Advancing Carbon Neutrality and Positive Energy Districts in Urban Development

On February 12, 2025, RESPONSE was proudly represented at Business Arena Finland, under the Urban Development Stage. Helmi Andersson, Project Coordinator for the City of Turku, took the stage to discuss carbon neutrality and positive energy districts, highlighting Turku’s efforts to become a climate-positive city.

Turku’s Path to Carbon Neutrality

The city of Turku is committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2029 and a leading climate and nature city by 2030. A key initiative in this transition is the development of a Positive Energy District (PED)—an urban area that generates more renewable energy than it consumes annually, contributing its surplus energy to the surrounding city.

Innovation at Turku Student Village PED

In collaboration with companies and research institutions, Turku is developing the Turku Student Village PED, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program. The district integrates cutting-edge solutions, such as phase change thermal storage, smart control systems, and efficient heat pump technology, to drive energy efficiency and sustainability.

An Interactive Platform for Urban Development Discussions

Business Arena Finland provided an engaging format where participants could interact with speakers and industry experts. The discussions delved into the impact of demographics on real estate, the city of Tampere’s growth strategies, and trends in the hotel market.

With Jon Forssell as host, RESPONSE’s participation underscored the importance of collaborative innovation in achieving sustainable urban energy solutions.

Find out more about the event: Business Arena Finland 2025.