CREATING A KNOWLEDGE-BASED CITY: A SPATIAL EXAMINATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI'S MAIN LIBRARY

Abstract

Knowledge-based urban development (KBUD) may be defined by the economy, the environment, change in social conditions and urban lifestyles, and the development of governance. My paper incorporates three spatial dimensions into this fourfold framework. First, there is the regional context of the city of Helsinki as a KBUD node in Finland, and, similarly, the role of the University of Helsinki as a resource for producing highly educated individuals for the needs of a knowledge-economy. Second, this is the new main library for the University of Helsinki, and as such it is a localized project renovating and creating physical spaces and architectures that is designed for knowledge distribution and dissemination across all mediums. Third, urban image creation has significance as the library is part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 program promoting the international image of Helsinki as a knowledge-based (design) city. Conceptually libraries are experiencing extensive change as they transform from the task of exchanging and warehousing physical books and journals towards becoming fully interactive electronic information service centers. The integration of spatial characteristics into a KBUD framework brings forth theoretical openings for education, social conditions, and urban imaginary.