The Science Park experimental lab opened on the ground floor of DataCity at the beginning of December. What is the lab about and what happens there?
– The experimental lab is a low-threshold place to participate in the development of the circular economy in the Science Park. The idea is to inspire companies and people working and studying in the area to develop operating models that help make the Turku Science Park an area that is pleasant to live and work in, summarizes Maarit Jaakola from Turku University of Applied Sciences.
The Science Park experimental lab is part of the Circular Tiedepuisto circular economy project, a joint initiative by the City of Turku and Turku University of Applied Sciences, which aims to make Turku Science Park an example area for the circular economy. However, it is not a laboratory in the traditional sense, but rather a room on the ground floor of the DataCity C-staircase.
In addition to the experimental lab, it is possible to participate in the development of the circular economy through the project's thematic groups, which are open to everyone. The group themes relate to water and nature, construction, mobility, and business development, and participants from Science Park companies are welcome.
The first concrete example of the project's activities was an experiment in deconstruction, which was carried out on a plot owned by the City of Turku in Itäharju. Similar experiments of various scales are coming to different parts of the Science Park.
– During the spring, a clothing and goods exchange point will be opened on the 2nd floor of the Joki visitor center, and opportunities for further deconstruction experiments are also being explored, explains Nea Metsänranta from the City of Turku.
