Dunedin - a bio- and ecological city.

Dunedin, a coastal city with distinctive Victorian architecture and vibrant energy, is transforming into the "innovation capital" of southern New Zealand. Biotechnology and biodiversity conservation are considered the city's groundbreaking pillars.

Dunedin is a modern city that harmoniously blends technology and nature.

Biomedical and healthcare – pillars of promising innovation.

Located on the coast and dubbed the "student capital" thanks to the University of Otago, New Zealand's oldest university, Dunedin is not only a center of knowledge but also a breeding ground for innovative biomedical projects. The biomedical startup ecosystem at the University of Otago is playing a crucial role in transferring academic knowledge to the market. At the University of Otago, the Centre for Innovation has supported three biomedical startups in raising a total of US$4 million in funding by 2024, including Upstream Medical Technologies, which successfully developed a point-of-care test to diagnose myocardial infarction from very small blood samples. A project harnessing the bioluminescence of New Zealand fireflies, led by Professor Kurt Krause, promises to create new biosensors that can monitor cancer cells in real time...

In addition, Blis Technologies, a biopharmaceutical company based in Dunedin, has launched beneficial bacteria to improve oral health, achieving sales of over NZ$5 million in the last financial year. BioTechNZ Director Blair Harrison emphasized: “Dunedin has enormous potential in biotechnology and needs to strengthen connections between universities, businesses, and investors to bring products to the global market.”

Recently, Dunedin has also become a focal point of regional attention regarding healthcare, with the relaunch of the NZD 1.3 billion (over VND 20 trillion) inpatient building project at Dunedin Hospital, scheduled for mid-2025 after a two-year hiatus. According to Health New Zealand (TEW) ORA, the project will serve the diagnosis and treatment of over 350,000 residents of southern Dunedin. This project is seen as proof of the government 's commitment to the people of Dunedin regarding the development of high-tech healthcare.

Towards a green future and biodiversity conservation.

Beyond its focus on economic development, Dunedin has also achieved significant success in biodiversity conservation. Previously, Dunedin suffered serious damage from invasive species, particularly possums, black rats, and European ferrets. Possums were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century for the fur industry, but quickly proliferated and devastated the native ecosystem. In the Dunedin area, possum densities once reached 3 individuals per hectare in suburban forests and remain prevalent in residential areas. Black rats also had a major impact by destroying plant seeds and seabird eggs, degrading coastal and islet biodiversity. These impacts led the city to launch programs such as Predator Free Dunedin to restore and protect the local ecosystem. By the end of 2024, the Predator Free Dunedin program had eliminated more than 110,000 rats and marsupials, nearing its goal of "zero invasive species" by 2050. Project leader Simone Taylor shared: "Every royal albatross or native seabird that returns is a huge reward."

Located just 20km from the city center, the Orokonui Ecosanctuary spans 307 hectares of cloud forest, enclosed by a 9km-long predator-proof fence. Operated by the Otago Natural History Foundation, it is home to a variety of rare endemic species, including the Southern Kaka parrot, the Ta-kahe bird, and the Haast tokoeka kiwi bird. Native reptiles such as the tuatara and the multicolored rock lizard are also recovering thanks to the restored habitat. According to manager Clare Cross, the area is witnessing the return of previously extinct species, demonstrating that nature can recover when properly protected.

On the Otago Peninsula, OPERA Reserve, formerly known as Penguin Place, is a center for the rehabilitation of over 250 yellow-eyed penguins each year – one of the world's rarest seabirds. Since two new owners took over the reserve in 2023, they have expanded the mission with the goal of replanting native forests on former farmland, monitoring seal and sea lion populations, and implementing a 100-year ecosystem restoration plan. All tourism revenue is reinvested in conservation efforts.

Along with biodiversity conservation, Dunedin is also striving for a green future. Dunedin's Zero Carbon program, committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, has completed energy upgrades for 17 public buildings with solar panel systems. According to the City Council report, the goal of reducing internal emissions by 30% by the end of 2026 is being accelerated thanks to 250km of dedicated bicycle lanes and 3,400 new trees planted in the urban area.

The strong connections between government, academia, businesses, and the community have created a resilient ecosystem, paving the way for projects with an impact that extends beyond New Zealand's borders. From high-tech hospitals to biotech startups, from campaigns to eradicate exotic animals to sustainable urban strategies, Dunedin is painting a portrait of a modern city that harmoniously blends culture, technology, and nature.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dunedin-thanh-pho-sinh-hoc-va-sinh-thai-709451.html