The City of Knowledge is celebrating its 5th anniversary

The interest group of the city

Even at the very first general assembly in 2012 the amibitions were high, when the City of Knowledge 2020-strategywas unpacked. But was it possible to create a sustainable model for urban development in Lyngby? Was it possible to gather the stakeholders in the city across industries, sectors and interests and sustain involvement and progress?

When the City of Knowledge in 2017 celebrates its fifth anniversary as an association, it is due to the commitment of its members and the financial model of the association, which has proven sustainable. Many other initiaitives at a city-wide level has seen the dawn of day, but few has surived past the stage as a pilot-project or the time limits on public funds. That Lyngby-Taarbæk City of Knowledge is now celebrating its anniversity is therefore unique.

In the City of Knowledge model it is the contribution of members that drives the acitivities and daily work forward, while external funding is raised for specific projects. The members determine the themes of the annual calendar and create new projects and networks. The members, who are composited of 62 private companies, the municipality and 8 research and educational institutions. Thus the stakeholders of the city is widely representeret and the City of Knowledge acts as the interest group for its members and the city.

Inspiring urban development

There is a growing tendency within urban development to involve and gather the stakeholders of the city across interests, sectors and industries. The model, which forms the basis of the City of Knowledge, is envoking great interest and inspiration outside of Lyngby. For example, a similar association based on the City of Knowledge named  ‘IQ’ is currently well-underway in Roskilde.

At Frederiksberg and in Sydhavnen they are also inspired the by the Triple-Helix principal behind the City of Knowledge. In many other connections the City of Knowledge is highlighted as an example of strategic urban development, including a report by Realdania By og By from 2016 on urban development (danish) and the Magazine F5’s list of strategic urban development in Denmark(danish).

Since its beginning in 2012, the City of Knowledge has created a number of results and projects, which have contributed to the development of Lyngby. Five years later the City of Knowledge-partnership still involves, inspires and ensures progress in Lyngby. For the next five years, the City of Knowledge will continute its work and vision to develop Lyngby into one of the leading knowledge and university towns in Europe.