Stockholm takes stock of sustainability

Sustainability has for a long time played a crucial role in Stockholm, which as a city has an overall commitment to environmental responsibility that continues to shape both its urban development and everyday life. Eco-friendly design, such as energy-efficient buildings and green roofs, has been integrated into the planning of the city; and when it comes to waste management, the emphasis is upon recycling and composting. Along with the focus on improving the city’s water quality and the biodiversity in its many parks and waterways, Stockholm exemplifies sustainable living through its holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

According to Staffan Lorentz, the head of the development of Stockholm Royal Seaport, the city authorities are constantly striving to identify new projects of this kind to carry out. “This particular quarter of Stockholm has been on the city council’s radar for 25 years. It’s an old brownfield site next to a harbour that has a long history – it was once even used as the king’s hunting grounds,” he points out. The city began the planning for the revitalisation project back in 2000. In 2011, the construction of the Norra 1 and Västra phases began, while the first residents were able to move into Västra in 2014.

Putting their foot on the gas

By 2030, Stockholm Royal Seaport should have added 12,000 new homes to the Swedish capital’s stock while generating 35,000 new workplaces. The former brownfield site is already transforming into a green and lively quarter of the city. The mission behind the project is outlined in its steering document, ‘The Sustainable Urban Development Programme for Stockholm Royal Seaport’, which was revised in 2021 and states that the main goal is for it to become fossil fuel-free by 2030, in line with the city’s ambition to become zero-emission and climate-positive by the year 2040. The developers of the project are obligated to adhere to strict sustainability standards, which include creating green roofs and installing solar panels. In addition to this, they also have to install an advanced waste management system utilising vacuum tubes for refuse disposal and converting organic material into biogas.

“The model that we’re employing here in Stockholm, which we have seen in other European countries, has been devised to rethink the value of industrial activity close to the city centre. Perhaps such industry could be relocated further out, allowing people to live closer to the core of the city, while encouraging cycling and walking instead of driving,” suggests Staffan Lorentz.

The development is being built within Gasverket district, where gas was produced until 2011 and which is dotted with old industrial buildings. The entire zone is now undergoing gradual redevelopment. Some industrial activity, such as the energy production in Värtaverket and the port operations, are to continue, whereas others, including the oil management activity in Loudden, are to be phased out. Gasverket is characterised by its distinctive brick architecture designed by Ferdinand Boberg around the turn of the twentieth century, but this is now being blended with contemporary buildings. The current emphasis is on achieving a sensitive conservation of the cultural heritage of the industrial development while ensuring that all the new structures have a modern architectural style.

Where there’s water, there’s life

According to the authors of the project, Stockholm Royal Seaport is to be a place where new meets old, and large connects with small. Water, which has had a key influence on how the entire area has developed, forms a highly significant element of the whole undertaking. The district is situated near the waters of Lilla Värtan, a small bay known for its scenic views and for being an important local marine ecosystem. In 2022, a new bridge, Lilla Lidingöbron, opened for both pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Five main goals have been set to ensure that Stockholm Royal Seaport is developed in a sustainable manner: accessibility and proximity, resource efficiency and reduced climate impact, participation and learning, creating a vibrant city, and allowing nature to thrive. Clearly, the presence of bodies of water plays a huge role in the urban design and layout of the whole project. Waterfront development and access to the waterways have been prioritised for recreational purposes. Water management strategies, such as rainwater harvesting, green infrastructure, and wastewater treatment, are also essential for reducing the environmental impact and addressing climate change-related issues. Undoubtedly, waterfront areas also add aesthetic value and cultural significance to the cityscape. They offer opportunities for the creation of public space, for leisure activities, and as venues for cultural events – all of which attract visitors.

To create is to learn

Stockholm Royal Seaport is a joint initiative in which great emphasis has been put on shared learning through organisational collaboration. Unified goals were established and integrated into the scheme from its initial planning stages and have had a significant impact on the entire development process. These goals have been translated into specific requirements by cross-administrative and corporate focus groups made up of urban planning experts. The requirements apply both to the developers as well as the projects themselves and are subject to monitoring and approval at each stage, from the initial concept to the management phase. The developers are required to report on their compliance through a web-based monitoring database, and the results of this are then published online, thus making the entire process more transparent and easier to monitor. Focus groups continually assess its progress and eventual outcomes.

Monitoring these goals allows for the whole process to be continuously improved, leading to the development of new and enhanced work practices, strategies and methods that should drive further innovation. Once evaluated, the results can then be applied to relevant projects across the rest of the city. Staffan Lorentz feels that the project is a source of great personal pride. “We receive many visitors from other countries who have come to see how we have addressed particularly difficult environmental challenges. This is something I’m really proud of, as we have proven to be quite successful in this regard,” he believes.

It seems, therefore, that the development is not only revitalising the cityscape of a historic quarter of the Swedish capital, but is also contributing towards global efforts towards sustainable living. Hopefully, Stockholm Royal Seaport will continue to be a testament to the city’s proactive approach towards creating thriving communities that harmonise with nature and enhance the quality of life for everyone.