Find Swedish best practice

Vallastaden is an unusual city district whose new model for planning and building has led to an urban environment centred around the residents. With its strong focus on social, ecological and economic sustainability, Vallastaden is an inspiring example for future urban development.

The BiodiverCity project in Malmö demonstrates the benefits of green roofs and other green areas in urban environments. Not only do they promote wellbeing, but they also help increase biodiversity and other important ecosystem services.

The Augustenborg district in Malmö was ambitiously rebuilt to manage flooding problems and socioeconomic challenges. As a result of solutions based on ecosystem services, the area is now an attractive neighbourhood and an example of a successful sustainable makeover of an urban district.

The municipality of Växjö is a prime example of Swedish timber construction, with at least 50% of new buildings being built from wood as of 2020. Visit Växjö to see how and why wood is the way to increased sustainability.

The Fossil-Free Energy District (FED) in Johanneberg Science Park in Gothenburg is a unique project that demonstrates how to create a local digital marketplace for electricity, heating and cooling and help reduce the use of fossil energy.

What will future, sustainable housing look like? HSB Living Lab is a research and demonstration arena, consisting of real homes for students and guest researchers. This exciting project innovates on site, enhancing the sustainability and quality of present and future homes and buildings.

The Älvrummet exhibition is a public space created by the city of Gothenburg to provide residents and other stakeholders with a comprehensive picture of the plans and progress of Älvstaden, one of the largest urban development projects in Scandinavia.

Sustainable Ålidhem in Umeå is a unique urban development project, encompassing the social, technical, environmental and economic aspects of sustainability. The objective of the project is to reduce energy usage, create a safer and more comfortable environment and transform Ålidhem into a sustainable neighbourhood.

Green Zone is a unique pioneering project, proving that it’s possible to create an almost waste-free environment even when building and operating services like a car wash and petrol station. The synergy-based solutions for air, light, energy and water make Green Zone a centre for learning about circular sustainability.

Kvillebäcken is the first urban district in Gothenburg built to new, more stringent environmental requirements, with the aim of creating a residential district that makes a low-carbon lifestyle easy.

The Älvsbacka Bridge in Skellefteå is one of many pedestrian bridges constructed by Martinsons since the late 1980s and an innovative example of wood construction. It takes advantage of the environmental and other benefits from greater use of wood in building projects.

Gårdsten in Gothenburg shows how innovation, persistence, commitment, cooperation and participation can turn things around in a troubled urban district. Since Gårdstensbostäder was founded in 1997, crime has halved and 1,500 new homes with various forms of tenure are being built.