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Grodzisk Mazowiecki is a district that implements modern solutions  have been used in other European countries – it is a place which is characterized by its openness to new economic and investment initiatives, as well as cultural and social ones. After all, it is district where everyone can express their opinions and take an active part in development. Openness and dialogue have been fundamental in maintaining the positive image of the district at local, regional, national and even international levels.  

Grodzisk Mazowiecki is a city of distinction in the Mazovian Voivodeship, as well as in the entire country. It allocates around 30 percent of its budget to investment that improve the lives of its citizens. The number of businesses is constantly and rapidly growing here, and the unemployment level is the lowest. In the area of the environment, improvements in the water and sewage system have been acknowledged as undeniably successful, and have a significant influence on the health and lives of residents.

Combating climate change without undermining economic growth and welfare is one of the greatest imperatives for local governments to address. The role of local authorities is to encourage reduction of CO2 emissions, expansion of renewable energy and promotion of energy savings.

The Edge Cities Network wish to exchange knowledge and to share experiences about strategies to promote green, sustainable cities, and to identify how the ‘green and energy efficient city can add important urban growth, environmental value and positive identity to the edge city

The method will be to pool existing resources and mechanisms and to develop multifaceted partnership strategies between City Council, energy providers, social and private housing societies, SMEs and universities.

 As stated in the “Governance and Citizen Consultation and participation” conference’s issue paper (ECN Brussels meeting November 2006), citizen consultation and participation have become highly relevant and is indeed a core issue in developing local democracy. It is recommended by the OECD that the interaction between the citizen and the government is strengthening – but it is as well both a demand and a wish among the citizens and the public institutions themselves.

The Edge Cities Network will focus on how the partners are working with citizen participation and consultation, and how the interaction can be further strengthened.     

3.2. Children & Youth participation

 “A direct way to foster a next generation of conscious and committed citizens as well as the next generations of local politicians”. This was stated during the presentation of the Fingal Youth Council at the ‘Governance and Citizen Consultation and participation Conference’ in Brussels, November 2006. The involvement and commitment of children and young people are of great importance for the development and progress of the future local communities. Furthermore, the new ideas and activities of children and young people are contributing to engender innovation and change.

3.3 The Edge Cities Network will focus on how the partners are involving and cooperating with the children and young people. The partners will exchange ideas and knowledge within this field, and get to learn about the different initiatives and results of the edge cities municipalities.   

 2.1. Education and Innovation

 Education is a key condition for citizens’ ability to thrive and manage in today’s knowledge economy. You will have to develop a number of different skills to make you act in and shape tomorrow’s society. ICT, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills are essential as well as the skills within mathematics, science and engineering is fundamental for ensuring technical innovation.

This makes demands on the education given by the local authorities. The development of modern knowledge economies has increased the importance of education policies and demands efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources.

 Furthermore, in today’s globalized world innovation and new initiatives are required by everyone – also the municipalities. The global development makes new demands to the policies of the Edge Cities. The partners of the Network must be conscious about the role

of their own capital-region in the global scene. And the partners will have to use all kinds of human competence and qualification present in our local community.

 The Edge Cities network will focus on how the partner municipalities can be prepared for the challenges of a globalized society and a knowledge-based economy.  

The Network will exchange knowledge and work together within different ways of improving education and innovation in the edge cities.  

2.2. Development of Tourism and Experience Economy in the Edge Cities

www.pernik.bg

Pernik is the edge of Sofia, Bulgaria.

Pernik (Bulgarian: Перник) is a city in western Bulgaria (around 30 km south-west of Capital – Sofia) with a population of 106 396 as of 2009.

The town of Pernik is on one of the oldest trade routes on the Balkans, i.e. Sofia – Salonika – Skopje, which is the shortest route connecting the Danube and the Aegean Sea. The railway routes Sofia – Blagoevgrad – Kulata; Sofia – Volujak – Pernik are of great economic importance to the region.

Originally the site of a Thracian fortress founded in the 4th century BC, and later a Roman settlement, Pernik became part of the Bulgarian Empire in the early 9th century as an important fortress. The name Pernik is thought to have originated from that of Slavic god Perun with the Slavic placename suffix –nik (or –ik) added, and was first mentioned in the 9th century. The medieval town was a key Bulgarian stronghold during Bulgarian tsar Samuil‘s wars against the Byzantine Empire in the 11th century, when it was governed by the local noble Krakra of Pernik, withstanding Byzantine sieges a number of times. The city was occupied by Stefan Nemanja, who was Grand Prince of Raska 1190-1191. 

