The high-tech and sustainable Linköping

Linköping is one of Sweden’s fastest-growing municipalities, home to about 160,000 inhabitants and is in many ways a major center in the region. Linköping boasts a high technology and new-thinking university, with over 27,000 students including its Campus Norrköping. Founded in 1969, the university is known for its interdisciplinary principles and its creative approach to education and research. Linköping aspires to be a sustainable city and commits to implement the Goals and the 2030 Agenda. The municipality has undertaken a number of big investments in order to secure sustainable development. The region has an extensive and efficient waste management system and has become an international role model for its largely zero-waste cycle. Linköping is home to Sweden’s largest biogas facility, converting organic waste from the food industry and households into biogas and biofertiliser. The biogas production fuels public transport in Linköping and biofertiliser in agriculture. Recycling stations for used household goods is the latest addition in striving for a circular and resource-effective society. Citizens in Linköping are encouraged to contribute to a sustainable environment and there are numerous second-hand shops and flea markets in Linköping. The region´s fertile farmland also provides local and organic food, sometimes sold at farmers´ markets in the area. The Linköping municipality encourages eco-friendly travelling, especially bicycling. The municipality has invested in bicycle paths, a special bicycle map, and most recently, an electric bicycle rental system called LinBike. Rental and payment of the bicycles go through the LinBike app and gives access to 200 bicycle in 20 different spots around Linköping. Yet another big investment in the climate has been undertaken. The construction of Sweden’s largest solar park has started and will open in summer 2020. Located on the E4 highway next to the Gärstad plant in Linköping, as much electricity as 2 300 households consume on a yearly basis will be produced. Welcome to visit innovative and sustainable Linköping!

Linköping is also known as the aviation capital of Sweden. This is the only place in the country where aircraft are manufactured, and one-third of the city’s business sector has ties to aviation. Linköping is also home to world-leading research in many fields, some of them related to aviation. Other strong areas in Linköping are IT and green cities / environmental technology with Science Park Mjärdevi and Vreta Kluster.

Originally a medieval city, Linköping has always been an administrative center for the region. Parts of the medieval street network have been preserved around the central square, or Stora Torget: Tanneforsgatan, S:t Korsgatan and Ågatan Streets. The city evolved as the bishop’s seat, growing outward from the cathedral down towards St. Lars Church. Both churches were built in the early 12th century, but were later replaced with larger buildings. The Franciscan monastery was founded in 1287, and Linköping probably received its city charter at about the same time. King Magnus III and Bishop Bengt Birgersson, two sons of famed statesman Birger Jarl, who helped to unify Sweden, are said to have founded the city. Since the Middle Ages, Linköping has had a cathedral school next to the cathedral, and the city got its first upper-secondary school way back in 1627.

In 1598, King Sigismund was defeated by Duke Karl at the Battle of Stångebro. Several of the defeated king’s counselors were imprisoned at Linköping Castle for treason, and were beheaded on the central square in 1600, an act that came to be called the Linköping bloodbath.