Konsumentverket presented at a webinar for Sharing Cities Sweden. The presentation and discussion focused on the future developments for the sharing economy in small cities and towns.
Sharing Behaviour – Project Report on Collaborative Fashion
June 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In May 2020, the Sharing Behaviour strategic project published a report on collaborative fashion consumption in Sweden and Spain looking at market, environmental and behavioural insights. The strategic project is developing behavioural economics experiments focusing on the sharing economy in cities
Sharing Business Models – Final Report
June 2020 (KEY PUBLICATION): Check out the final report of the Sharing Business Models strategic project. Published in June 2020, the final report presents the outcomes of the strategic project based on an international investigation of novel business models for the sharing economy in cities.
Five Ways to Shape the Sharing Economy in Cities
June 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In June 2020, Kes McCormick, Yuliya Voytenko Palgan and Charlotte Leire at Lund University in Sweden, presented the ambitions and design of a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in an article on five ways to shape the sharing economy in cities. Read more
Fritidsbanken Umeå lends out 100,000 articles
August 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Since starting in 2018, Fritidsbanken Umeå has loaned out 100,000 articles and there is growing demand! In August 2020, P4 Västerbotten highlighted this achievement on radio. This initiative is connected with the sharing activities supported and stimulated through the Umeå test-bed.
New research on sharing cities in Umeå
August 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In July 2020, two thesis research reports were published at Umeå University on sharing cities. First – The Smart Map as a possible solution? A qualitative study on promoting sharing economy. Second - Shared custody of corporate resources: Obstacles and driving forces for sharing economy between established companies. The two thesis research reports provide valuable insights into the how to stimulate and design the sharing economy.
New bicycle sharing service with recycled bicycles
August 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Recykla - a bicycle rental service for recycled bicycles opened at Cykelstället this summer in Umeå. Created through Sharing City Umeå in collaboration with Umeå Wheels, the rental of 25 recycled bicycles between 24 June and 16 August 2020 was available. The need for bicycle rental in Umeå grows during the summer period from both residents and visitors, and this year the opportunity to use a recycled bicycle at Cykelstället was offered.
Webinar with Viable Cities and Sharing Cities Sweden
August 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 28 August 2020, Sharing Cities Sweden in collaboration with Viable Cities organised a webinar on sharing cities and climate neutral cities. The test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden in Göteborg, Umeå, Stockholm and Malmö, as well as the strategic project in Karlstad, all presented lessons so far and insights for work on designing and developing climate neutral cities in Sweden. The webinar streamed live and the recording is available on the Viable Cities youtube channel.
Collaborative event on sustainable and attractive cities
September 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 2-3 September 2020, an online event was organised by the ”Nationell samverkan innovationsplattformar för hållbara attraktiva städer (NATSAM)”. Tove Lund (coordinator for Sharing Cities Göteborg) attended and presented at the event, which was a collaborative discussion on sustainable and attractive cities. NATSAM is a collaborative project between the six innovation platforms where Lund, Göteborg, Borås, Stockholm, Umeå and Kiruna are leading the way to increase the pace of change in Sweden.
Event with Dome of Visions
September 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 8 September 2020, Sharing City Gothenburg organised an event with the Dome of Visions on ”Hur kan delningsekonomin bli ett effektivt verktyg för en hållbar stad?” The event focused on how the sharing economy can contribute to creating a sustainable city. A film recording of the discussions is available to watch.
Sharing City Stockholm participates at Mötesplats Social Innovation
September 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 24 September 2020, Charlie Gullström (coordinator for Sharing City Stockholm) presented at Mötesplats för Social Innovation and talked about the sharing economy in cities and the impacts of the corona virus on cities.
Sharing City Gothenburg – Sharing services and living streets
October 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In October 2020, RISE, a partner in Sharing City Gothenburg, conducted a survey on how sharing services contribute to living street plans. The target group is property owners and urban developers where the idea is to help show the value of having sharing activities in properties. Explore the report and brochure to learn more about the survey and insights.
City Futures Summit
October 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 8 October 2020, Sharing Cities Sweden attended and participated in the City Futures Summit connecting people, projects and places around the world to advance sustainable solutions! The purpose of this event was to offer a creative and critical forum to take forwards missions on smart, sustainable and climate neutral cities. Philip Näslund (coordinator for Sharing City Umeå) was a keynote speaker at this event.
Emerging Insights and Stories from Strategic Projects
October 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): Sharing Cities Sweden is developing strategic projects to investigate the sharing economy in cities in Sweden and support the activities of the test-beds and national node. In October 2020, Sharing Cities Sweden published a collection of articles on the emerging insights and stories from the strategic projects - digital platforms, business models, small towns, behavioural economics and social drivers.
