Nordic Built Cities Challenge

25 innovative Nordic solutions for smart,

liveable and sustainable cities
 Nordic Built Cities Challenge is a
multidisciplinary, needs-driven innovation
competition to bring forward
Nordic solutions for liveable, smart and
sustainable cities

An historically unprecedented urbanization  Co-creation and citizen involvement

characterizes the 21st century. Resource scarcity, ­
climate change and population increase pose major  Connectivity
challenges to the cities of the world – creating
a demand for innovative and sustainable solutions  Construction
for the built environment.
 Energy
Nordic Innovation, an institution under the Nordic Council
of Ministers, launched the Nordic Built Cities Challenge
 Food production
in March 2015 to contribute to the development and
showcasing of Nordic innovative solutions for liveable, smart
 Green and social spaces
and sustainable cities. Solutions that do not only have the
possibility to bring added value to urban spaces in the Nordic
 IT solution
region, but also to other cities around the world.
 Preservation of wildlife
In this brochure, we have highlighted some of the most
innovative solutions proposed by the 19 multidisciplinary
 Reusing materials and value
finalist teams in the competition, as part of their holistic
urban development projects. The solutions cover a wide
 Sustainable transport
range of expertise. Our hope is that they can serve as
inspiration for liveable, smart and sustainable cities in the
 Water
Nordic region and beyond.

To read more about the Nordic Built Cities Challenge,

please visit: www.nordicbuiltcities.org/thechallenge

In the Nordic Built Cities Challenge, six Nordic
cities have been looking for innovative and
multidisciplinary solutions to their urban challenges.
In total, 148 teams submitted their proposals.
In November 2016, the final winners were announced:
The Soul of Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Denmark, Co-op
City in Espoo, Finland and Eyes of Runavík in Runavík,
Faroe Islands.
The Nordic Built Cities Challenge is part of
Nordic Built Cities – a lighthouse programme in the
Nordic Co-operation Programme for Innovation and
Business Policies 2014 – 2017. Denmark is chairing the
programme and is responsible for its implementation in
co-operation with the other Nordic countries, the Nordic
Council of Ministers and Nordic Innovation.

