Speaker Biograghy: Jose currently works as the Director of Economic Development in the City of Vantaa. He is the leader of the Business Services unit and also a member of the Executive Committee of the city. His responsibilities cover the overall economic development of Vantaa, including the Aviapolis area, which is the fastest-growing business district in Finland and situated next to Helsinki Airport. Jose has wide experience in various public-sector development and management tasks. He has also been a founder of several municipal companies and organisations, as well as a member of various steering groups and a member of the boards of directors in many municipal companies. Previously he worked as a Director of Development in the City of Lahti, Sub-Regional Director of the Lahti region, and Development Manager at Finnish local and regional authorities.


Day 1 - 20 March
Session: Airport Cities, Transport Connections & Regions

09:40 - 10:10 - Aviapolis – the economic engine at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport
Synopsis: The Aviapolis area was for a long time an underdeveloped area concentrating on logistics, large-scale warehouses and more or less under-utilised possibilities of housing and trade. But in the mid-1990s a change in mindset occurred. After that, this former noisy backyard – which was more or less kept as a source of growth limitation for the city – turned into a source of new activity, growth and prosperity. Today that mindset is increasingly feeding itself.

Audience will learn:

• Airport-city concept of Aviapolis area close to Helsinki Airport
• Local economic growth engine phenomena
• How to combine housing and economic growth in the same area
• The importance of place-branding
• Co-design and commitment of several stakeholders