UBC - The UBC Bulletin / 1-99

CITIZEN'S ACTION IN TAMPERE

In developing Local Agenda 21 for Tampere, the ideas for sustainable future of the City have been discussed by interest groups consisting of and led by concerned citizens.

On 14 December 1994, the Tampere City Council committed itself to implementing an environmental policy programme (EPP) following up on the Rio's Local Agenda and the Aalborg Charter.The policy included goals and principles aimed at sustaining Tampere's environment.

This would be accomplished through a specially designed Environmental Management System, incorporating environmental considerations in to daily city management.

One of the Agenda 21 principles is participation and actions of citizens. Therefore, Local Agenda 21 work cannot be restricted only to environmental management in city administration, but it must be broadened to involve all citizens. To get citizens opinions on the sustainable city development Tampere-Forum was initiated in autumn 1996. The Forum aims to inform the citizens about up-to-date activities in the city and offers possibilities to affect decision-making and sustainable city development. Different topics have been discussed at meetings, as well as on the internet, allowing a rapid modern exchange of ideas and accumulation of knowledge.

In August 1998 a Local Agenda 21 process was initiated to collect citizens' opinions. About 200 people attended the opening meeting, clearly showing that this kind of discussion was needed. Based on the points of view raised there, the following interest groups were created:

-city planning procedure, climate change, global responsibility, sustainable transport systems, biodiversity of nature, environment and health, social and domestic management, sustainable production, consumption and employment, sustainable cultural environment.

The action groups' objectives were to generate the picture of Tampere's sustainable development. The City Council initiated the programme, with the planning opportunity undertaken by citizens, NGO's, companies, and politicians.

In autumn 1998 the groups held individual meetings with their trained group leaders, discussing sustainable development within their area of concern. In January 1999 these ideas were presented as an Idea Bank. The next step is to combine the ideas of the groups, administrators and other interested parties with existing policies. By the end of June 1999 the Local Agenda 21 for Tampere will be presented and it will constitute the basis for the environmental policy of Tampere. It will also be used to update the City Environmental Management System.

Further informtaion:

Mr Harri Willberg
City of Tampere
Phone:
+358 3 21 535 79
Fax:
+358 3 21 532 08
e-mail:
harri.willberg@tt.tampere.fi

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