2  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
Cloudburst mitigation through discharge pipe
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind The Soul of Nørrebro, Hans Tavsens Park and Korsgade
in Copenhagen, Denmark
 Water
Everyday rain is a completely natural part of the daily life in
Copenhagen and the city is at times grey and wet for several
consecutive days. For this reason, the team behind The
Soul of Nørrebro has developed a solution that promotes
rainwater as a resource in the city nature and urban life by
rain management and cloudburst mitigation. The goal for this
solution is to improve the daily lives of residents and users,
both measurably and tangibly. Through this solution, Hans
Tavsens Park will have an on-ground retention volume of
18,000 m3 of rainwater. Rainwater will be carried through a
discharge pipe to nearby lakes. This allows for cloudburst
water from higher ground upstream to be cleansed and
delayed before discharge. A part of using rainwater as a
resource is using rainwater from the rooftops directly facing
the Hans Tavsens Park in Copenhagen to the new bioswales
A FABLAB for city nature
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind The Soul of Nørrebro, Hans Tavsens Park and Korsgade
in Copenhagen, Denmark
 Co-creation and citizen involvement
In order to promote co-creation and development of
sustainable solutions in the city of Copenhagen, the team
behind the proposal The Soul of Nørrebro has proposed the
establishment of a FABLAB for city nature in Hans Tavsens
Park and Korsgade in Copenhagen. The FABLAB will be
placed as a pavilion building between the Blågård School
and HTØ in Hans Tavsens Park and will be the focal point
of a wide range of ‘green’ and social activities. ­The  building
will be programmed in such a way that more and more
of the neighborhood’s residents will have a link to the
FABLAB . The FABLAB for city nature will become an arena
of coexistence and dialogue, creating new social links and
The Soul of Nørrebro.
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  3
in the same park, where most of the water will infiltrate and
evaporate. The rainwater will be led from the rooftops of the
buildings facing Hans Tavsens Park to the bioswales.
Rainwater from the rooftops along the street Korsgade that
is not close to a rain basin will be led directly to the water
cleansing circuit along the street. From the heavily trafficked
areas on the streets Hans Tavsens Gade and Korsgade, the
rainwater will be diverted via catch basins before being led
to the existing drainage system. This ensures that most of
the contaminated rainwater and the first flush are diverted
to the waste water treatment plant, Lynetten. Through this
way rainwater harvested from roofs in rain basin can be
used by residents, schools and institutions, as well as by the
municipality’s maintenance management.
SLA A/S, www.sla.dk
Contact person: Mette Skjold, ake@sla.dk
a shared understanding. The purpose of the solution is to
create an open exploratorium, where different stakeholders
such as the school and church in the area can develop new
means of sustainable action through co-creation, while at
the same time outside areas will be reinforced as a social
gathering point through the activation of pupils, institutions
and creative crafts. Jointly the Exploratorium and the outside
areas will become a part of creating the physical framework
for the new social gathering point in inner Nørrebro, the Soul
of Nørrebro.
SLA A/S, www.sla.dk
Contact person: Mette Skjold, ake@sla.dk
 20-minute neighborhood
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Co-Op City, Kera in Espoo, Finland
 Sustainable transport
This solution, developed by the team behind the finalist
proposal Co-Op City, pushes the limits of sustainable
performance. It is built on the idea of a walkable urban
place where everyday destinations for inhabitants, such as
home, work, school, stores, and restaurants, are within a
short walking distance. The idea is that you can walk the
entire city area within 20 minutes. A twenty-minute city offers
several benefits such as economic benefits in increased
housing values, attraction of new economy workers,
new business relocation opportunities and reduction of
commuting costs and infrastructure investments. It also has
positive effects on health.
At the same time, the area is well connected to surrounding
areas via multiple transportation options, such as bus and
rail, bike routes and motor vehicles. The transportation
Placemaking via participatory processes
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Co-Op City, Kera in Espoo, Finland
 Co-creation and citizen involvement
In order to create a commitment and involvement among
citizens, the team behind the finalist proposal Co-Op City
suggests a solution where different management tools of
participatory processes are used in developing the area
of Kera in Espoo. The regeneration of Kera puts a strong
emphasis on placemaking. Placemaking binds people
collectively to invent and establish public spaces which
respond to people’s needs. The collaborative process adds
an accessible hands-on approach to the evolving public
spaces of Kera. Different stages of the planning process
are designed to be open for public participation and local
influence, ranging from workshops to participation through
an online interface.
Co-Op City.
4  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
sustainability is achieved by good connections and
advanced mobility solutions. Fast railroad connections to
Helsinki city center and Leppävaara are also provided and
Kera will be connected to southern Espoo and western
Vantaa via rail as well. The incentives to own a car are
therefore very small for inhabitants of Kera. Currently
14  000 inhabitants and 12 000 workers are able to reach
Kera station in less than 20 minutes by walking. Traffic in
Kera is also organized by combining multiple modes of
transportation such as autonomous vehicle traffic where
the telephone company Nokia is interested in starting a
pilot connecting their Headquarters to the Kera train station.
In the first phase the vehicles will shuttle from the train
station to Nokia Headquarters and back. This will form a
testbed setting for new solutions of sustainable and effective
transportation.
B&M Architects, www.bm-ark.fi
Contact person: Inari Virkkala, inari.virkkala@bm-ark.fi
Another example of placemaking is to use urban gardening
not only in producing food, but also as a placemaking tool
and increasing social cohesion. The gardens are more
than gardens: they form site-specific, designed aesthetic
and inviting public spaces. A strong local identity is created
when people are allowed to take part in the development of
their neighborhoods. The solution also entails having third
sector, creatives and small businesses playing a big part in
forming lively mini-districts in the area by giving them free
spaces in exchange for input in the identity creation of Kera.
In exchange for free facilities different actors are providing a
number of events or other activities, open for public.
B&M Architects, www.bm-ark.fi
Contact person: Inari Virkkala, inari.virkkala@bm-ark.fi
Bøurs – Social microclimates sheltered from harsh winds
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Eyes of Runavík, Hillside in Runavík,
Faroe Islands
 Green and social spaces
In the harsh Faroese climate that is characterized by
strong winds, creating social and green spaces is a
challenge. Therefore, the team behind the finalist proposal
Eyes of Runavík has developed a solution where social
microclimates are created – called Bøurs in Faroese.
The  Bøurs creates a meeting place for people on the Faroe
Islands. The Bøurs are a series of sheltered outdoor spaces
which become a social hub of Runavik, Faroe Islands.
The  enclosure formed by the settlements shelters the Bøurs
from the harsh winds of the Faroe Islands and provides a
new and unique social situation; the ability to meet your
neighbors in an outdoor environment.
Building in steep terrain
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Eyes of Runavík, Hillside in Runavík,
Faroe Islands
 Construction
In order to create a residential area that is sustainable and
