Creative internationalism

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter on creative internationalism asks what kind of methods and channels Nordic towns and cities have used to search the latest know-how and best practices when building infrastructure at the turn of the 20th century and after Finland’s independence. Public authorities of the cities, such as Stockholm and Helsinki, had several challenges pertaining to how to build infrastructure, transport, and communication; how to choose between different sorts of energy, that is, gas or electricity; how to purify water; and what kinds of schools and cultural services cities had to provide. The system of following-up and diffusing of innovations can be seen as a learning process. The reserve of know-how in a unit can grow either with accumulation of experience and learning from the inside (learning by doing) or by active acquisition of knowledge and know-how, exploitation, and imitation of the experiences of others (learning by using). Municipal authorities applied what they had learnt, but direct imitation of the solutions used elsewhere was rare. New innovations should be adapted to the Finnish and Nordic circumstances.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationUrban Life in Nordic Countries
EditorsHeiko Droste
PublisherRoutledge
Pages304-321
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781003801184, 9781003346456
ISBN (Print)9781032387215
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Publication typeA3 Book chapter

Publication series

NameRoutledge Advances in Urban History

Publication forum classification

  • Publication forum level 3

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Arts and Humanities

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