Malmö: Meeting the “green” city

June 19-21, 2016 in Malmö (Sweden) a scientific seminar of the Jean Monnet projects was held. The seminar was attended by Leonid Melnyk, Dr., Professor, Head of the Department of Economics and Business Administration of Sumy State University, Director of the Institute for Development Economics of Ministry of Education & Science and National Academy of Science of Ukraine.

In the workshop 90 scientists from 38 countries were presented. The participants, depending on the profile of their project works, participated in three sections devoted to: 1) the financial problems of the European Union; 2) border security; 3) energy issues. Prof. Leonid Melnyk took an active part in the third section.

One of the key themes of the seminar was the diversification of the EU integration, which was devoted to the report of the keynote speaker Franco Shimmelfennigayu. It is not by accident that a French slogan: «EU a la carte?» was the official name of the seminar. In the literal translation – “Is the EU at a stake?” And it means “Is the EU diversified?” In fact, it involves finding common ground while preserving diversity (economic, administrative and social).

In the energy section, where they worked, three Ukrainian representatives of the four participating in the seminar, the key issue that was addressed in the speeches of official speakers was the diversification of gas transfer channels to Europe to mitigate the problems associated with the monopoly of Russian supplies. One way of solving the problem, as Simone Tagliapietra said, is the creation of a new redistribution of the gas infrastructure in Europe.

The participants of the seminar

Work of energy section. Key speakers

At the round table the representatives of Ukraine (Prof. Melnyk L.G. and Prof. Shatoha V. I.) expressed the view that the formation of this infrastructure should be combined in time with European countries transition to alternative energy sources. By the way, one of the areas that has been living in a “carbon-neutral energy” (i.e., without using fossil fuel carbon), the participants were able to meet directly in Malmö, visiting one of the city’s districts. Malmö is considered to be the “green” capital of Sweden, following sustainable (including environmentally friendly) way of life.

In Malmö conference participants could get acquainted with two “miracles”: the ability to cross the Baltic Sea by land transport (including 5.5 km through a tunnel under the sea and 10 km across the bridge over the sea).

The tunnel under the Baltic Sea. The bridge over the Baltic Sea

The second miracle is an acquaintance with gardens on the roofs. The representatives of the local research institute (Augustenborg botanical roof garden) introduced this technology, as well as the gardens.

In the Institute of roof gardens

On the roof gardens coexist with solar panels

Cascade of fountains is also on the roof

Artificial swamp in the yard where water collected from the roofs is accumulated

In Malmö one of the areas of the city stands out for its environmental friendliness. Here live more than 10 thousand people. This area can rightfully be called the district of sustainable development. The streets are exclusively pedestrian, although personal vehicles may carefully go into the garage and back. All the energy that is consumed in the town is also produced here (biogas, wind, sun).

“Green” (sustainable) district in Western Gurber

Lavender ring in the district