with minimum impact on the surrounding nature, the team
behind the solution Eyes of Runavík proposes a solution
that enables construction of buildings in steep terrain on
a hillside in the town of Runavík in the Faroe Islands.
The  project simultaneously draws from the vastness of
the wild landscape and the inherent singularity of the
individual dwelling, thus generating a new building typology.
The  planning phase of the urban spaces is began with a
3D  scan of the terrain to identify the optimal locations for
road paths and residential buildings, creating the minimum
impact on the area based on excavation, backfill, ground
conditions and underlying sewage pipes.
Eyes of Runavík.
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  5
Through the construction of enclosing walls, shelter is
provided that can raise the ambient temperature within
a  garden by several degrees. Each of the Bøurs become
their only social microclimate; protected gardens that catch
your curiosity. Each residence has a private outdoor space in
the Bøur. The terraced landscape separates these gardens
without the use of fencing, to create more openness and
accessibility. Most of the private gardens are accessed
directly from the residence, an element that itself can be
used for hanging out with a cup of coffee.
White Arkitekter A/S, www.white.dk
Contact person: Mikkel Thams Olsen, mikkel.thams@white.dk
The construction method for the dwellings allows them  to
cope with the steepness of the terrain. The levels of the
dwellings can be adapted to the steepest landscape  within
the plot. Excavation below the dwellings will not be
necessary at large and is limited to trenches for utilities.
By  grouping the singular dwellings together and wrapping
them under one elevated green roof, the project fits
seamlessly within this in-between zone. In contrast to the
interior microclimate between the buildings, the outside of
the settlement is left as untouched as possible, letting the
wild nature envelop the settlements and come all the way to
the front door.
White Arkitekter A/S, www.white.dk
Contact person: Mikkel Thams Olsen, mikkel.thams@white.dk
 Modes for co-creation and cooperation in the redevelopment
of an urban space
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal It Takes a Block, Sege Park in Malmö, Sweden
 Co-creation and citizen involvement
In order to create a sense of community and invite to a deep
user commitment to an area, the team behind the finalist
It Takes a Block proposes development of different modes
for co-creation and cooperation. A natural by-product of
engagement is sharing. Anthropology findings suggest that
systems of reciprocity will tend to take shape in tight-knit
communities where there is infrastructure to support it;
where encounters are provided with a clear frame and there
are platforms for sharing and connection. Through engaging
in our community we should get access to experiences
and resources that would otherwise be unavailable to us,
allowing us to enjoy a rich, layered urban life.
Rooftop gardens and green spaces
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal It Takes a Block, Sege Park in Malmö, Sweden
  Food production, Green and social spaces
As a part of reaching the common goal of a sustainable
ecosystem for Sege Park, the team behind It Takes a
Block has developed a solution that focuses on green and
social spaces to encourage both environmental and social
sustainability. By establishing rooftop gardens in the city of
Malmö communal spaces are created for the residents  of
the block, forming the heart of community life. The rooftop
gardens are mainly programmed as spaces for food
production and communal services such as laundry and
saunas. Each rooftop is designed with its own green identity
– one rooftop is for beekeeping, one is a tree nursery,
another orangery.
Besides from contributing to food production and biodiversity,
the rooftop gardens are important spaces for social interaction
It Takes a Block.
6  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
One mode for cooperation and sharing is the establishment
of building co-operatives. The urban space is characterized
by an old 1930’s hospital complex that will be redeveloped.
By establishing renovation co-operatives consisting of
future tenants, the future residents of Sege Park can come
together in a sustainable practice. Before any renovation
the purpose is to use existing buildings as a cheap startup
incubator – a way to attract innovative entrepreneurship.
The  startups’ life in the existing buildings could be developed
in stages; an initial period of a few years with no renovation
and low rent, followed by light renovation for the purposes of
sustainability and office functions, all the while safeguarding
the option to remodel the spaces into housing.
Kjellander & Sjöberg Arkitektkontor AB, www.ksark.se
Contact person: Johan Pitura, johan.p@ksark.se
and smaller gatherings. This is where the residents meet to
take care of their gardens, talk on the terrace while doing
their laundry or have a snack together in the shelter of a
greenhouse. The green facades facing southwest will be
covered with green plants and will have several positive
impacts. They will reduce noise pollution, improve carbon
footprint and air quality, and bring recreational and aesthetic
value to the neighborhood. The  green spaces are designed
with the purpose of reduced operation and maintenance.
This contributes to the reduction of carbon dioxide and a
significantly increased biodiversity. Research confirms that
highly manicured lawns produced more greenhouse gases
than they soak up and do not add to a rich biodiversity. For
this reason, the block will not have green lawns but areas of
wild grass and herbs surrounding the fruit trees.
Kjellander & Sjöberg Arkitektkontor AB, www.ksark.se
Contact person: Johan Pitura, johan.p@ksark.se
Transformation of a parking house on the plaza into
a green mobility center
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Flying Carpet, Trygve Lies plass in Oslo, Norway
 Sustainable transport
In order to create Trygve Lies plass into a more sustainable
urban space, the team behind the finalist proprosal Flying
Carpet has developed a solution of a Green Mobility
Center (GMC). The existing parking house on the plaza
of Trygve Lies plass will be transformed into the mobility
center, enabling people to travel in a sustainable manner.
­The  center has a curved roof which marks the entrance.
The  GMC is shaped for movement across, under, around
and the center can be entered from south and north.
The  roof covers the ramps to the existing parking garage.
Car parking on plaza level is removed, and the upper level
of the garage is used for bicycle parking. Lost parking
Tuned scapes
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Flying Carpet, Trygve Lies plass in Oslo, Norway
 Green and social spaces
The main intention of this solution is to enhance an urban
space that can shape itself depending on season where
areas are being tuned through transformation of pavements,
material, furniture, playgrounds greenery, installations and
topography. The team behind this solution is the one behind
the proposal Flying Carpet, Trygve Lies plass in Oslo,
Norway, a square that is a field of mobility in the junction
between a carpark, subway, bus stop and bicycle parking.
The square is shaped as a continuous topographical surface
which allows free flow of people and vehicles, but not cars.
The flying carpet fills the whole square with life bringing
activities which will provide a neighborhood identity and
generate care and interest for the future construction on
and around the square. The character of the square will be
Flying Carpet.
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  7
spaces are recovered by extending the garage towards
south and east or by using basement space in new buildings
surrounding the plaza. The green mobility center will contain
charging stations for electrical bicycles, electrical cars,
a  bicycle repair shop and parking for bicycles, electrical
cars and regular cars, info and ticket sale for public
transport. The  idea is to enable a  smooth transition towards
