Turku University of Applied Sciences and the City of Turku want to be pioneers in circular economy solutions. The joint Circular Science Park project aims to produce fresh innovations for the benefit of the region through a variety of experiments. A new learning environment for development ideas has now been opened on the Kupittaa campus.
Take a peek inside the Experiment Lab. The learning environment enables bold circular economy experiments with user-driven Living Lab activities.
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Text and photos: Aleksi Rajamäki
– We involve the industry in a joint debate. We encourage them to take concrete circular economy actions in the fields of construction, mobility, biodiversity and business. We also involve thesis writers and other students, says Piia Nurmi, who is responsible for the project at Turku University of Applied Sciences.
Starting in spring 2024, the project will bring together local businesses and other expert organisations. Turku University of Applied Sciences’ role is to accelerate different forms of cooperation and practical work, and to bring students into the development work.
– In 2023, the city’s Science Park flagship project drew up a roadmap for the area’s circular economy needs. We were excited and wanted to be involved. We started to think about how to make the circular economy more visible in the development of the area now and in the future, Nurmi explains.
Thematic groups working towards a common goal
In practice, Turku University of Applied Sciences promotes the circular economy goals through networked thematic group work (in Finnish). The groups are coordinated by Senior Advisor Inka Mäkiö. According to her, cooperation is at its best when it brings innovative project openings.
– We aim to identify cross-cutting themes with businesses and communities. At the same time, we run a range of pilots and experiments, which can include completely new business models.
– The UAS has strong expertise in how to develop the circular economy for the benefit of individuals, businesses and society at the same time. This is an excellent opportunity to bring research and action close to our campus, says Mäkiö.
Turku Science Park increases knowledge in a multidisciplinary way. Sharing ideas and experiences is particularly important.
– Our goal is to make the region a bold pioneer of the circular economy, and business is a key asset. Meetings of the thematic groups will bring up various ideas that can be tested in Kupittaa and Itäharju, for example, says Senior Specialist Maarit Jaakola from Turku UAS.
A new learning environment for low-threshold experimentation
A new experimental lab has opened on the Kupittaa campus, where students involve other students and citizens in the development of the area. Everyone can give their suggestions on what the Science Park could look like in the future.
– The Experimental Lab is a low-threshold place for co-development, encounters and new insights. All residents, students and businesses are welcome, says Piia Nurmi, Project Manager.
The learning environment is located on the first floor of DataCity’s C-wing, at Lemminkäisenkatu 14, and will be used by the project until at least the end of February 2025. In the past, Experimental Lab has operated as a pop-up in Kupittaa Park, among other places.
According to Piia Nurmi, Experimental Lab could be a learning environment for all Turku university students, where the circular economy perspective is reinforced with real companies. International actors will also be able to participate through partner networks.
– The pilot lab has been developed in cooperation with the Utrecht University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. The students’ task was to envision and design how such a temporary space could best function.
The Turku Science Park Experimental Lab is coordinated by the Circular Business Models research group of Turku University of Applied Sciences.
The circular economy is more than just recycling
Senior Specialist Maarit Jaakola says that planning is everything in the circular economy.
– The circular economy typically has a wide range of business models, and often depends on the perspective from which the topic is viewed. In any case, it is important to consider the circular economy at the business planning stage.
– The key would be to move from a linear to a circular economy. Often, too much focus is placed on what happens at the end of the line, Jaakola points out.
The experts at Turku University of Applied Sciences have decades of experience in business development and sustainable development.
What would your dream Science Park look like?
Circular Science Park will promote the transition of the renewing Turku Science Park to a circular economy and enable the growth of knowledge through multidisciplinary cooperation.
Would you like to get involved and develop circular economy solutions in the region? Experts in the field meet regularly in the Cooperation Forum and its thematic groups. Contact us to discuss further: inka.makio@turkuamk.fi.
The project will run until the end of March 2026 and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project manager is Nea Metsänranta from the City of Turku.
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