NSB CoRe North Sea-Baltic Connector of Regions Work Package 4 Spatial Planning for NSB CoRe Network Development Accessibility Needs Along and Beyond the Core Corridors Summary of the Discussion* The Workshop Accessibility Needs Along and Beyond the Core Corridors was organized in Vaasa, Finland on 14.03.2018. Workshop was organized backto-back with the project`s E12 Atlantica Transport Final Conference and 78 stakeholders took part in the workshop representing Finland, Sweden, Norway as well as Latvia and Estonia. Main focus area of the workshop was Sweden and Finland in relation to the NSB CoRe corridor and it`s catchment area as defined in the NSB CoRe project Helsinki-Tampere-Vaasa-Umeå. Three main topics were discussed in the workshop: 2 nd level nodes of the NSB CoRe corridor, Main needs and bottlenecks for Corridor Development in Finland and Sweden, Expected changes and regional benefits along NSB CoRe in 2050. *this is not a comprehensive analysis of NSB CoRe corridor development needs, but a perspective of workshop participants NSB CoRe WP4 Regional Workshop Vaasa 14/03/2018
2 nd level nodes The participants were divided into five groups. Each group received a map of the Northern part of the NSB CoRe corridor (Estonia, Finland, Sweden + Norway and Western Russia). The groups were asked to point on the map important 2nd level nodes. Compilation of all identified 2 nd level nodes is depicted on the map.
Needs for Corridor Development The needs related to the NSB Nortern project area were identified through research and classified into four categories. The validation of needs was done in two steps. First, the participants voted on the most important needs under four categories. Then, the participants discussed in groups whether there were any needs that were not identified in the research. The group discussions mainly confirmed the voting results. Idea of fixed link between Vaasa and Umeå was rised. SWE/FI rail infrastructure Common for E12 & NSB Macro-regional NSB CoRe related Ensure ferry integration with rail network for both passengers and cargo in Umeå and Vaasa (19 Develop the missing rail connections from Sweden to Norway (17 Build the North Bothnia line (13 Electrification of Storuman Hällnäs line (8 Develop double tracks on connection between Seinäjoki-Tampere (7 Find effective solution for the different gauge width between Finland and Sweden (7 Sustainable ferry on Vaasa-Umeå connection, which enables more truck load, less pollution. Integrate ferry with rail network for both passengers and cargo (30 Extend the NSB core or catchment area even further to the NW Sweden and Norway (Mo I Rana) (22 Develop further Vaasa - Umeå cooperation (13 Extend the Helsinki-Tampere growth corridor to Vaasa (11 Promote Umeå-Vaasa Nordic Logistic Centre (8 Extend the NSB core or catchment area even further to the NW Sweden and Norway (Mo I Rana) (26 Create connections to the Modern Silk Road to reach Asia (22 More developed connections from Central Europe to Arctic region and Russia (12 Build Tallinn-Helsinki rail tunnel (11 Build Rail Baltica (8 Activate cross-border cooperation on political decision-making level regarding the corridor. It is important to set common goals and have political will to do thing together (22 Introduce new ways or procedures of doing cross-border planning (22 Create an overall NSB corridor related thinking (16 Combine the strengths in business, labor market, education, tourism between all NSB countries and enhance social, economic and cultural cooperation (11 Introduce a common management for further promotion and development of NSB CoRe and define organization that will take the leading role in the process, carry out communication etc. (9
Expected changes The participants discussed the question By 2050, what kind of changes would NSB corridor have caused? in six groups. The groups were given picture cards with different economic sectors to inspire overall societal thinking. At the end of the discussion, the participants voted on the most important expected changes. The most important expected changes related to attractiveness of the region in terms of investments and tourism, as well as decreased travel times and its consequences. In the Table below all the expected changes are collected and the most popular ones are underlined. Economy More attractive region (19 Improved infrastructure attracts investments (11 Better business possibilities and improved competitiveness Boosting economy Innovation - chance to connect inland and coastal ideas Bigger and better industries Transport Shorter travel times (12 New node in the EU transport system huge impact on commuting Employment Cross-border labour market (9 Long-distance working opportunities Tourism More attractive region Access to more diverse activities (10 Agriculture and fishery Strengthening the rural areas Green and blue economy combined New bioindustry Fishery would benefit Education Higher standard in education (8 More international co-operation between higher education institutions and business (crossing borders) (8 Health care Better health-care due to a larger critical mass Other New home for climate refugees Resources minerals Our understanding of who the change is for improves Security situation affected in both directions
NSB CoRe project (2016 2019) is a EUSBSR transport flagship that aims to improve the internal and external accessibility of the regions along the North Sea-Baltic Corridor. 16 partners are participating in the NSB CoRe project covering Sweden, Finland, the Baltic States, Poland and Germany. Project activities cover logistics, long distance commuting services, spatial planning and Rail Baltica branding case. The Vision of the NSB CoRe corridor is being elaborated by the VASAB Secretariat in order to enhance regional development, logistics and mobility. Spatial vision draft will be released in the second half of 2018. The main aims of the Vision are: Improve cooperation between national and regional authorities in planning and development of linkages between NSB infrastructure and regional/urban transport networks. Seek for the needs of improvements of the North Sea Baltic corridor connections with the 2nd level transport networks; Assess impact of the NSB CoRe corridor upon regional development processes in the territory of the corridor. www.nsbcore.eu VASAB is intergovernmental multilateral co-operation of 11 countries of the Baltic Sea Region in spatial planning and development, guided by the Conference of Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development, steered by the Committee on Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region (CSPD/BSR) composed of representatives of respective ministries and regional authorities (Germany, Russia). VASAB prepares policy options for the territorial development of the Baltic Sea Region and provides a forum for exchange of know-how on spatial planning and development. www.vasab.org Contact: Liene Stikane, Spatial planner for NSB CoRe at VASAB Secretariat Liene.stikane@vasab.org + 371 26441064