sustainable means of transport and facilitate the shift from
one mode of transportation to the  other.
Mestres Wåge Arquitectes SLP, www.mestreswage.com
Contact person: Magnus Wåge, magnus@coac.net
changed through seasons and so will fields for activities.
During winters the square will be prepared for winter
specific activities such as ice-skating on the water pond,
snow playground and warm benches to offer better comfort
in waiting areas. During summers the square will provide
places for sunbathing, playgrounds, lunch areas, petanque
and board games. In spring and autumn many of the
activities of winter and summer merge, making it a good time
for outdoor market activities and events as well. The plaza
can be reprogrammed to host cultural activities organized
by the community of Furuset or the municipality in order to
favour the sense of belonging and ownership.
Mestres Wåge Arquitectes SLP, www.mestreswage.com
Contact person: Magnus Wåge, magnus@coac.net
 Connecting the city to the landscape
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Spot on Kársnes, Kársnes harbour
in Kópavogur, Iceland
  Construction, Connectivity
In an urban space like Kársnes harbour, bridges are needed
for easy transport and for connecting Kársnes to the city
centre of Reykjavik as well as to the tranquillity and natural
beauty of Álftanes and the surrounding sea. In order to
connect Kársnes to the surrounding landscape, the team
behind the finalist proposal Spot on Kársnes proposes
a solution where new bridges are built. The new bridges
will put Kársnes at the hub of a fantastic web of paths,
for cyclists and pedestrians alike, stretching far and wide
across the metropolitan area. Rather than seeing the bridges
as simple thoroughfares, the bridges are designed as a
sequence of events and a path that is a delight to traverse.
The bridges will also have tram lines across them, which are
Car-free islands – transition from city to nature
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Spot on Kársnes, Kársnes harbour
in Kópavogur, Iceland
 Sustainable transport
In order to create an environmentally sustainable urban
space, the team behind the finalist proposal Spot on
Kársnes has developed a solution where car-free islands are
promoted towards Álftanes, an area that is a transition from
city to the nature of Iceland. Here the atmosphere changes
from the bustling city towards the quiet nature and birdsong.
The smaller islands attracts birdlife, the biggest one is
inhabited. The terrain slopes from the north bulwark towards
a south facing natural beach. The buildings on the island are
a mix of apartment blocks and town houses.
The overarching plan of the Harbour area is based on the
20 minute strategy, which means that all the necessary
commodities are within 20 minutes by foot, thus reducing
Spot on Kársnes.
8  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
connected to the tram concept of the Greater Capital Region
of Reykjavík.
By relocating the boat club facilities in Nauthólsvík and
Kópavogur the issue of having to open the bridges is
avoided. Gaining building land by adding extended and
varied landfills secures the economic sustainability. Towards
Álftanes, a sequence of new islands supports the bridges.
The edge of the landfill changes according to its situation
and gives access to the water in different ways. Facing the
open sea it is sturdy and protective while towards the inlets
the landscape slopes softly to the shore. Reclamation of
natural beaches is a vital part of the design.
DLD, www.dld.is
Contact person: Dagný Bjarnadóttir, dagny@dld.is
the need for the private car. The car-free island will have
a community willing to try a different lifestyle of sharing
spaces and things to lower the cost of living and the carbon
footprint. The solution promotes collective solutions such
as for example a basic kitchen for individuals and a bigger
one to share with others. The community is a part of a global
housing concept, where you can live in a similar complex
anywhere in the world.
DLD, www.dld.is
Contact person: Dagný Bjarnadóttir, dagny@dld.is
Buildings designed to withstand strong winds
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Natural Connection, Hillside in Runavík,
Faroe Islands
 Construction
In order to create a livable and attractive environment to
live in on a hillside of Runavík in the Faroe Islands, the
team behind the finalist proposal Natural Connection has
developed a construction solution for buildings that is able
to withstand strong winds in the normally very windy area of
Runavik, Faroe Islands. The physical geometry of a building
affects its aerodynamic properties and how well it can
withstand strong winds. The choice of building materials can
also affect the ability of a building to withstand these forces.
Wind acting on the roof surfaces of a building can cause
negative pressures that are likely to create a lifting force.
This is one of the most common ways a building can be
destroyed during a storm. Gravity alone may not be sufficient
to prevent the roof from lifting, or detaching off the rest of
the building. Once this occurs the structure is weakened
considerably and the rest of the building is likely to fail as
well. To minimize this, the upper structure was studied and
Wellbeing through self sufficiency
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Hygge, Hillside in Runavík, Faroe Islands
  Food production, Green and social spaces
An effective way of bringing a community together is to
encourage a sense of wellbeing. One way to do this is to
promote a healthy lifestyle through eating nutritious, clean,
and simple food. If the food is home grown, then even better.
This brings with it a higher level of satisfaction, achievement
and sustainability. This is also the idea behind the solution
developed by the team behind the finalist proposal Hygge,
where the ability for residents to be self-sufficient will create
wellbeing among the residents of the hillside of Runavík in
the Faroe Islands.
The reward of self-sufficiency is twofold; one is able to enjoy
food which is fresh, organically grown and highly nutritious
and to have the good life, in pleasant surroundings which
are continuously evolving and changing. Growing your own
vegetables is one way to begin. The  Faroe Islands has rich
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  9
securely anchored to the walls and through them to the
foundation; thus several techniques can be used to securely
anchor the roof.
With appropriate design and construction techniques the
capacity of buildings to face these forces can be greatly
enhanced. The sturdy concrete base combined with the
robust CLT timber construction make these innovative
structures nearly impervious to the wind forces meeting the
code of practice adopting for the design high wind velocity.
The wind force adopted follows the strict recommendations
of the most advanced design codes such as Eurocode 1
– EN 1991 and also benefits from the data and knowledge
obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models
specifically developed for this project.
MASS LAB SCANDINAVIA, www.masslab.pt
Contact person: Lourenço Fontes Teles Menezes Rodrigues,
dsr@masslab.pt
nutritious soil, which is a huge benefit when growing your
own produce. The location of where you grow vegetables
should be well considered, some vegetables require more
sheltered areas to grow, but others, namely, root vegetables
are able to endure strong weather conditions. The courtyards
areas are perfect for giving protection from the prevailing
winds so that vegetables can flourish and grow. By using the
Islands naturally rich soil, combined with a considered and
thorough architecture can encourage a healthy lifestyle by
bringing the community together to grow and cultivate their
own organic and nutritious food, in a fantastic environment.
This way of life not only provides you with home-grown
produce but it also gives one a deeper appreciation of the
world you live in and the ground you  touch.
EM RÁÐGEVING, www.emr.fo
Contact person: Magni Thomsen, magni@emr.fo
 Urban habitats for birds and insects to enhance biodiversity
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Circularity!, Sege Park in Malmö, Sweden

