The decision to build the European Spallation Source (ESS) and the synchrotron MAX IV Laboratory in Lund has made the Öresund region highly visible on the European science map. The operations of the two facilities ESS and the MAX IV Laboratory will bring even more attention and attractiveness to the region. Lund University, City of Lund and Region Skåne therefore, together have formed Science Village Scandinavia AB with the intention to orchestrate and develop the area between ESS and the MAX IV Laboratory into a world-class science village. The vision is to develop Science Village Scandinavia, into an infrastructure supporting the new facilities ESS and MAX IV. Together they shall form an exciting and creative world-class research and innovation village, as well as an international area for sustainable urban development. Science Village Scandinavia will consist of buildings aimed at research facilities, research institutes, research institutes for Lund University and other universities, companies related to innovation and research, a Science Centre and Business Centre, premises for laboratories, administration, service and accommodation. There will also be service functions such as restaurants, cafes, shops, gyms and other spaces for recreation and culture, and furthermore a variety of various creative venues. Science Village Scandinavia will become an ecological and environmental-friendly neighborhood offering world leading sustainability solutions. It will also serve as a role model and a source of inspiration through its connection to science, technology and innovation. The vision and goal is a city district with focus on science, renewable energy, public transports and recycling as well as a stimulating green urban environment providing every day inspiring venues.

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a multi-disciplinary research Centre based on the world’s most powerful neutron source. This new facility will be around 30 times brighter than today’s leading facilities, enabling new opportunities for researchers in the fields of life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. The European Spallation Source is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The facility design and construction includes a linear proton accelerator, a heavy-metal target station, a large array of state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development center. The ESS research programme is being planned now. Scientists and engineers from more than 60 partner laboratories are working on updating and optimizing the advanced technical design of the ESS facility and at the same time are exploring and imagining how it will be used. On 1 July 2010 a joint national organization was set up under the name MAX IV Laboratory. This organization encompasses two facilities: the planned MAX IV and the existing MAX-lab. The MAX IV Laboratory opened its doors to users in 1987 (then under the name MAX-lab). Today the laboratory consists of three so-called storage rings, MAX I, II and III, which are in use. Meanwhile, the next generation facility, MAX IV, is under construction, building on new technology and scientific theories developed at MAX-lab over the decades. MAX IV will be the most modern synchrotron radiation facility in the world, enabling the investigation of molecular structures and surfaces in more detail than ever previously possible. This will provide opportunities for new discoveries and new knowledge within many areas of research, such as materials science, medicine and environmental research. The new facility will be inaugurated on 21 June 2016, brightest day of the year for the world?s brightest light source.

Än så länge härskar friden och blommande lupiner på Science Village-området. Sydsvenskan rapporterar om innebörden av programförslaget gällande Science Village Scandinavia. Läs mer här om den framtida forskarbyn som kommer att knyta ihop ESS och MAX IV-Laboratoriet.