From 1396 until 1878 the city was under Ottoman rule. In the 20th century Pernik developed rapidly as a centre for coal mining and heavy industry.

Is an administrative territorial unit comprises 24 settlements – 2 town and 22 villages, its area being 461.1 sq km, which is more than the average area of a Bulgarian municipality, i.e. 427 sq km. In Bulgaria 4.8 settlements average are located on a territory of 100 sq km. This figure is 4.98 for the municipality of Pernik.
The municipality has a population of 106 396 (as of August 15, 2009 ), 96 012 of whom live in the town of Pernik.

KEY FIGURES

Pernik Municipality, Sofia Region,  is only 30 km southeast of Sofia.

Pernik is close to:

—  transport  corridors   8  and   4;

—  main road  Sofia- Pernik -Tran -Serbia;

—  main road Sofia- Pernik- Kyustendil – Serbia;

—  main road Sofia- Pernik -Blagoevgrad -Greece;

—  Sofia-Blagoevgrad -Greece  railway;

—  and  40  km  away  from  Sofia  International  Airport;

—  Motorway  “Lyulin”  is  under  construction.

—  The biggest Main junction on Balkans is constructed

Population

Inhabitants: 106 396

Business

Pernik municipality was one of the largest industrial centers in Bulgaria during the 80`s of the last century with fast development of:

• metallurgy;
• machinery construction;
• electric industry;
• Coal production.

The economy of Pernik started to transform after 1989.

The huge industrial factories lost their economic importance and some of them completely stopped their activities.

A change of the property ownership in the economic sector was made during the last 17-18 years. Most of the industrial factories were privatized and thus, being private property, a process of modernization and renovation occurred.

Globalization and the competiveness’ pressure on the economy were created:

•  new productions;
•  new technologies;
•  new knowledge;
•  new workforce qualification.

Conditions have been created and the existing industrial zone is developing successfully

—  New infrastructure is built in 2010;

—  EU project “ReTInA”

—  Close cooperation with companies is started to create new PPP.

The biggest metallurgy factory on Balkans – Stomana Industry S.A. is situated in existing industrial zone

Conditions were made for development of New industrial zone with new high technological productions and logistics center

—  Area 35ha  and possibility for increasing;

—  Road was created with PHARE project;

—  Terrain ready for industrial constructing and building of road and engineer infrastructure.

Advantages of New Industrial zone

—  Presence of resources nearby the area – water, electro energy, gas, telecommunications, transports connections.

—  Proximity to river and see ports – Vidin, Bourgas and Thessalonica.

—  Lower costs for rent, land purchase and building of industrial and other buildings or equipment, in comparison with the Capital Sofia.

—  High educated stuff from the institutions of higher education in the region.

Educational institutions:

—  The Place of culture is created in 1957;

—  European Polytechnic University  – the only one European University on the Balkans

—  15 eight-grade schools;

—   6  secondary schools;

—  6 vocational schools;

—  18 all-day

—  kindergartens

STRATEGIES, VISIONS & CHALLENGES

The mayor, his staff and City Council have the political will and ambition to make Pernik a modern European city

Pernik Municipality is developed a “Plan for development of Pernik Municipality 2007-2013” according to Law Regional development. The main priorities are:

—  Reconstruction and modernization of existing infrastructure in line with European standards.

—  Improvement and construction of new objects of urban environment.

—  Improvement of the conditions in educational, cultural and social basis through measures for energy saving

—  Creation of terms and conditions for business development in Pernik.

—  Attract investors of high-tech industries and logistics center in new industrial zone Pernik.

