The renovation of the rundown area of Vårsången in Malmö has generated many positive effects. People previously moved to Vårsången because of a lack of other options. Today, they move there because it’s an attractive district where residents want to live. This has increased property values significantly, proving that social and environmental investment is a good deal in the long run.
Vårsången is a residential area with approximately 400 apartments. In 2011, it was still a rundown area, with very high energy use and significant tenant dissatisfaction and turnover. Trianon, the real-estate company that owned the buildings, decided to renovate Vårsången and started by strengthening trust with the tenants through close contact and dialogue. The next step was improving energy efficiency with the goal of halving consumption. Another important part of the project was to create jobs for tenants. The real-estate company hired 35 area residents and13 of the company’s employees now live in the area.
Improvements at a reasonable rent
The aim of the project was to completely refurbish the apartments, but without making them more luxurious, so that rent would stay at a reasonable level. Based on the same concept, another 156 new apartments were built on a parking area that was not in use, next to the renovated Vårsången. The focus was on matching ability and willingness to pay the rents in the area. In addition, residents were hired and 10 tenants have been involved in building the new apartments.
Property value doubled
The work on the area has halved energy consumption, created 35 jobs for tenants, reduced tenant turnover and resulted in a doubling of property value. A win-win for Trianon and tenants, but also for the entire city, as well-kept, attractive areas, higher property values and employment for residents who have had difficulties finding work benefit society as a whole.
If you would like to visit Vårsången to find out more or simply to enjoy the attractive green space typical of Sweden’s ‘million programme’ for housing, please contact Smart City Sweden South.
Below, you can watch a video about the Malmö district of Vårsången.