Learning across test-beds in Sharing Cities Sweden
November 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 12 November 2020, the test-beds in Göteborg, Umeå and Malmö organised an online event to share lessons, insights and plans on the sharing economy in cities. Learning across the test-beds is a fundamental aspect in the design and development of Sharing Cities Sweden as a national program for the sharing economy in cities in Sweden.
Urban development district in Gothenburg wins prize
November 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In November 2020, Masthuggskajen – an urban development district in Gothenburg – was awarded a prize in the Sweden Green Building Awards. Masthuggskajen is collaborating with Sharing City Gothenburg in an initiative to develop sharing services in the local area, which involves renting, sharing, borrowing or giving instead of owning. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
Virtual Roundtable on the Future of Sharing
November 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 16 November 2020, Sharing Cities Sweden in collaboration with the Sharing Cities Alliance organised a virtual roundtable entitled –Sharing Cities: Shaping Tomorrow – with the purpose to share insights and ideas on the future of sharing in cities and communities. It gathered together over 40 people from Sweden, the Netherlands and across Europe and the world.
Prize for Gröna Solberga – part of a strategic project
November 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In November 2020, Gröna Solberga received an award from the City of Stockholm for new thinking and innovation. The non-profit housing company Stockholmshem is behind the project, which is also supported through a strategic project by Sharing Cities Sweden. In the residential area Solberga, Stockholmshem together with IVL, the Swedish Environmental Institute, is running a project on sustainable solutions. Here, small and medium-sized companies together with tenants are testing and developing solutions to challenges that exist in the real estate industry.
Builders dialogue in Sege Park leads to economic association
November 2020 (NEWS HEADLINE): In November 2020, Sharing City Malmö has fantastic news to share. Through dialogue meetings, the builders in Sege Park have discussed cooperation and sharing and worked out a diversity of exciting tracks and potential synergy effects. Check out this document that collects what has come up and a business model based on an idea to create conditions for collaborative sharing.
Cities and Consumption – A report on the Sustainable Development Goals
December 2020 (KEY PUBLICATION): In December 2020, Sharing Cities Sweden published a report on sharing cities and the sustainable development goals. Back in October 2019, over 200 people from around the world gathered at the Sharing Cities Summit in Sweden for a conference in Lund and an exhibition and workshops in Malmö. This public event was followed up by further analysis on this topic leading to the publication of this report entitled Cities and Consumption.
New report on lessons on renting recycled bikes
January 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In January 2021, Sharing City Umeå published a report on key lessons and insights on renting recycled bikes. Sharing City Umeå wanted to enable sustainable mobility for visitors and citizens in Umeå, by creating and testing a bicycle sharing service of recycled bicycles.
New article on the “carbon law” and consumption
January 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In January 2021, a new article by researchers in Sharing City Stockholm is on the way. The article explores the climate impact from consumption, following the "carbon law", which suggests consumption needs to be reduced by half every decade. Backcasting helps analysing the gap between present consumption and the "carbon law" target. The article takes Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm as a key case study with exceptional preconditions for climate transition and what needs to be implemented to achieve reductions in consumption.
Nine questions with Philip Näslund from Umeå
January 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In January 2021, Philip Näslund (the coordinator for Sharing City Umeå) was interviewed about activities and ambitions for the sharing economy and climate action in Umeå. Read about the nine questions asked and the responses on reducing climate impact and increasing social sustainability.
Handbook for starting and running a toy library
January 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In January 2021, a handbook on how to start and run a toy library was released. The handbook helps with important contacts, organizations, tips and more on setting up a toy library and facilitating the sharing economy with environmental, social and economics benefits. Sharing Cities Sweden supported the development of the handbook.
Sharing Cities 2020 – a book of global cases
January 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): From January 2021, you can check out the chapters by Sharing Cities Sweden in the Sharing Cities 2020 book of global cases. You can access the whole book as well.
Consumer Values and Practices – final report
March 2021 (KEY PUBLICATION): This final report is based on a study within Sharing City Gothenburg with a focus on consumption of sharing business resources from a consumption culture theoretical perspective. The overall purpose of the study, published in February 2021, focused on creating knowledge and insights about consumer values and practices when confronted with asset-based or sharing-based offers.