to IUCN. The LSW is used as an umbrella species to

 Preservation of wildlife
In order to enhance urban biodiversity, the team behind
the finalist proposal Circularity! in Sege Park in Malmö
puts focus on birds in the urban space. The purpose is to
create urban habitats for birds and insects and to enhance
urban biodiversity in contemporary landscape. By using
flat roofs of new buildings developed in the area, the roofs
are transformed in to habitats for ground and shrub nesting
birds as these birds are rather uncommon in urban areas
because direct and indirect human activity limits their nesting
possibilities.
create/uphold a viable ecosystem in the urban space.
The  team urges contemporary landscape architecture to
take the responsibility to challenge municipalities, buildings
companies, architects and other actors to take a step
further from placing nesting boxes for birds or insect hotels
on facades. It is often reasonable and eventually cheaper
to have a holistic approach on incorporating wilderness to
urban landscapes.
Mareld Landskapsarkitekter AB, www.mareldlandskap.se
Contact person: Oskar Ivarsson, oskar@mareldlandskap.se

Another method applied by the team is to enhance the

living conditions for the lesser spotted woodpecker (LSW).
This is done through making sure that surrounding green
areas (mainly parks, forests, rural landscape) are suitable
for the LSW – a globally near threatened species according

Sege App for managing shared resources

Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Having Less to Live More, Sege Park
in Malmö, Sweden

operator. The app is also a means to support a functioning

 IT solution
local market, where inhabitants advertise and exchange
In order to promote the sharing of resources in the area of initiatives, favors and goods. The market, besides being
Sege Park, the team behind the finalist proposal Having beneficial for economy and sustainability, also provides
Less to Live More proposes the solution of having a mobile reasons to interact. The well-oiled infrastructure for sharing
app for managing shared resources available in the area: enables the spreading of knowledge and resources in the
Sege App. To some extent, most shared functions are neighborhood, beyond our traditionally closed network of
available at no extra cost in the area, but as soon as you family and friends, creating a special culture of sharing
book or rent a facility for your own use, credits will be drawn among inhabitants.
from your account. The level of bookability versus free use Sweco Architects, www.sweco.se
of each facility is continually adjusted. Some functions, such Contact person: Urban Skogmar, urban.skogmar@sweco.se
as the swimming pool and the electrical freight bikes always
require booking. Information, booking and paying for the
functions are facilitated by the neighborhood app. The app
contains Sege Coins, but can also be connected to a credit
card. The app is also available to people living outside of
Sege Park. Instead of paying the neighborhood fee, they
pay admission for each use. This makes it possible for the
sharing concept to benefit more than the 800 households in
Sege Park, making for a good extra income for the property

