Closing Notes from Chairman Marcus Horning

Dear friends and colleagues across the Nordic region,

 

A shared journey comes to an end

Everything has a beginning and an end. The same is true of Nordic City Network, which for over 20 years has contributed to deeper collaboration, shared knowledge, and lasting relationships across our cities. Guided by the belief that our shared built environment is the glue that binds us together as societies—and that it shapes the conditions for a good and sustainable life—we have, over the years, explored many dimensions of urban development. What a journey it has been, one that ended in the best possible way with the warm and generous hosting in Linköping in the autumn of 2025.

 

Vision, curiosity, and leadership

Thanks to the dedication and foresight of our founder Per Rissom, together with Mats Olsson, City Planning Director of Malmö, and their ability to anticipate what lies ahead, we have year after year deepened our understanding of how cities evolve. Their curiosity and their ability to translate trends and tendencies into concrete action for us as members have helped make our cities better and more sustainable. Early on, they recognized that we face many shared challenges, and that the Nordic welfare model is unique—reflected in how we plan, design, and shape our cities.

 

Collaboration as a guiding principle

Collaboration has been a guiding principle throughout the years: collaboration between cities, between politicians, public officials, citizens, academia, and the private sector. Cities are filled with life and meaning by their inhabitants and by everyone who takes initiative to bring intensity, activity, and care into urban spaces. The collective movement of urban development—especially in the Nordic countries—is built on cooperation across diverse interests and perspectives.

 

The “Golden Zone” of collective intelligence

Within the network, we often spoke of the “Golden Zone,” where politicians, public officials, and citizens meet and make use of the collective intelligence that emerges there. It is this intelligence we draw upon to create meeting places and spaces where both people and nature can thrive—from top-down to bottom-up.

 

A network shaped by its members

Many have contributed to the development of the network over the years. You all know who you are. Thank you. A network derives its meaning from its members and from the commitment you have all shown—not only to Nordic City Network, but also to the development of your own cities, striving for a more dynamic, vibrant, and sustainable future.

But, as mentioned, everything has an end. We are now closing the chapter of Nordic City Network and looking ahead to new forms of collaboration. Collaboration is needed more than ever.

Thank you for everything.

 

Best regards,
Marcus Horning
Chairman
Nordic City Network