Joensuu is a university town and growing regional centre with 76,000 inhabitants. One-third of Joensuu’s population is less than 30 years old and every fifth citizen is a student. The core areas of expertise are forest bioeconomy, education and pedagogic knowledge, photonics and ICT. Joensuu wants be a platform and a collaborator for smart and sustainable city development, it aims to be carbon neutral by 2025. An important part of the Joensuu investment program is an innovative urban development plan labelled the Symmetric City. Built on principles of sustainability and totalling 1,2 billion Euros in value, the plan expands Joensuu´s urban downtown area to utilize both banks of the river flowing through the city. The plan mixes homes and businesses and spares the riversides for urban dwellings.