MALMO
Political Location / Administrative Function:
Malmö is major city in the Skane region, it is a site of several administrative representative offices and political bodies. Mayor of Malmö is the Head of the Union of municipalities in Skane region.
Historical Development:
Malmö, in the southernmost province of Skåne, is the country´s third largest city with a metropolitan population of about 498,000. It has more parks, gardens and restaurants per capita than any other city in Sweden. Malmö also features many attractions dating back to the Middle Ages. Throughout Skåne there are more than 200 castles and manor houses.
The history of Malmö begins some time around the year of 1275, but in those days it went under the name of Malmhauger. It was the good fishing that atracted peoplehere, and for many hundreds of years the locals exported salt herring from here. For long periods of time the city was ruled by Denmark and the German Hansa, but in 1658 it finally became Swedish. Right now Malmö and the Öresund region is more topical than ever since the Öresund Link between Malmö and Copenhagen that will be ready in the year of 2000 is under construction. This will make Malmö an important centre for Sweden´s contacts with the continent and, with that, the world.
Malmö Stortorg was Scandinavias largest square with market trading during the 16th century, and even today it gives a magnificent impression with its statue of king Karl X Gustaf, the townhall, the residence, hotel Kramer in French chateau style, the pharmacy Lejonet and Jörgen Kocks house from the same time. Right behind the Stortorget is the small square, where the market-hall once where. Today this is a great place to visit when hungry, since there are plenty of restaurants and pubs here. This is also the place where one finds the Form Design Center, that exhibits Swedish industrial design and handicraft.
On the whole Malmö is interesting when it comes to architecture. In the culture quarters of S:t Gertrud one finds the oldest half-timbered house in Malmö, "Thottska huset" built in 1558, and many other historically interesting buildings. The S:t Petri church from the 13th century in Baltic Gothic style has a retable that is one of the largest ones in Europe.
Economical System
Economical Structure:
Malmö is undergoing a transition from being an industrial city to a city of knowledge. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology and training programmes of high calibre. The City of Malmö is enhancing an attractive business environment and a dynamic business community in Malmö.
Firms predominant Types:
The strongest sectors in Malmö are logistics, retail and wholesale trade, construction, and property. There are also a number of well-known companies within biotechnology and medical technology, environmental technology, IT, and digital media fields.
Transport System:
No. of cars 95 389
No. of cars per 1 000 inhabitants 363
The Oresund fixed link 2002
No. of vehicles 3 414 366
No of passengers
by car 8 877 352
by train 5 369 776
total 14 247 128
Economical Trend:
Rather downwards (reasons: lower tax income, structural problems, increased amount of immigrant groups)
Unemployment:
6,0% (2002)
Job Opportunities:
Employment rate in age 20-64(2000)
Men: 65%
Women 62%
Major emloyers:
City of Malmö: 19 300
Region Skane 8 750
Skanska Bygg AB 2 500
Posten Sverige AB 2 300
Statens Järnvägar 1 350
Rikspolisstyrelsen 1 150
Telia AB 1 000
Malmö Högskola 950
Pägen AB 850
Typical Product:
Information society products and services
Building companies
Bakery
Informal economic Activities:
Small local business
Estate Market:
Shortage of housing (for normal income)
1000 flats to be built yearly to saturate the demand
Prices for rents and ownership are dynamically rising (during last 3-4 years) |