The Toy Library – final report with key insights
March 2021 (KEY PUBLICATION): Check out the final report on the Toy Library from Sharing City Gothenburg published in February 2021. Experience and learning is an important dimension of working in a test-bed. The following report describes the development process and the lessons learned from the Toy Library – a leading sharing service in the test-bed.
Live Broadcast of Launch - Smart Map in Umeå
March 2021 (HEADLINE NEWS): More and more consumers are seeing the benefits of having access to goods and services rather than buying and owning as individuals. Sharing, borrowing, renting or exchanging things with others is a growing trend. On 3 March 2021, the Smart Map in Umeå launched in a live broadcast on Facebook in collaboration between Coompanion Nord and Umeå Municipality.
The Future of Sharing? A Roundtable on Sharing Cities and Shaping Tomorrow
March 2021 (KEY PUBLICATION): On 1 March 2021, a new report from the roundtable on “Sharing Cities – Shaping Tomorrow” was published. The roundtable was focused on sharing insights and ideas on the future of sharing in our cities and communities. The roundtable gathered over 40 people from around world and formed part of the Smart City Live Conference. The new report pulls together the conversations at the roundtable and distils the key findings.
New Report on Service and Sharing Hubs – Sharing City Umeå
March 2021 (KEY PUBLICATION): In March 2021, a new report was published by Sharing City Umeå. This document aims to summarize and report on an evaluation of a process of initiating and conducting a test of a vehicle-to-grid technology in the context of service and sharing hubs in Umeå. The simulation work provides insights and an increased understanding of the obstacles and difficulties associated with the technology, but also possible ways forward.
Webinar with Klimatkommunerna: A sharing handbook
April 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In March 2021, the strategic project Sharing Towns organised a preview of the web-based handbook on the sharing economy being developed for small and medium-sized municipalities. Klimatkommunerna organised the webinar in which Henric Barkman from Karlstad municipality presented the handbook that is under development. The handbook is based on a framework (developed by Yuliya Voytenko Palgan) for how municipalities can drive and manage the sharing economy, and also contains a diversity of examples and strategies for small and medium-sized municipalities.
Two new reports from strategic projects
May 2021 (KEY PUBLICATIONS): In April 2021, Sharing Cities Sweden completed two reports from strategic projects. The first report is on Digital Sharing Platforms and creating and testing user-centred digital sharing platforms tailored for Sweden. The second report is on Sharing Communities and investigating the social drivers and potential for the sharing economy in communities and cities in Sweden.
New resources webpage up and running
May 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In May 2021, Sharing Cities Sweden launched a new resources webpage that contains a diversity of reports and outputs that synthesize the activities and findings from different initiatives in the overall program, the test-beds and strategic projects. The majority are in English but also Swedish.
Films of webinars from Sharing City Gothenburg
May 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In May 2021, Sharing City Gothenburg organised and hosted two fantastic webinars on key findings and insights from four years of Sharing Cities Sweden. The recorded films are available to watch. The first webinar focused on how to design and develop a sharing service. The second webinar focused on the value of the sharing economy and the role of the city.
Filling the climate gap – a blogpost from Sharing City Stockholm
MAY 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In May 2021, Örjan Svane from Sharing City Stockholm published a blogpost in the Viable Cities blogpost series. The blogpost details the work in the Hammarby Sjöstad district in Stockholm, which aims to become climate neutral by 2030 through a citizen collaboration process developed through Viable Cities and Sharing Cities Sweden in partnership with local actors.
Philip Näslund speaks at Smart Cities Moscow
May 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 26 May 2021, Philip Näslund, coordinator for Sharing City Umeå, presented at the Smart Cities Moscow online event. In the session on sharing culture, IKEA, BelkaCar and the Sharing Cities Alliance also presented to create a vibrant discussion on the global sharing economy in cities.
Sharing learning and doubling knowledge - business model development for the sharing economy in Gothenburg
JUNE 2021 (KEY PUBLICATIONS): In June 2021, Sharing City Gothenburg published a report that describes how individuals and organizations with a focus on sharing view, and work with, business model development and norm formation.
Circular micro-enterprises - a qualitative study of company needs and municipality views
June 2021 (KEY PUBLICATION): In 2020, a qualitative study was conducted, in which 18 so-called "circular micro-enterprises" (mainly sharing services) were interviewed. The purpose of the study was to understand company needs and everyday life, as well as increase knowledge about this within the City of Gothenburg. The study was funded by internal funds to improve the business climate in Gothenburg and with funds via Sharing City Gothenburg. The report on "circular micro-enterprises" was published in May 2021.
