Stockholm Royal Seaport shows the way towards a sustainable future
Stockholm Royal Seaport is a sustainability-profiled area designated by the Stockholm City Council with the task of testing and developing new solutions and processes for a more sustainable future. Former industrial land is being transformed into a green and vibrant part of Stockholm. This is where we publish progress updates on our sustainability initiatives and our various innovation projects.
Explore Stockholm Royal Seaport in two minutes
Staffan Lorentz, Head of Development, talks about Stockholm Royal Seaport to the UN Environment Program, UNEP, in May 2022. A two-minute film that gives an informative introduction to the work and the area.
How we work
Planning of the Stockholm Royal Seaport development project started in 2001. In 2009, Stockholm City Council decided that the project would be a model for sustainable urban development.
The land is managed by the City Development Administration, which also project manages development and sustainability work in close collaboration with most of the City of Stockholm’s other administrations and municipal companies. The urban development project is funded by land sales and land rights fees.
During 2011, the cross-departmental working groups with experts from related administrations and companies were established. The task of the working groups is to define the sustainability issues that needs to be addressed, define goals and translate them into requirements for developers and the City’s own activities.
The requirements are followed up and verified at all stages – from early design to operations. Developers report results in a web-based monitoring database. The reported results are reviewed and approved. The working groups continuously evaluate the work and the results. This, in combination with external auditing, results in constantly improving goals.
Working group participants are also tasked with disseminating experience within their administrations and companies and to other City of Stockholm projects. Continuous capacity building is vital to achieve the high ambitions of the Stockholm Royal Seaport project. Therefore, the development and innovation work is well integrated in the work process.
The visions and goals that were decided by Stockholm City Council in 2010 were revised in 2017 and 2021 in the Program for Sustainable Urban Development.
The Sustainability work is guided by five goals: Vibrant city, Accessibility and proximity, Resource efficiency and reduced climate impact, Let nature do the work and Participation and learning and defined through sustainability goals and planning principles. Sustainability goals and city planning principles are connected and include ecological, economic and social aspects.
In order to achieve the ambitious sustainability goals, research and development projects are ongoing. Some of the activities are projects with in the Construction and Mass Consolidation Centre, how important plus energy neighbourhoods, source-separating wastewater systems as well as citizen involvement and digitalisation. Under the heading Knowledge, there is more information about various innovation projects - ongoing and completed. There are also articles and documentation from various projects.
Stockholm Royal Seaport and Agenda 2030
The development of Stockholm Royal Seaport is primarily based on SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, but actively addresses all SDGs. For an overview and example of how Stockholm Royal Seaport contributes to the City of Stockholm achieving the global goals for sustainable development, see Agenda 2030.
Future vision for Stockholm Royal Seaport
A stroll through Stockholm Royal Seaport is a fascinating journey through the area’s history, contrasts, and characters. This is where water and harbour, the Royal National City Park, large-scale infrastructure, sites of cultural and historical interest, dwellings, and businesses come together.In this compact and multi-faceted area, the focus is on people, with nature also being an integral aspect. Stockholm Royal Seaport feels inclusive with it's safe, vibrant meeting places.
Resource-efficient, holistic solutions result in reduced climate impact, increased climate adaption, and prepares Stockholm Royal Seaport for challenges of the future. Co-operation and innovative new thinking pave the way for creative solutions and encourage wide community involvement. This is how Stockholm Royal Seaport is driving the next generation of sustainable city areas.
A place characterized by diversity and contrasts
Stockholm Royal Seaport is brimming with diversity and contrast. There is variety in its urban and natural environments with different characters and expressions, ranging from small-scale housing construction and beautiful natural surroundings to heavily developed and large-scale industrial environments for ports and energy facilities. Here, old meets new, and large meets small.
Water is a constant feature and contributes to the dynamics of the area. Port areas are planned so as to become a natural part of the city. When the city is opened up and connected, people can move more easily on foot or by bicycle within and through the area.
Building on what already exists is a necessary prerequisite for long-term sustainable urban development and at the same time the basis for creating a dynamic and attractive urban environment.
Stockholm Royal Seaports close proximity to the waters of Lilla Värtan and the Royal National City Park provides unique opportunities.
The old buildings in Hjorthagen link to Gasverket, where gas production ceased in 2011. Gasverkets old industrial buildings have considerable potential for new inspiring uses and the area is gradually opening up.
Some of the industrial activity, will be further developed, such as energy production at Värtaverket and the port's operations, while others, such as oil management at Loudden, will be phased out.
By creating and strengthening dispersal zones for flora and fauna throughout the area to the adjacent Royal National City Park, natural values and connections are strengthened.vParks and green spaces also strongly characterise this part of Stockholm.
More about the website NorraDjurgårdsstaden2030
This website is for everyone who wants to know more about how we work with sustainability in Stockholm Royal Seaport in the run-up to 2030. This is where we present results from follow-up of our sustainability goals and our innovation projects.
It is easy to set requirements, but all the more difficult and thus also important to follow up as well. What has become as we imagined and what can we learn from it? Every year, extensive detective work and screening is done, which forms the basis of this website.
Key figures are aggregated and indicate progress against a number of requirements.
The website is updated when there are new results on the sustainability work. The site also serves as an archive for collecting material and data in one place.