As the name implies, Tiedepuisto is a hub of knowledge and expertise, at the heart of which operate the University of Turku, Turku University of Applied Sciences, and the area's research and educational activities.
– The future of Turku is built on three strong cornerstones: the shipyard, drug development, and Tiedepuisto. The shipyard and the pharmaceutical industry have a massive economic significance for our region, and the strength of Tiedepuisto, in turn, is the intellectual capital it produces, summarizes Mikko Lehtinen, CEO of Turun Teknologiakiinteistöt.
According to Lehtinen, the greatest strength of Tiedepuisto is that one can develop there throughout their entire career: first study, then complete an internship, eventually move on to paid work, and later perhaps start their own company.
– Our goal is to keep talented people in Turku and create pathways for them to succeed here. When we succeed in this, we get more students, companies, and innovations. It also has a huge significance for Turku in terms of regional economy.
Every step is towards a better Tiedepuisto
The development and expansion of Tiedepuisto are currently advancing on many fronts. New zoning solutions enable the area to expand and increase its vitality in new ways, but the plans are implemented with moderation, not haste. Lehtinen emphasizes that building the area is not just about adding square meters, but above all, about developing the content.
”Developing Tiedepuisto is not just about individual buildings or infrastructure projects, but above all, about building a community.”
– This is not a three or five-year project, but we are thinking about the future for decades to come. We do not want to fill the area with short-sighted solutions. Every space built must serve the core mission of the area: education, research, and business activity. Housing is also needed, of course, but it will be concentrated in certain areas.
Developing Tiedepuisto is not just about individual buildings or infrastructure projects, but above all, about building a community.
– Tiedepuisto is never finished, but every decision is a step towards something better, Lehtinen states.
A dynamic and developing hub that has nothing to be ashamed of
Lehtinen compares Tiedepuisto to other significant technology centers in Finland and says that Turku has no reason to downplay its own position.
– When looking at the actors in Tiedepuisto and the impact of Tiedepuisto, we have nothing to be ashamed of compared to others. We are a dynamic and developing hub with a clear vision for the future.
Tiedepuisto is not just a physical place, but a platform that enables growth and success.
– We have all the prerequisites to make Tiedepuisto one of the most significant competence clusters in Europe. Now it is about building it in the right way and on the right schedule, Lehtinen summarizes.