10  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
Linked terrace houses
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Bring Your Plant, Sege Park in Malmö, Sweden
 Green and social spaces
The basic concept of the Linked Terrace Houses developed
by the team behind the finalist proposal Bring Your Plant
is to have less private spaces and more shared spaces.
The  tenants will have an, on an average interior surface
of 26.5 m2 per person, get access to a community but
also to facilities that are normally not included in an
apartment building. This  creates a higher quality of life for
the inhabitants compared to living in a singular flat of the
same size without shared areas. The concept of the Linked
Terrace Houses works excellent with cross-generation living,
where generations could help each other by exchanging
services like babysitting and tutoring. The possibilities
of collective cooking and coordinated food shopping will
reduce living costs and at the same time enhance the
quality of life and create a strong community. The Linked
Terrace Houses are connected with a shared terrace at the
Urban planning workshops to include inhabitants and other
stakeholders in the urban planning process
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Kera Era, Kera in Espoo, Finland
 Co-creation and citizen involvement
A practical method to increase social sustainability is to
include and engage residents and citizens in an urban
planning process. During the past years Uusi Kaupunki,
which is a collective formed by individual architecture
offices in Finland, have developed various participatory
working methods to be able to optimize the use of collective
knowledge of residents and citizens. Studio Puisto and
Hukkatila are both founding members of the collective and
have successfully run over 20 participatory urban planning
workshops all around Finland and abroad. The Dream Hotel
& Hostel in Tampere and the Kankaanpää Culture Campus
are both examples of design and construction projects that
have started as a direct result of workshops held this way.
These urban planning workshops combine problem
solving and ideation and result in concrete proposals,
gathering information directly from inhabitants, city
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  11
third  floor. By  elevating the terrace areas of the two buildings
to the third floor, the ground floor is left free and allows easy
passage to the surrounding squares, the park and nearby
buildings and thereby creates a shared public area.
By having spaces for shared living, residents will experience
a number of benefits contributing to both social and
environmental sustainability. The approach of sharing is
cost-saving, resource-saving as well as time saving, as
residents can help each other out with chores. Furthermore,
the shared living creates a meeting point in daily routines,
could be beneficial for the psychological well-being, creating
a sense of neighborhood and a feeling of safety as well
as creating social and interpersonal relations across
generations and culture.
Metamorf Design, www.metamorf.se
Contact person: Jesper Sjöstrand, jesper@metamorf.se
officials, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. For the
workshops map-based questionnaires are being used which
provides solid information on perceived safety, mobility
and experienced qualities of urban spaces also in grey
field areas such as the area which the team behind this
solution represent Kera in Espoo, Finland. For the Kera Era
development process the ambition is to apply and develop
the participatory methods that has been developed by
the collective even further and the ambition is to reach all
various stakeholders along this process.
Studio Puisto Arkkitehdit Oy, www.studiopuisto.fi
Contact person: Heikki Riitahuhta, heikki@studiopuisto.fi
 The Superagent – a social screen to promote activities
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Keen on the Screen, Trygve Lies plass
in Oslo, Norway

 IT solution
This technical solution is built on ideals of people’s
engagement, love and affection in public areas and  parks
in Oslo, Norway. In this solution, a social place-managing
model will be placed in the Trygve Lies plass and
the purpose is to encourage the importance of local
stewardship in the public park of Oslo. The model is called
the  Superagent and it is a mixture of a friend, housekeeper,
favorite handyman and a party-maker. The Superagent is
checking in on its neighbors and the culture dynamos daily
to ensure that the square delivers at its best. The agent
knows when things should be repaired, puts table cloth on
the tables, lends out bikes and event space, sets the light for
the night dance show, order drinks and popcorn for the
film-festival and coordinates activities with the local dynamos
– a local hero and a Superagent with many hats.
as a board for the public space. The board will exist for
members including residents, institutions, shop owners and
businesses. The task is to give influence of activities in the
park, set goals for the use and for the disposition of park.
This will give the Superagent an arsenal of urban space
elements that can be used in the everyday life, at events and
rented by users for their projects – A  highly technical solution
which embraces the engagement of the locals and other
stakeholders.
Pir II Oslo AS, www.pir2.no
Contact person: Kaja Tiltnes, kaja.tiltnes@pir2.no

To involve the public and peoples engagement in the

development of the park, the Superagent will function

Plus Energy Square

Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Cycle, Trygve Lies plass in Oslo, Norway

which is why it is called a plus energy square. The generated

 Energy
Trygve Lies Square in the capital of Norway is a place for
being – to hang out, to meet, to enjoy a cup of coffee in
the sun. It is a place for doing – for play, for recreation and
for events. The square is also a place for movement which
encompasses walking, cycling and public transport. It has a
strong local identity because of its location at the heart of a
vibrant residential area and an international identity due to
residents with many nationalities and backgrounds.
In order to create a space like this, the team behind the
finalist proprosal Cycle has developed a solution for creating
Norway’s first Plus Energy Square on Trygve Lies plass in
Oslo. This means that energy will naturally be generated
from the park. The generated energy from the park can
exceed the energy required to power and maintain the
square and the embodied energy in the building materials,
energy can be in the form of electricity from photovoltaic
panels mounted on the roof over the Mobility Hub, and
thermal energy from a geothermal heat pump. The energy
strategy could encompass seasonal storage of thermal
energy under the square. The aim of the solution is to lay
the foundations to minimizing climate gas emissions from
transport, materials and use by 50 percent – a solution that
focuses on environmental sustainability while it also cherish
the uniqueness and character of the neighborhood.
Mad Oslo AS, www.mad.no
Contact person: Kyrre Sundal, kys@mad.no

