New Resource-Wise Planning Strategies for Smart Urban-Rural Development in Finland
1
Oulu School of Architecture, University of Oulu, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
2
Faculty of Technology, University of Applied Sciences, Lahti FI-15110, Finland
3
Natural Resources Institute (Luke), Economics and Society, Oulu FI-90014, Finland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editors: Christina Kakderi, Nicos Komninos and Panagiotis Tsarchopoulos
Systems 2017, 5(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems5010010
Received: 28 November 2016 / Revised: 26 January 2017 / Accepted: 2 February 2017 / Published: 7 February 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Cities and Regions as Systems of Innovation)
This article discusses the opportunities and challenges for resource-wise development strategies in regional planning. Spatial planning integrates the key aspects, transportation, housing, and food production which are, on many occasions, stated as the most significant consumption factors causing environmental impacts. In light of the challenges that regions are currently facing in Finland, we are drawing attention to the role of strategic spatial planning as demand-responsive resource management, a theme which is still inadequately addressed within regional development and planning in Finland. In many other fields of society, innovative data-based products and demand- and user-driven services are considered important sources of success in the future. Such strategies combine different types of service providers, like deliveries for groceries or restaurant meals, mobile healthcare services, or public transport with on-demand services. We highlight the fact that a regionally large and sparsely populated country, such as Finland, cannot achieve success solely through centralisation. Instead, smart networking, co-creation, and innovative cyber-physical solutions are vital for the utilisation of the entire country’s resource potentiality. In conclusion, we underpin the need for a framework, which would offer a strategic support scheme for resource-wise development, resource optimization, and closure of yield gaps. In our view it is necessary to begin to envision, strategise, and develop user- and demand-responsive development strategies with a specific aim for sustainable, resource-wise ways of life in northern regions, also outside the growing urban centres, and innovate solutions that help individuals, communities, and the whole society to renew and manage resources wisely.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Rönkkö, E.; Luusua, A.; Aarrevaara, E.; Herneoja, A.; Muilu, T. New Resource-Wise Planning Strategies for Smart Urban-Rural Development in Finland. Systems 2017, 5, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems5010010
AMA Style
Rönkkö E, Luusua A, Aarrevaara E, Herneoja A, Muilu T. New Resource-Wise Planning Strategies for Smart Urban-Rural Development in Finland. Systems. 2017; 5(1):10. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems5010010
Chicago/Turabian StyleRönkkö, Emilia; Luusua, Anna; Aarrevaara, Eeva; Herneoja, Aulikki; Muilu, Toivo. 2017. "New Resource-Wise Planning Strategies for Smart Urban-Rural Development in Finland" Systems 5, no. 1: 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems5010010
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