Opening of the meeting
Welcome by the Gdynia authorities
Opening words on actions needed for UBC cities combating common challenges by the chairmen of UBC Commission on Transportation, Environment and Energy: Mr Zygmunt Zmuda-Trzebiatowski, Co-chairmen Mr Mikko Jokinen and an initial presentation by Mr Thorsten Geißler on the theme of Climate protection following the Copenhagen Summit

The first session focused on implementing the UBC Sustainable Action Programme 2010-2015 and the EU Strategy for BSR. The first has a bottom up approach with cities much involved while the other is a top down strategy with national focus. We have to find ways to deal with both. Special resources will be set off to get member cities active working with the Action Programme and how results shall be monitored.

Implementing the UBC Sustainability Action Programme and UBC participation in the implementation of the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region by Mr Björn Grönholm, Head of Secretariat – UBC Commission on Environment

The second session presented storm water challenges and solutions. We learned about the situation in Gdansk, Pori, Turku. They have been or are affected by heavy rainfall, strong spring flooding or sea level rise that has given sever problems and they have now taken different actions to prevent problems in the future. Växjö presented their way to handle city lakes by restoration and different storm water treatments. A case on implementing climate change actions effectively in cities was presented by the Swedish organisation Climate Municipalities.

Climate Change phenomenon’s, a threat for City of Gdansk – Solutions for combating storm water in Gdansk by Ms Dagmara Nagórka-Kmiecik, Deputy Head of the Environmental Department; City of Gdansk (Poland),
Storm water measures in the City of Pori by Mr Matti Lankiniemi, Head of Environmental Protection Department, City of Pori and Stormwaters in focus in city of Turku by Mr Mikko Jokinen Head of Environmental Protection Department, City of Turku (Finland)
[[file://dms/ubc/Gdynia2010/ImplementingClimateChangeActionsEffectivelyInCities_Hakan Samuelsson.pdf|Implementing climate change actions effectively in cities – Case of Swedish Climate municipalities] by Mr Håkan Samuelsson, Chairman of the Climate Municipalities in Sweden, Environmental Strategist – City of Lund (Sweden)
Lake restoration and storm water treatment by Mr Anders Franzén, Development Manager, City of Växjö (Sweden)

The third session was about transport related issues. Gdynia presented a public transport policy towards sustainability with trolleybus system, paid parking zones and cycling initiatives. Another interesting presentation showed the cycling policy in Ghent, Holland where they had abandoned cars in wide central areas and introduced many positive action for cyclists. Umeå gave a message that harsh climate needs soft measures.

Gdynia public transport policy towards sustainability: trolleybus system, paid parking zones and cycling initiatives by Mr Marcin Wołek, Ph.D.,
Cycling Policy of Gdynia by Mr Piotr Kuropatwinski, University of Gdańsk, Department of Transportation Market and Ms Katarzyna Hebel Ph. D., Deputy Director of Public Transport Authority in Gdynia; University of Gdansk, (Poland)

Cycling policy in Ghent by Mr Tim Scheirs, Mobility Planning Department, Ghent City Council, (Belgium)
Harsh climate needs soft measures by Ms Carina Aschan, Project Manager: Sustainable Travel - Region of Umeå, (Sweden)

Carbon Aware Travel Choice – the CATCH project by Dr Anna Clark, Project Manager, POLIS – European Cities and Regions Networking for Innovative Transport Solutions, Brussels (Belgium)

The second day started with energy related issues. This brought up smart grids for a sustainable future and a new technology transfer system for the Innovative Baltic Sea Region.

The Innovative Baltic Sea Region & Technology transfer system by Ms Sofia Ronström, TT Center Kalmar Science Park (Sweden)

Smart Grids for a sustainable future by Mr Stefan Windh, Co-chairman UBC Commission on Energy (Sweden)

Welcome by Mr Paweł Żaboklicki, Secretary General of the Union of the Baltic Cities

UBC Climate Change projects

The final session on the second day was held at the UBC office in Gdansk where Secretary General gave some common information about UBC and reflections about the Board meetings decision on Flagship topics in the EU Strategy for BSR. This issue rendered a special discussion about what role UBC and its member cities shall have to get involved in the Strategy work and if the board decision gives any restrictions. The conclusion was that this issue must be on the boards’ next meeting and that representatives from involved commissions can be present to clarify its opinion.