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 new urban district of Kvillebäcken was the first phase of the plan to link Backaplan closer to the inner city of Gothenburg. The goal has been to create a thriving, green and attractive district that makes it easy to live a low-carbon lifestyle.

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. Ålidhem is a district of the city of Umeå, and Sustainable Ålidhem is an ambitious, wide-ranging project for sustainable urban development. Its main goal is to halve energy usage in the area.

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. Älvrummet (‘the River Room’) is an exhibition dedicated to the radical transformation of the embankments on both sides of Göta älv, the river running through Gothenburg. The purpose of Älvrummet is to showcase the long-term process of creating Älvstaden (‘the River City)’, one of the largest urban development projects in the Nordic region.

Derelict industrial premises from the era of shipyards have been transformed into an exciting mix of modern housing and renovated dockside buildings.

The reconstruction of Eriksberg was made with the environment in focus. One interesting feature is the underground waste collection system. Eriksberg is one of the first areas in the world using several fractions. It was started already in 1993 and is still expanding. When Eriksberg is complete the automated waste collections system will handle waste (food-, paper- and residual waste) for over 5000 apartments.

Lindholmen Science Park is a world-leading research and development centre with a focus on mobile data communication, intelligent vehicles and transport systems and modern media.

This 100 year-old harbour was primarily used for handling coal and coke. Its curved wharfs have been renovated and supplemented with low wooden jetties.

Inland from the wharfs, there are housing complexes built around green yards. Attractive outdoor areas, seats in sunny locations and well-planned green areas make ideal places for meeting and socialising.

In 1996 the decision was taken to create an eco-city from the 1950’s housing estate and 1960’s industrial area. This provides an excellent example of a successful sustainable makeover of an urban district. The make-over focused on efficient water systems, green roofs, and solar energy. The water systems include surface rainwater runoff systems, canals, and ponds.

This “city within a city” has its own systems for managing its energy supply and waste treatment. Car traffic in the area has been minimized as an environmentally friendly approach to urban planning and mobility.