Programme Rovaniemi Network Meeting

The dinner on Sunday evening is open to everyone, participants join at their own expense.

We kindly ask that if you need to cancel your dinner reservation, please let us know in advance. If you don’t show up without notice, costs may apply since we’ve reserved a spot for you. Thank you for your understanding!

Hans Ruijter, Chairman of the NETLIPSE Network, will kick off the 37th Network Meeting with a warm welcome to all participants. His opening remarks will set the stage for the upcoming discussions and sessions.

Pau Lian Staal-Ong, Director of the NETLIPSE Network, will introduce participants to the network, its purpose, and its activities. She will provide an overview of what NETLIPSE is about, and the benefits it brings to those involved in large infrastructure projects.

Jaakko Ylinampa will begin the session with a warm welcome to participants in Lapland. He will then delve into the key challenges and opportunities that Finland faces as it upgrades its infrastructure following NATO membership. By focusing on strategic infrastructure—including roads, bridges, ports, and railways—Ylinampa will illustrate how Finland is preparing to meet both civilian and military needs, and explain how NATO’s military requirements are being incorporated into Finland’s infrastructure plans while addressing the challenges of ensuring that this infrastructure remains accessible and functional for civilian use.

Carlo Vaghi will provide an in-depth look at the dual-use upgrade of the Milano–Genova highway, focusing on the intricate process of adapting infrastructure to serve both civilian and military functions. Drawing on direct experience from managing this project in Italy, the discussion will address the specific challenges of meeting military standards while maintaining the highway’s civilian functionality.

Climate-resilient infrastructure focuses on designing and constructing projects that withstand climate change impacts like extreme weather, rising temperatures, and sea-level rise. As climate threats grow, it’s crucial to ensure that essential infrastructure—roads, bridges, airports, and energy systems—remains safe and operational.
The European Commission plays a pivotal role in supporting these efforts through funding and co-financing programs that enable climate-resilient infrastructure across Europe. By investing in transport infrastructure resilience, the Commission addresses immediate risks while enhancing the EU’s economic stability and sustainability. Co-financing promotes innovative designs, cross-sector expertise, and shared costs, making large-scale resilience projects feasible.
Massimo Corradi will discuss the challenges in building climate-resilient infrastructure, presenting insights from the Malpensa Airport Resilience project (Re-MXP cofinanced under CEF – Connecting Europe Facility ) and lessons learned to support Europe-wide infrastructure resilience against climate impacts.

John Sage will highlight how Tideway has transcended conventional infrastructure projects to build a lasting, sustainable legacy. He will share the strategic vision of reconnecting London with the River Thames and provide an overview of the project, focusing on its ambitious legacy and sustainability programme, which incorporates social value. Key examples will include the EPIC initiative, the innovation programme, and the legacies related to the river, community, and people. The presentation will also explain how legacy delivery has been measured, how it aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how it is linked to project financing. John Sage will wrap up with important lessons learned from the project.

Developing infrastructure that remains relevant and functional in the future requires a forward-thinking approach that anticipates societal changes, technological advancements, and evolving environmental conditions. Traditional infrastructure projects, often based on current needs, can become outdated by the time they are completed, especially as societal demands and technologies rapidly evolve. What strategies should be considered to ensure that projects developed today are adaptable to tomorrow’s needs?

Plenary discussion on future proof infrastructure, with Massimo Corradi, John Sage and Robin Wauters. The discussion will be moderated by Hans Ruijter.

Miia Kari will introduce what it takes to succesfully deliver infrastructure projects in Northern Finland, with its remote location and harsh climatic conditions. Terhi Honkarinta and Jukka Päkkilä will illustrate this by presenting the complexities of cross-border rail projects with Sweden. They will discuss the unique challenges posed by differing rail gauges and voltage systems on overhead power lines, which complicate the integration of rail infrastructure between the two countries.

Project managers are often strongly committed to delivering results, but this dedication can sometimes lead to burnout and unhealthy work habits, affecting both themselves and their teams. To maintain a healthy balance, it’s crucial for project managers to establish clear boundaries and learn when to say “no.” Developing soft skills is key to creating a supportive environment that promotes well-being for everyone involved. By managing their workload effectively and prioritising their teams’ mental health, project managers can help cultivate a more sustainable work culture. Marie-Claire Horden will lead an interactive workshop on this subject, offering valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance well-being in project management.

Modern infrastructure projects are multifaceted undertakings that must navigate a web of technical challenges, social dynamics, financial constraints, legal frameworks, organizational structures, and shifting timelines. Each of these dimensions adds a layer of complexity that project managers must address. This interactive session will explore which of these six dimensions—technical, social, financial, legal, organizational, or temporal—demands the most attention and effort from a project manager to navigate succesfully.

Join us for an enchanting afternoon at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, where the magic of Christmas comes alive year-round! Explore the charming village, meet Santa Claus himself, and discover the wonders of the Arctic. Enjoy festive activities such as visiting Santa’s official post office, where you can send letters from the North Pole, and experience the joy of reindeer rides!

Join NETLIPSE for an informal network dinner, offering a unique opportunity to connect with your European colleagues while savouring a delightful meal. The Network Dinner is sponsored by Väylä.

Pau Lian Staal-Ong, Director of the NETLIPSE Network, will open the final day of the network meeting and introduce the key topics for the day.

In his presentation Paul Fishwick will showcase several case studies from England, highlighting how to secure long-term value from infrastructure investments. It will explore how projects can be future-proofed and aligned with wider initiatives, such as urban regeneration, and how stations can be transformed into gateways to the city. The presentation will also discuss the importance of evolving partnerships in delivering these successful outcomes.

Join us as we review and discuss the outcomes of the recent IPAT Assessment conducted on the A44 VKE11 Highway project in Germany.

Join us as we review and discuss the outcomes of the recent IPAT Assessment conducted on the PHS Den Bosch – Vught project in The Netherlands.

Plenary Discussion on IPAT Results moderated by Pau Lian Staal-Ong.

The implementation of the ERTMS Signalling and Control system on the Dutch Railways is facing several challenges, such as budget constraints and the need for improved asset management to support the maintenance of ERTMS systems. Additionally, pilot projects are dealing with political pressures. Finland is experiencing similar challenges with its ERTMS implementation.

Maarten Kok and Juha Lehtola invite you to join them in exploring new ideas and possible solutions. In a mini pressure-cooker session, participants will collaborate and share their insights to come up with effective strategies for tackling the challenges related to ERTMS implementation.

In this session, Helle Lange will introduce the Green Mobility Model (GMM), a powerful tool for enhancing strategic planning and investment decisions in Denmark’s traffic system, especially for large infrastructure projects. Formerly known as the Landstrafikmodellen (LTM), the GMM provides project managers with critical insights into how demographic and economic trends impact transport volume, mode shifts, and geographic travel patterns across Denmark, including international and transit trips. Although GMM is designed to capture large-scale, nationwide traffic flows rather than local patterns, it offers a robust foundation for understanding broader transportation dynamics and facilitating well-informed, future-ready project planning.

Get ready for the big reveal! We will announce the host and location for the 2025 Spring Network Meeting, providing a sneak peek into what’s to come for next year.

Hans Ruijter, Chairman of NETLIPSE, will officially close the Network Meeting, reflecting on the key discussions and takeaways from the event.