Pernik Municipality has won:

“Town of 2009 year” award

The Mayor Yanakieva has won:

“Mayor of 2009 year” award

The Mayor Yanakieva is

Chairman of Bulgarian delegation in Congress of Europe Consul

Pernik Municipality is nominate for

The most transparent Municipality in 2010

Pernik Municipality is member of

Pernik Municipality has won:

“Bulgarian Municipality accumulated the most money from EC in 2010” award

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Member of the Edge Cities Network since 2009. Pernik is twinned with

1. Balashiha – Russia
2. Elektrostal – Russia
3. Orsha – Belarus
4. Lugansk – Ukraina
5. Lublin – Poland
6. Rojae – Montenegro
7. Kavadarci – R. Macedonia
8. Nis – Serbia
9. Pardubice – Czech Republic
10. Orosey – Italy
11. 11. Ovar – Portugal

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN PERNIK?

www.pernik.bg

The Municipality of Nacka is the edge of Stockholm, Sweden. The combination of new and old, the beautiful nature with many lakes, creeks, sounds and archipelagos give Nacka its special character.

Nacka is one of the most attractive growth areas in the Stockholm region, with a fast-growing population and a thriving, changing, expanding economy. Entrepreneurs and visitors always find good reasons to stay on here. We enjoy a close and ongoing working relationship with local business organizations. Our shared aim is to enhance the opportunities.

Nacka has always had a strong focus on having a vibrant cultural and sport life. It means that Nacka today has more than 500 associations within sport, culture and leisure; and a wide range of facilities for the active people in Nacka.

An outstanding characteristic for the Municipality of Nacka is the customer choice systems which encompasses childcare, education and care for the elderly. The purpose of the customer choice systems is to offer the municipality’s residents freedom of choice and direct influence over these services.

VALUES

“Openness and Diversity” have become watchwords in the Municipality of Nacka, underlining the municipality’s vision of the future. The core value within the Municipality of Nacka is, “Confidence in and respect for people’s knowledge and their own capacities – and their willingness to shoulder responsibility”.

STRATEGIES, VISIONS & CHALLENGES

In the 2010 elections the Alliance for Sweden (Conservatives, Liberals, Christian Democrats and Centre Party) received the people’s trust and together formed a political majority in Nacka City Council. A joint proposal to the objectives and the municipality’s budget for 2011- 2014 have also been presented.
A brief summary:
Majority Program for 2011-2014
In addition to the major welfare areas are under the mandate substantial energy to develop four focus areas:

• Jobs and business.

• Children and young people’s living conditions.

• A balanced housing and good transport solutions.

• Work Climate

Quality and choice in the top
The quality of the activities of the citizens of Nacka will be among the best when compared with other municipalities in the country. The choice should be large and lie the top, even by international standards.

Our basic ideas and values based on tolerance and respect for the individual, of all people equal value.
Integration
We want a society which welcomes everyone. Jobs, education and high housing standards are key for integration.

Creating jobs in Nacka
Job policy development, including higher aspirations for the municipality’s industrial policy. Enterprise policy pays special attention to:

• “Innovations and innovation companies”  in this regards, projects are already underway.

Tourism
Nacka endeavors to continue support to its tourism sector. The opportunities for “cultural tourism” is of special concern.

Sweden’s best schools
The school’s role is primarily to impart knowledge. All children in Nacka are to be given the best start in life, like a solid education. The goal of having one computer per student should be achieved in 2013. Different schools have different ways but the goal is common. The road to knowledge of the individual classes are determined by dialogue between teachers, pupils and parents.
Environment
Nacka is close to both city and archipelago. Natural and environmental responsibility must be  protected for the future. Nacka will provide a well-kept and beautiful impression. Nacka’s persistent efforts for good health and the environment and sustainable development should continue and be intensified. Conditions for wind power are examined and
for investment in solar power / solar panels and other renewable and local production.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Member of the Edge Cities Network since 1996. Nacka is twinned with Keila, Estonia,Jelgava, Latvia, Gliwice, Poland, Pyttis, Finland, Adalar, Turkey, Baranovichi, Belarus and Kisumu, Kenya. Nacka is a member of the Union of the Baltic Cities, UBC and ENSA European Network of Social Authorities.

KEY FIGURES

Area:

Land area                                       9 543 hectare              95, 4 km²

Water area (lakes)                             468 hectare                4, 7 km²

Total area (excluding the sea)      10 010 hectare            100, 1 km²

Part of the region “Stockholm Region – Mälarregionen

South-east border with the central Stockholm

55 km to Arlanda airport

0 km to highway

2 km to the nearest subway

Population

Inhabitants: app. 90 100

Business

App.3, 500 enterprises

Educational institutions:

International

Design

IT

Music

Sport

WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SWEDEN?

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