MA+ - Metropolitan Areas+. Network of Regional Systems of metropolises in the Baltic Sea Region - Strenghtening of Competitiveness by Sustainable Development Development of Functional Metropolitan Areas

Baltic Sea region strives for a top position in the European ranking for growth and competitiveness. Six metropolitan areas of Oslo, Warsaw, St.Petersburg, Vilnius, Stockholm and Berlin and their surrounding regions worked together on perspectives for polycentric development and promotion of a sustainable balance of interests, functions and resources in the entire metropolitan region.

MA+ concentrated mainly on two areas: polycentric land use & transportation policy and the development and marketing of polycentric regions.

In order to attract more businesses, inhabitants and visitors to peripheral, but concentrated towns and suburban areas like Neuruppin (Brandenburg), Eastern Norway counties, Sundbyberg and Huddinge (Stockholm county), Bielany and Bialoleka districts of Warsaw, as well as Kudrovo (Leningrad Oblast) case studies on improvements of connectivity via public transport and ring roads were done. For example, Warsaw developed methodology for public transport planning and Neuruppin analysed a shorter travel time via a restructed rail link to reach the city centre of Berlin. Another example is Oslo Akershus, where a polycentric structure was developed, that is based on regional train services and concentrated urban development around the stations.

MA+ findings convinced local municipalities to take further actions. For example, Stockholm and Sundbyberg plan to include the municipality of Solna (Sweden) when preparing for regeneration and new exploitation of a vast area along the municipalities' borders including transport infrastructure (railroad, light rail, regional and local roads) shopping malls, green and blue structures, environmental issues, housing and workplaces.

MA+ results of the SWOT analysis carried out for Berlin–Brandenburg were directly included into the new political vision for the Capital Region Berlin-Brandenburg and concepts for urban development. For example, the development of Berlin Südkreuz area was strongly connected to the Berlin World Soccer Games 2006 and insured investments in the railway station and neighbouring areas.

Other results are joint local business associations formed by Stockholms, Huddinge community, including IKEA, Heron City, CentrumKompaniet and other real estate owners that will further work on developing the local market places.

These are just some examples demonstrating how metropolitan regions worked together with public and private partners to develop common solutions in order to strengthen the metropolitan area in the BSR.

Project MA+ is one more example of co-operation and interdependence with other INTERREG projects, especially with Baltic Palette II, MECIBS and Baltic Sea Rail.