As part of Stockholm’s ambitious plan to redevelop the southern inner city, the Meatpacking District (Slakthusområdet) is set to become a vibrant and attractive destination to live, work, and enjoy. The City’s pioneering fossil-free contracting initiative aims to promote more sustainable construction practices and significantly reduce the development’s environmental impact.
With pressing challenges demanding Stockholm’s sustainable growth, the City of Stockholm is revitalizing the Meatpacking District to create a new, dynamic urban space. Once completed in 2035, the district will offer approximately 3,000 new homes and 14,000 workplaces, as well as businesses, schools, and public spaces that will attract families, students, and visitors from across the city.
Towards a Green and Livable District
The redevelopment aims to create an area that promotes walking, cycling, and outdoor activities. New parks and squares will offer welcoming places for people to meet and relax. To support sustainable mobility, the district will prioritize pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, while new public transport options, including a new metro station and bus lines, will improve connectivity. Several streets will be car-free or feature reduced car traffic, contributing to lower emissions and creating safer, more pleasant environments for those on foot or bike.
The area will also include new green spaces that provide climate adaptation benefits. For example, one of the largest green areas planned in the district, Södra Parken, will be designed to manage heavy rainfall and promote biodiversity. Smaller pocket parks, green roofs, green facades, and other natural elements will further add to the greener landscape.
A Pilot Project for Sustainable Construction
In collaboration with Skanska and Volvo Construction Equipment, the City of Stockholm is implementing a pioneering “fossil-free contracting” initiative at the Meatpacking District. The pilot project aims to increase the use of electrically powered machinery and equipment on-site, reducing the project’s carbon footprint. The goal is to cut more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions produced by 35 trucks operating for eight hours a day over an entire year. This effort aligns with the City of Stockholm’s goal of becoming climate-positive by 2030 and fossil-free by 2040.
This innovative approach has already earned recognition, with the project receiving the “Award for Sustainable Infrastructure” from the Sweden Green Building Council in November 2024.
Renovation of Buildings Honors its Industrial Legacy
The historic buildings of the Meatpacking District tell the story of its past in the meat and food industry, playing a key role in its unique charm and identity. As part of the redevelopment vision, these structures will be preserved and repurposed for new uses, including creative offices, exhibition spaces, and restaurants. In this sense, the district aims to become a vibrant cluster of creative industries, with spaces for music venues, cultural initiatives, and a growing culinary scene, as more restaurants and food businesses join the area.
A Larger Vision for Southern Stockholm
The redevelopment of the Meatpacking District is part of a broader urban transformation of southern Stockholm (Söderstaden). Together with the Meatpacking District, areas like the Globe (Globenområdet) and Gullmarsplan-Nynäsvägen will offer a unique blend of activities to create a modern, vibrant southern hub in Stockholm.
Image credit: City of Stockholm.
