Kalle Vaismaa, Industry Professor of infrastructure digitalization, Tampere University

Tell us briefly about your research topics and international work

My goal is to bring about a surge in infrastructure digitally and in terms of productivity. I have just started an extensive, three-year research programme named ProDigial in connection with this. It is publicly funded and has been ordered by ten Finnish cities including Tampere, in conjunction with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. The subject is of great international interest. In the research programme, we will benchmark the best international practices and keep in touch with international research centres. Special focus will be on the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Estonia. My background is in transport. Before this, I completed four extensive research projects on developing sustainable urban transport. In connection to these, I have benchmarked forty European cities by interviewing experts and observing the best practices, and given presentations regarding digitalisation and sustainable urban transport at several international conferences. In addition to this, I played a small role in organising the InfraBIM Open 2020 and ICoMaaS 2019 conferences in Tampere, both held at Tampere Hall.

Based on your vast experience, what makes Tampere an especially good location for international conferences?

First of all, Tampere is a beautiful city, which is one part of its attraction. As I said, I have benchmarked forty European cities and of those, only Belgium’s Gent can compete with Tampere for homeliness. Secondly, Tampere has convenient conference facilities near the railway station, as well as quality hotels. Thirdly, Tampere is accessible by plane, although this is something that I believe requires further investment: Tampere airport should not function as just another gate of Helsinki airport). Moreover, there are plenty of interesting things happening in Tampere, especially in my own field of infrastructure construction and transport development. For instance, Hiedanranta area, tramlines and smart transport pilots ae attracting lots of interest internationally.

How would you describe Tampere as a city? What makes it special?

In addition to the above, let us take note that the people in Tampere are partcularly friendly and hospitable. International guests will always be treated well in Tampere.