Hammarby SjöstadStockholm, Sweden

Once an industrial waterfront, Hammarby Sjöstad has developed into a vibrant mixed-use community. It has become an international model for sustainable urban design, known as the Hammarby Model. Initial surveys and forecasts anticipated that the majority of residents would be over 50 years old, however, many young families with children moved in.

The families in Hammarby Sjöstad were attracted to its safe, relatively car-free mobility network. Children have to cross very few streets with cars on their way to school. A network of pedestrian and cycling paths link open spaces and key destinations. A tram line was built along the central road in Hammarby Sjöstad to provide the primary transit spine in the district. It offers a convenient connection to the subway, bus and commuter rail lines. Ferries as well as bicycle and car-sharing options help to further reduce the use of private vehicles.

Access to high-quality outdoor space is paramount to healthy childhood development. Hammarby Sjöstad offers many opportunities for imaginative play and contact with nature. Courtyards and balconies are a prevailing architectural elements. Overhanging balconies provide outdoor space, views of nature, encourage social interaction and enable the supervision of children playing outside.

Hammarby Sjöstad is lauded for its holistic approach to infrastructure, energy, waste and water, all of which are visible and attractive, and made of durable, attractive materials. The ecological design in the public realm allows children to develop an early understanding of sustainable technologies. The community vision sets out qualitative goals that prioritize personal and social wellbeing. Its guiding principles strive to “elevate people’s mood” and create a livable community which co-exists seamlessly with nature.

BCA Active

Transportation(Safety)

Proximity to Community Centre

Proximity to Shops/Services

Proximity to Public Transit

Proximity to Parks & Open Green Space

Proximity to Child Care/School

Water fountains and splash pads are popular destinations for families to cool off and play in the summer.

This waterfront cafe and plaza deck is one of many gathering spaces that attracts people of all ages.

Waterfront pathways offer access to nature while providing stormwater management.

Bridges for pedestrians/cyclists facilitate and encourage active transportation.

The abundance and variety of well-connected outdoor spaces allow child care and community centres to offer many options for outdoor recreation and education.

Many units overlook car-free, green open spaces, which are neighbourhood features that attract families with children. The central building in the above image, ‘GlashusEtt’, is a public environmental education centre. It displays the district’s sustainable technologies, and holds exhibits focusing on energy use for school children.

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Context Plan

Parks/Open Space

Shops/Services Community Centre/Culture/Library

Public Transportation

Project Boundary

Child Care/Schools

What makes this neighbourhood work for children & youth?

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Green Space: Formal and naturalized parks, plazas, shared gardens, canal walkways, pedestrian bridges, waterfront trails, wooded areas with trails and splash pads.Traffic Safety: Car-free zones, traffic-calming, connections to high-quality cyclist and pedestrian infrastructure and public transportation.Community Amenities and Education: Schools, preschool, nursery, library sports centre and Stockholm’s only Fryshuset - one of the largest youth centres in the world.

PROJECT INFORMATIONLocation: Stockholm, Sweden - brownfield development south of the city centre

Development team: Jan Inghe-Hagström designed the masterplan. Over 30 developers including JM, Skanska, Family Housing, Swedish Housing, HSB, SKB and Borätt. Over 29 architectural firms including White Architects, Nyréns Architect Firm and Erséus

Year Completed: 1996 - ongoing

Built Form Typology:

Mid-rise, up to 8 storeys, townhouses

Land use: mixed-use including office, retail, commercial, institutional, cultural and light industrial

BREAKDOWN17,000-24,000 residents in 11,000 units

250,000 m2 commercial / light industrial

Total Area: 160 hectares