Sharing Cities: Exploring the Emerging Landscape of the Sharing Economy in Cities in Sweden

Authors:  Mccormick, K. & Leire, C.

Date Published: 2019

Why did we select this research? 

The sharing economy offers innovative solutions for sharing, renting and replacing under-utilized assets, often using digital platforms, visualization technology and ICT that informs about supply and demand. This report, written by Sharing Cities Sweden provides an overview of current existing test-beds in Sweden. These test-beds are taking the form of urban living labs that are embedded in the real environment.

Key Findings

  • There are five principal mechanisms defined in which municipalities govern the sharing economy: regulating, self-governing, providing, enabling and collaborating.

  • To develop new forms of housing and business models, it can be useful for the municipality to cooperate with all the actors who invest in the area, including the builders. 

  • It is important to realize that there can be negative impact from some sharing economy initiatives

  • Ownership of projects should not lie with one player. It is important to constantly define what the municipality can do in each collaboration. 

  • A sharing economy can provide a more vibrant and safer city 

  • It is proven to be useful in Gothenburg to include the sharing economy in city planning. 

  • It is important to promote cooperation between citizens in local actors, to encourage a discussion. 


Reference 

Mccormick, K. & Leire, C. (2019) Sharing Cities: Exploring the Emerging Landscape of the Sharing Economy in Cities. Lund University 

https://portal.research.lu.se/portal/files/62622818/Sharing_Cities_Exploring_the_emerging_landscape_of_the_sharing_economy_in_cities.pdf