Street Moves: Härnösand

Härnösand’s town center, located on the island of Härnön, is accessible from the mainland via two bridges. Along the waterfront street Skeppsbron—historically a hub for work and social gatherings—parking spaces and a wide road dominate the space.

Before Street Moves, the municipality had already conducted broad public dialogues and tested temporary play and seating installations in several city spaces. Through Street Moves, the aim was to explore the potential of temporary prototypes and inclusive design processes to inspire and guide larger, long-term planning efforts. The section of Skeppsbron examined stretched between Sam’s outdoor café and the dock for the tour boat Ådalen III. The project sought to create a safer, more inviting street for social interactions, improve accessibility for seniors and children, reduce car presence and speeds, and empower citizens to participate in the development process.

The design process was led by the multidisciplinary design agency Office of Possibilities ↗. It began with two open workshops where over 100 local residents shared ideas for the future use and appearance of Skeppsbron. The design team then collaborated with local producers and stakeholders to activate the town’s underutilized spaces and turn them into vibrant public areas.

On June 14, 2023, Street Moves was inaugurated at Skeppsbron in Härnösand. The street’s car lanes were narrowed to make room for seating areas, greenery, bike parking, and seaside hangouts. The municipality’s carpentry workshop crafted the furniture using reclaimed timber donated by Höga Kusten Sjöentreprenad, SCA, and a landowner in Sjöviken.