12  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
Circular economy solutions for optimizing use of materials
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Kera-Lane, Kera in Espoo, Finland

demolishing, processing and generating waste, to reuse

 Reusing materials and value
building and element parts and materials and to recycle the
Climate change and the depletion of natural resources are waste that cannot be prevented or reused. For Kera only it
two of our most pressing global problems. Construction gives a saving of 930 ton of CO2 eq by preventing, 3200 ton
and demolition practices are among the biggest source of of CO2 eq by reusing building components and materials and
waste in Europe. Today many of the construction materials approximately 1050 ton of CO2 eq by recycling materials on
can be reused or recycled. This solution, developed by site or nearby, a great difference just by optimizing the use of
the team behind the finalist proposal Kera-Lane, focuses existing materials and value.
therefore on a circular economy. Circular economy is a novel Ramboll Finland Oy, www.ramboll.fi
economic model in which the focus is on reusing materials Contact person: Eevaliisa Härö, eevaliisa.haro@ramboll.fi
and value, the purpose is to minimize material wastage. In
a circular economy, the use of resources and materials is
enhanced, with raw materials retaining their value in the life
cycle of resources. Every Finnish person uses approximately
16  tons of aggregates like rock material every year (which
all together is 100 million tons per year). By reusing and
recycling the material, large amounts of valuable non-
renewable natural rock material can be saved.

The proposal in this solution is based on the EU waste

framework hierarchy were the goal is to: prevent

Re-use of the industrial buildings for historic continuity

in the redevelopment of Kera
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Urban Incubator, Kera in Espoo, Finland

modify the old halls more than necessary. The facilities will
 Reusing materials and value
be based on easy implementation, modularity and flexibility.
Kera is a new city neighborhood in the city of Espoo and This will be achieved by using sea containers inside the
an example of new use of brownfield areas: using existing existing halls, added with extra steel and glass structures.
structures and turning these into new uses, for instance by The use of sea containers ensures the easy customization of
reusing old halls in the industrial area. Behind this solution the space for different needs and functions. Even the  school,
is the team of the finalist proposal Urban Incubator, who daycare center and the library can be built based on this kind
believes that re-use supports the historical continuity of the of modular thinking, allowing for future flexibility and needs.
area and is reflected in the temporal strata. The outcome LPR-arkkitehdit Oy, www.ark-lpr.fi
will be a rich environment that feeds both the intelligence Contact person: Veera Rautaheimo, veera.rautaheimo@ark-lpr.fi
and the senses. New elements will complement the old
ones, present in their pleasant roughness. The halls
combine public services (school, daycare center, library,
etc.) with privately funded initiatives. These will perform as
a 24/7 matrix and a framework for learning, social activities,
hobbies and entrepreneurship. The basic idea is not to

Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  13
 Abundance of geothermal energy in public spaces
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Solborg, Karsnes harbour in Kopavogur, Iceland

pleasant conditions all year round. It’s connected to the

  Energy, Green and social spaces
central square and many services and used for community
The Icelandic climate limits the use of traditional public gardening and cultivating vegetables for local restaurants.
spaces, parks, squares and streets. It easily gears people Thanks to geothermal energy Iceland has the opportunity to
into moving between private spaces by private vehicles. be a pioneer in greenhouse technology based solutions and
To  address this issues, the team behind the finalist proposal spaces. The Social garden serves local residents, but it also
Solborg has developed a solution where a Social Garden connects to Sólborg’s Centre for Food and Sustainability.
is established, creating a public space that could be used It will include community gardening allotments and a food
year round, for instance for local vegetable production court with restaurants serving dishes made with locally
and for social interaction and provision of public and produced vegetables.
commercial services. Abundance of geothermal energy Contact person: Milla Parkkali, milla.parkkali@gmail.com
provides opportunities for experimenting with a new type of
public space better suited for Icelandic conditions. As the
climate conditions and technological solutions for applying
abundant wind and sun energy develop, Icelandic concepts
generated with the help of abundant geothermal energy
may also become forerunners to spread across the globe.
A large social garden in the center of Sólborg serves as a
public space that is easily accessible by all and provides

Wetland Park
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Evolve Karsnes, Karsnes harbour
in Kopavogur, Iceland

strategy. The park will be a place for people and wildlife,

 Water
whilst serving as a means for climate adaptation in Karsnes
To celebrate the natural landscape of Kopavogur and Harbour by creating a park that could be used during wet
Karsnes harbour, the team behind the finalist proposal seasons as well as drier months.
Evolve Karnses have develop a solution where a Wetland T.ark architects, www.tark.is
Park extends into the local bay. As seasons change, the Contact person: Halldór Eiríksson, halldor@tark.is
nature of the wetland will evolve. A collection of stilted
homes, public buildings and activity structures reside in the
wetland. Water retention ponds will dominate this seasonal
landscape during the rainy months, holding surplus water
in allocated areas to protect higher ground and residential
neighbourhoods from rising water levels. A drier parkland
will emerge during the summer season. Boardwalks invite
pedestrian and cyclists to access the landscape all year
round. The seasonal Wetland Park supports local wildlife
and plays a crucial part of the future flood mitigation

