Zealand (Sjælland)

The elected Regional Council represents the Region of Zealand in PURPLE. The Region of Zealand is one of five Danish regions, and covers most of Zealand, Lolland and Falster islands plus a number of smaller islands. The Region consists of 17 different municipalities (see map)with their own locally elected city councils.


Zealand has a total population of app. 810.000 inhabitants and is the second most densely populated region in Denmark – only short of the Capital Region. The Region of Zealand mainly consists of rural areas and is divided into 17 municipalities each with a small city or town as the focal point – but without any major metropolis. The largest cities in the region are Næstved and Roskilde with app. 80.000 inhabitants.

The main industries in the Region of Zealand are traditional ones along with farming and the service sector. Traditional industry is having a hard time attracting skilled labour to the rural area due to poor infrastructure and a lack of daily facilities such as local schools, shops and hospitals etc. This is especially noticeable in comparison to the Capital Region which has Copenhagen as a real metropolis close by. There is a tendency for skilled labour to move to or work in the capital area. it is therefore not contributing to growth and development in the Region of Zealand.

This is one of the main reasons for why Zealand has joined PURPLE, in order to share best practice and create projects with other regions in Europe facing similar challenges.

Roskilde University is the only university in the region, and it therefore has a very important role in promoting innovation and helping create growth. The Region of Zealand is particularly strong in developing and creating innovation in the areas of climate change, environmental protection and sustainable energy. We want to further this process, and are giving support to businesses and projects with the aim of creating more green jobs. Such initiatives alongside the search for effective responses to climate challenges are also EU priorities, and Zealand wishes to establish partnerships in Europe with other regions that are engaged in similar work.

 Faroe Bridge connecting Zealand with Falster

Description of peri-urban areas

7.273 sq. km
811.511 inhabitants
17 municipalities
Budget of approx. 2 billion Euros

Main economic activities: traditional industry, farmland, services.

Opportunities, strengths and successes of peri-urban areas

Agriculture/horticulture – organic farming.
Strong competences in climate change, environment protection and sustainable energy.
Development of major infrastructure project – Fehmarn Belt fixed link.
Strong health system, hospitals and health education.
Development of tourism, historical sites, eco-tourism.

Particular problems and challenges facing peri-urban areas

Lack of workers, particularly in social and health related jobs.
Need to attract skilled workers
Commuting population. 
17 medium sized communes, but no major centre.
Remote areas with little or no public transport.

Current initiatives and projects relevant to PURPLE

Partner to ORIB project, Urban Development and Infrastructure in the Øresund Region.
Many projects on climate change, sustainable energy, energy centres.

Why Zealand is a member of PURPLE Exchange of experience, project development.


 

 

Last updated: 26 May 2009