The municipality of Boden strives to create a sustainable and long-term development that benefits both current and future residents. A unique structured model of citizen dialogues is applied in all stages of Boden’s area development, both long-term and in the here and now.
The vision of “The Good Life” is central to the development and growth of the municipality of Boden. By 2030, the population of Boden will increase by several thousand. An important part of achieving the goal of 33,000 inhabitants by 2030 is to be able to offer attractive residential areas and many choices for different activities and social meetings. Another important aspect is that Boden should be safe and inviting.To ensure this, citizens, associations and organizations are actively involved in the planning of both existing and new residential areas.
“Our residential areas need to be taken into the future and be attractive so that we who live here feel that the entire social transition is something for all of us, not just for the new people who will move here. As a municipality, working in this structured way to develop existing residential areas is quite unique”, says Mats Berg, Head of Economic Development in Boden Municipality.
Citizens’ dialogues
By taking on board the views and wishes of citizens, residents not only influence, but also participate in the transformation of society at a time when the municipality is expected to grow rapidly. During a structured process of dialogues, in the respective area’s meeting places, at associations, schools, preschools, surveys or for the area specific groups, a variety of views are collected. There are also so-called neighborhood or area walks where representatives from the municipality’s various administrations and departments together look at traffic, safety, security, walking areas, meeting places, lighting, decoration, the possibility of stormwater solutions and more. The process follows the same course in each area, with consultation, review and opportunity for the public to influence.
The result is a master plan for the area, which then forms the basis for municipal decisions, plans and budget frameworks.
Fit for the future
The municipality of Boden started its area/district development even before Stegra, formerly H2 Green Steel, announced its plans in Boden. Having laid the foundations early on for something that has developed into a working method for growing wisely and sustainably in community building means a lot.
The Sveafältet Lundagård area is part of the heart of Boden’s military history, which is now taking a new step into the future. The work there has now resulted in a so-called design program. The results of the dialogues form the basis for the design program and the proposed solutions presented. The aim is to provide a common vision for the future development of Sveafältet Lundagård.
Salinization program Svea Lunda
“The design program is based on needs and future dreams that have emerged through digital and physical dialogues and surveys where just over 300 residents have participated”, explains Emma Lundqvist, community development strategist and responsible for Bodenxt’s cooperation area Living and living.
The program contains design proposals that should be possible to translate into concrete measures.
“To make this possible, we have identified five important nodes and a main route in the form of Drottninggatan. All have very different characters and are suitable for different types of activities and tempos”, says Gustav Hamlund, urban development strategist.
The needs that form the basis of the design program are intended to be met in the district as a whole, where the functions of the various nodes complement and support each other. In general, the physical space is designed in line with BoTrygg2030, where wishes and suggestions from residents regarding challenges, strengths and suggestions for improvements in the area are taken into account to create an attractive and safe area that residents are proud of and can be, live, meet and enjoy together.
In addition to Sveafältet Lundagård, area development is also taking place in various forms in the following areas:
