The Öresund region, as a whole, share issues with regards to complex building constructions, i.e. buildings and constructions that are complicated from an evacuation point of view, that has become increasingly common in the region. The Metro in Copenhagen, the City tunnel in Malmö, Turning Torso in Malmö and a planned LM-project in Copenhagen are a few examples of complex constructions of this sort. Existing knowledge on evacuation in complex building constructions is not complete, which is a contributing factor in creating insecurity at the initial stage for this kind of constructions. Researchers, business and authorities in the region, all agree that knowledge about evacuation for children and people with disabilities and evacuation from complex building constructions, is fragmented. This project could contribute in producing research based material that can be implemented in future construction processes.

In accordance with this above scenario, the project partners consider it to be essential to bring forth a basis to determine which evacuation strategies that are most efficient, and therefore should be applied in the Öresund region. Specifically strategies with regards to tunnel constructions and sky scrapers. Furthermore, the project also aim to consider children’s and people with disabilities’ needs and behaviour in times of evacuation, since this tends to be a forgotten target group. University of Lund is internationally top ranked in terms of research on evacuation within complex constructions, which will blend very well with Technical University of Denmark’s special competence within evacuation in mixed populations.

The aim is to create an institutional framework for research groups within fire evacuation, and to build a knowledge center where researcher can work together on tests. The project will involve Danish and Swedish authorities and businesses in the building industry across the strait, to ensure a well founded structure. Research within this field has of yet not been done in a cross border partnership. Neither has there been an triple-helix initiative on this subject joining research, business and authorities across Öresund.

Long term this project will lead to a cross border evacuation strategy, applicable and equally relevant in Denmark and Sweden. The project also hopes this will contribute to a harmonised practice for fire resistance and dimensioning across the Öresund, when creating plans for new constructions. All in all this would then imply public enabling for the construction companies in Öresund, to work for increased safety for the regional population.

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