14  Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities
A mixed use of transportation systems to a more effective
and sustainable transportation system
Solution proposed by the finalist team behind the proposal Kársnes-Harbouring Life, Kársnes harbour
in Kopavogur, Iceland
 Sustainable transport
By providing multiple choices of sustainable modes of
transportation, the team behind the finalist proposal
Kársnes-Harbouring Life wants to inspire to a healthy
lifestyle ensuring better quality of life in Kársnes harbor in
Kopvagour, Iceland. The solution is based on a mixed use
of transportation systems. It enables people to live, work
and study in close proximity. It also promotes sustainable
modes of transport due to shorter commuting distances
between work, school and home. This proposal is largely
based on the existing street grid in the harbor of Karsnes.
It  also provides more route choices and distributes the traffic
better than the existing street grid. Frequent high capacity
rapid transit buses pass through the area, reducing the
dependency on personal motor vehicles. The connection
over the bridge via rapid transit becomes increasingly viable
as the area develops. Intensification of residential and
commercial uses around high capacity rapid transit stations
helps ensure that all residents and commuters have access
to high quality public transport.
Nordic Built Cities Challenge – Nordic innovative solutions for smart, liveable and sustainable cities  15
More steps can be taken to create incentives for the use
of sustainable modes of transportation in favor of personal
cars such as introducing adequate parking fees and
reducing overall supply of parking spaces. E-Car sharing
is encouraged in Kársnes harbour, with one hub at the
innovation square and another by the “village”. E-bike hubs
are by the innovation center, Recreational Center, and
the Village. Boat sharing is introduced at the new harbor
extension allowing residents in the area to engage with the
ocean without the commitment and cost of owning a boat.
Users will have info at their fingertips about availability,
environmental impact and cost. A dense network of
walking and cycling routes result in short, varied and direct
connections that improve access to goods, services and
rapid transit. Emphasis is placed on good infrastructure for
pedestrians and cyclists.
Basalt Architects, www.basalt.is
Contact person: Hrólfur Karl Cela, hrolfur@basalt.is
Innovative urban planning in the Nordic countries
Urban planning in the Nordic countries is characterized
by a balanced and integrated societal development striving
for environmental, economic and social sustainability.
There are a number of examples where innovative solutions
lead to more liveable, smart and sustainable cities.
Innovative products and services
developed in living labs
As a result of an innovative mind-set and high level of skills,
the joint Nordic brand for urban planning is a symbol of
smart city developments integrating strong ICT solutions and
services. In Finland, cities use urban spaces as test beds
and living labs for innovative products and services related
to urban challenges.
Green solutions
for climate adaptation
For growing cities throughout the Nordic countries and the
rest of the world, climate adaptation and cloudburst handling
is an important issue. In Norway, use of green roofs are
encouraged in the development of new urban areas, which
is used to absorb water from heavy rains.
A holistic view
on urban planning
In the Nordic countries, holistic solutions are developed to
address a multitude of issues at once, creating cities that
are smart, sustainable and liveable. In Iceland, production
of local renewable fuel using organic household waste
has resulted in creation of new business opportunities and
jobs locally, while at the same time reducing the use of
fossil fuels.
Co-creating sustainable
urban spaces
A sustainable urban living requires urban environments
that the residents themselves consider to be liveable.
In Sweden, municipalities often invite citizens to participate
in the planning process of urban areas through public
workshops. In many cities in Sweden, social impact
assessments are a mandatory part of development plans
for neighbourhoods.
A tradition of functional and
high quality design
The tradition of Nordic design has long been characterised
by simple designs, minimalism, functionality and quality.
The Nordic design is aesthetically appealing, with functional
and effective solutions that are reliable in the long term.
In Denmark, sustainability and liveability have been high on
the agenda since the 1960’s and there is a long tradition of
prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists in the city design.
The Nordic Built Cities Charter
We will create a built environment that…
1. Is made for people and promotes quality of life
2. Pushes the limits of sustainable performance, as
a result of our innovative mind-set and high level
of knowledge
3. Merges urban living with the qualities of nature
4. Achieves zero emissions over its lifecycle
5. Is functional, smart and aesthetically appealing,
building on the best of the Nordic design tradition
6. Is robust, durable, flexible and timeless – built to last
7. Utilises local resources and is adapted to local
conditions
8. Is produced and maintained through partnerships
founded on transparent collaboration across
borders and disciplines
9. Employs concepts that are scalable and used
globally
10. Profits people, business and the environment
The Nordic Built Charter states ten principles for
liveable, smart and sustainable Nordic cities and
buildings – taking energy, climate, economy and
people into account. It is created by the Nordic building
industry, and the foundation of the Nordic Built Cities
programme. It offers a platform for cooperation by
providing a common set of fundamentally Nordic values
representing the strengths and aspirations of the Nordic
approach to liveable, smart and sustainable Nordic cities
and buildings.
www.nordicbuiltcities.org