Stockholm
Gustav Ceder
Stockholm
My opinion is that the physical wellbeing and responsibility of the individual are the foundations of
a productive and innovative society. Today as well as in the future one of the most important
challenges to growing cities subjected to global competition is to counteract stress. If society could
find a way to decrease the number of sick days it would save billions [Swedish Crowns?].
I suggest relaxation rooms should be established in Stockholm. These facilities should be easily
accessible for all citizens and should through a meticulously designed environment and trained
personnel effectively combat stress and boost energy levels.
The relaxation rooms should be equipped with specially designed loungers with individual TV
screens and headphones that provide relaxation programs.
Technologically advanced and healthy food that boost long-term health shall also be available there.
In 2020 Stockholm will have Ethical Guidelines that encourage corporations and individuals to feel
responsibility for the environment and for their fellow citizens. I want to encourage the view that
economic gain is nothing but a secondary goal to an improved quality of life for all inhabitants and
social groups in the city.
Government subsidizes will enable corporations to create a more sustainable future. Major roads
will be built outside or in tunnels beneath the city while houses and other buildings will be built on
stilts leaving space for parks. Private vehicles will be rare, as most people use the improved public
transport system, which is powered be renewable energy sources.
Information that gives knowledge should be accessible for everyone in society – in the same way
Metro operates today. However, by 2020 most material that is printed today will be distributed to
personal and public computer screens powered by solar energy.
In the global society of 2020, Stockholm and other cities have to ensure that immigrants do not
become second-class citizens. Meticulously customized social programs will ensure the know-how
of individual immigrants is absorbed by and integrated in the business sector. Immigrants with
different cultures will be encouraged to open restaurants and theme parks with different themes.
The city will save billions by making good use of the knowledge immigrants can provide.
International marketing will give the city a unique profile that will attract tourists.
By 2020 companies will have created “experience cities” where wellbeing and inspiration comes as
a package. People’s health and improved environmental awareness are the fields that require most
thought in today’s and tomorrow’s growing global city. These are vital factors to sustain
productivity and innovation. We have to learn how to contract stress, integrate, different cultures,
create infrastructure that is environmentally sound as well as people-friendly and facilities for daily
recreation must also be made available.
We have to focus on creating breathing holes that satisfy the needs of all people. We also have to
increase the feeling of moral responsibility of all people and encourage companies to work for an
improved quality of life.