Six innovative proposals for sustainable community development in Norrbotten and Västerbotten

Tens of thousands of green plants cleaning up an industrial area in Skellefteå, 550 derelict houses brought back to life in Boden, and a sparkling city square made of snow and ice in Luleå. These are some of the proposals that six interdisciplinary teams are now presenting in Visions in the North step 2.

To meet the need for housing and attractive living environments, the teams are developing new methods for community development in Norrbotten and Västerbotten. The work is part of the innovation project Visions in the North step 2, initiated by the Council for Sustainable Cities.

Together with the municipalities of Boden, Gällivare, Kiruna, Luleå, Skellefteå and Umeå, six interdisciplinary teams have been exploring specific locations and challenges to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable society. The practice-oriented research method used in Visions in the North is about expanding traditional working methods for urban development and inviting architects and designers into the process at an early stage, to support the municipalities’ work with new perspectives. The long-term goal is to create attractive living environments and make better use of existing resources.

Behind the project is the Council for Sustainable Cities, the government’s initiative for sustainable urban development, together with the municipalities. The work is funded by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency and is led by ArkDes. The project group also includes the National Board of Housing, Building and Planning.