The Symbio City concept aims to integrate waste disposal, transport needs, and energy efficiency into the planning process. The concept is already introduced with great success in many places, for example in cities in China and Canada.

Most of the invited guests at the Seminar were politicians and decision-makers in the public sector, but also students from the University of Technology, architects and media representatives. Both SKAI TV and the national television ERT televised extensive  reports on Sweden and Swedish environmental solutions.

The well-known TV-journalist Katerina Christofilidou acted as moderator and her excellent guidance led to several both interesting and heated discussions about the environmental challenges in Greece.

The City of Athens, represented by administration manager for tourism and ecologic development, Mr Arkoumanes, presented the city’s ambitious environment program but underlined that the community of Athens could not solve the environmental problems by itself. Cooperation between the various communities surrounding Athens were needed, and also support from the central political level.

Anders Hallersjö, Swedish Trade Council,  presented  Symbio City and gave some inspiring examples on how you can integrate the planning work and what you need to reach a good outcome. Among other things he highlighted the importance of political will and the boldness and staying power needed to implement the solutions.

Erik Freudenthal presented the Hammarby Sjöstad project, which showed in a more concrete and specific way the results of  applying Symbio city in practise. The concept is complemented with car rental facilities, ferry transportation for free and a new built tram-system.

Anders Rubin from the city of Malmö, informed the audience on how the city of Malmö worked to get the citizens to engage and participate in the environmental work together with the big investors. To inspire the citizens there are several “show off´s” in the city, for example the members of the local government all drive biogas cars, in order to serve as a good example for others.

Gunnar Söderholm, Stockholm Environment and Health administration, presented the background to Stockholm being awarded “European Green Capital 2010”. Thanks to the well integrated administration system that guarantees consideration of the environment both in terms of budget and design. The city of Stockholm has reduced the carbon dioxide emissions with 25% since 1990 and the goal is to become totally free from fossil fuels in 2050.

Nikolaos Totonidis, mayor of Argos Orestiko in Macedonia, presented an interesting recycling– and waste-sorting system that is used in the community since a few years. Argos Orestiko is a pioneer in the recycling work and is continuing to develop other sustainable environment solutions in the community.

This event was a part of the Swedish Presidency program and the last event during the Design S - exhibition period. Next event will be held in October 22 by the Swedish Trade Council and will be focused on Waste Managment.

Date and time: October 22,  8:30- 14:30

Place: Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens.