The PULS-FYN analysis describes in detail 50 of the most important town communities' urban and housing qualities and their possibilities to attract newcomers. The analysis also gives an overview of regional and local business profiles and development potentials. Furthermore it contains an examination of action areas and goals for the local business. The analysis is an example of how to promote a debate about the regions development opportunities in the future which also concerns how the different local communities and cities, with their different conditions, best can contribute to a balanced and positive development of the region of Funen.

The analysis was created as a discussion paper prior to the adaption of Region Plan 2005-2017.

The analysis shows that Funen County has not gained as much as other regions from the transition towards a knowledge society. Funen has lost ground in comparison to the Triangle Region, the Aarhus area and the Capital region. The growth centre is around Odense but the growth is not spread as widely as in other growth regions. Furthermore, there are internal differences in the development on Funen. The towns along the motorway and the coast are experiencing a higher population growth than the rest of Funen County. There is a limited development of innovative environments. The wage-earner lifestyle and the 'Funen mentality' are prevalent while the career and the entrepreneurial lifestyle are less common. A number of towns especially along the coast have a high degree of urban qualities and a big development potential. The old market towns have unique historical parts. The analysis points out that there is still a need to create regional jobs and commuting cannot be the only focus. The positions of strength for businesses in Funen County emphasise education, health, food products, nurseries, iron and metal industry, tourism including hotels and restaurants, maritime businesses, business services and agriculture. Some of these are assessed to have growth possibilities in the knowledge and experience based economy.

Funen County
Sussi Jensen

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research

Urban Policy

Urban environment