The Municipality Handbook on the Sharing Economy
June 2021 (HEADLINE NEWS): The sharing economy is sometimes perceived as a metropolitan phenomenon. It is often considered more difficult to run a sharing business in small and even medium-sized municipalities because of limited populations and financial resources. With this handbook, published in June 2021, it shows that it is not only possible to run a sharing economy successfully and meaningfully in small and medium-sized municipalities but it is happening and thriving.
Seoul Sharing Cities Global Forum publishes Booklet
June 2021 (HEADLINE NEWS): In November 2020, Kes McCormick (coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden) attended and presented at the Seoul Sharing Cities Global Forum. In June 2021, a booklet from the event was published called the “Seoul Proposal for New Global Collaboration of Sharing Cities in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond”. It contains discussions on ways to promote cooperation between sharing cities after the COVID-19 Era. The event was a global activity with perspectives presented from Europe, the USA and Asia.
Cities as test-beds for sustainable development – Experiences from Gothenburg
June 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In June 2020, Sharing City Gothenburg published a report on the role of municipalities as innovation actors and exploring how cities act as test-beds for sustainable development and the sharing economy. Sharing City Gothenburg consists of 15 partners who within the test-bed worked, both individually and in different constellations, to develop and test services and concepts for sharing products and spaces. The University of Gothenburg is involved as a research partner and studied the sharing economy and the test-bed based on three themes: the municipal role, business models and the user perspective. The following report contributes to the theme of cities as test-beds.
Sharing the future in Sege Park - a blogpost from Sharing City Malmö
June 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In June 2021, Sharing City Malmö published a blogpost in the Viable Cities blogpost series. The blogpost details insights from the test-bed in Malmö with a focus on Sege Park – an urban development district striving to integrate sharing and sustainability principles into the fabric and infrastructure of the area to facilitate lifestyles with minimal environmental and climate impacts.
Final reports on Vehicle-to-Grid – Sharing City Umeå
June 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): Umeå Municipality, Umeå Energi and UPAB have been working since 2020 to enable a demonstration of Vehicle-to-Grid in the parking garage Nanna in Umeå. In June 2021, the results of the demonstration and investigations have been published in a set of final reports.
Webinars on sharing economy in small and medium-sized municipalities
June 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 3 and 6 June 2021, the Sharing Towns strategic project organised webinars on how small and medium-sized municipalities can support the development of the sharing economy. At the webinars, a handbook was presented with five toolboxes and a range of examples of how municipalities can work with developing sharing and sustainability
Sharing City Stockholm launches film on sharing and circular economy
June 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In June 2021, Sharing City Stockholm launched a film on Hammarby Sjöstad that provides an overview of the problems and opportunities that can be encountered as well as important experiences that can be learned from the work with the sharing and circular economy within a district.
Taking the temperature of the sharing economy – a blogpost from Sharing City Göteborg
August 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In August 2021, Sharing City Göteborg published a blogpost in the Viable Cities blogpost series. The blogpost details insights from the test-bed in Göteborg with a focus on knowledge generation, business models in the sharing economy, the users perspective and cities as test-beds for sustainable development.
Sharing City Stockholm - Digital twin for a neighbourhood platform in Hammarby Sjöstad
August 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In August 2021, Sharing City Stockholm launched a film that takes you flying through a new 3D map to share a digital twin - a 3D model developed in Sharing City Stockholm. It invites you in to explore the neighbourhood of Hammarby Sjöstad.
From bike sharing to energy sharing systems - a blogpost from Sharing City Umeå
August 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): In August 2021, Philip Näslund from Sharing City Umeå published a blogpost in the Viable Cities blogpost series. The blogpost details insights from the test-bed in Umeå with a focus on the journey of working with sharing as a gateway to creating sustainable cities and communities with examples from bike sharing to energy sharing systems.
Digital 3D Model of Sege Park
August 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): On the 26 August 2021, Sharing City Malmö launched a digital 3D model of Sege Park where visitors can explore the urban development area and can see how sustainable solutions and sharing services are integrated into the buildings and infrastructure in 2025.
Final Seminar for Sharing Towns
October 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 21 October 2021, the strategic project on Sharing Towns organised a final seminar and shared a final handbook. Kes McCormick (program coordinator for Sharing Cities Sweden) presented at the event.
The Role of Sharing in Creating Sustainable Cities at the Innovate4Cities Conference
October 2021 (NEWS HEADLINE): On 11-15 October 2021, Sharing Cities Sweden contributed a collection of films to the “cinema space” at the Innovate4Cities Conference. The films capture the key findings from over 100 outputs from Sharing Cities Sweden.
