BOST wants to create sustainable housing solutions: "Must start at the right end"
Norrbotten is facing a growing need for housing, while a large part of the county's housing stock is aging and in need of renovation. In the project Strengthened capacity for sustainable housing development in Norrbotten – BOST The problem is being attacked from several angles.
- We want to build a stable foundation for future housing development throughout the county, says project manager Carolina Lundmark. Weinz.
Within BOST, Region Norrbotten, Luleå University of Technology and Invest in Norrbotten are working to step up the work of achieving sustainable new production, but also making the most of the housing that already exists.
Where industry is growing, the pressure for new production is great. Other municipalities are struggling with depopulation and difficulties in keeping stocks in good condition. These are two parallel challenges that require different types of support.
“Otherwise we are just putting out fires”
In work package 1, the focus is on strengthening the municipalities' ability to develop the residential areas they already have in the long term.
– I usually say that we have to start at the right end, says Carolina Lundmark Weinz, strategist at Region Norrbotten and project manager for BOST.
Carolina Lundmark Weinz is project manager for BOST, with her main focus on developing the already built housing stock. Photo: Fredric Alm.
It's about seeing the housing stock as a long-term resource to invest in regularly, not just doing maintenance when problems arise. The most sustainable is what's already built.
– Most of the homes of the future already exist. So we have to take care of the ones we have, both technically and socially. Otherwise, we will get stuck in a situation where we are constantly putting out fires.
Get moving chains started
Another challenge is how the single-family homes that already exist are used.
– We are getting more elderly people and housing costs are increasing. When there is a shortage of affordable alternative housing, it leads to many elderly people staying in their houses while younger people have difficulty finding a house for growing families, says Carolina Lundmark Weinz.
Together with Luleå Municipality, BOST will look at the possibility of creating attractive, affordable housing for the 55+ age group. The hope is to start relocation chains and thus free up more single-family homes.
“Take care of the stock early”
In the second work package, the goal is to produce material that strengthens the ability of various actors to make long-term, well-founded decisions about housing development and housing supply.
The pedestrian street in Boden, where housing coexists with retail. Photo: Mats Engfors.
– To understand the long-term effects of the decisions we make today, we need to analyze how these affect the entire lifespan of buildings of around 100 years, says Carolina.
– Life cycle analyses, climate impact and long-term economics are important parts. If we don't take care of the stock early, costs will increase later and the lifespan will be shortened. At the same time, the value will drop and the homes will become less attractive.
“Steer towards the values you want to see”
Work package 3 is about strengthening the ability of municipalities to work with land allocations. Henrik Eriksson, research engineer at Luleå University of Technology, describes it as a crucial part of sustainable community development.
– We want to help municipalities become more predictable and clear setters of requirements in sustainability issues in relation to construction companies, he says.
Henrik Eriksson, research engineer at Luleå University of Technology, is looking for municipalities to work with on land allocations. Photo: LTU.
Through their land ownership, municipalities can control which requirements will apply, and thus also what development will be possible.
– The process gives municipalities the authority to highlight what is most important locally. This could be about social sustainability, energy efficiency or the qualities of the place. Land designation becomes a way of steering towards the values you want to see.
The project uses national guidance. The municipalities will test it in practice. The project group from LTU will see how well it works and what adjustments are needed.
“There is a big difference between a municipality where construction is frequent and one where land allocations occur less frequently. Therefore, the guidance needs to work for both the experienced and those who need more support,” he says.
– We hope to get in touch with municipalities that want to strengthen their strategic work. This is a unique chance to raise the level of ambition. The municipalities can drive development and at the same time learn from each other, says Henrik.
“Cannot rely on old calculations”
In work package 4, the focus is on strengthening Norrbotten's attractiveness as an investment location.
– We want investors to understand that the development in Norrbotten is real. There are major establishments and the transition is driven both by new companies and by those who have built the region for a long time, says Mikael Aamisepp, CEO of Invest in Norrbotten.
Mikael Aamisepp, CEO of Invest in Norrbotten, focuses on finding new paths to new production. Here together with Carolina Lundmark Weinz at a conference in Kiruna. Photo: Fredric Alm.
An important part of the work is changing the image of the county.
– We have to start over in the story. The development here is more dynamic and positive than many people think, says Mikael.
The team will both package business opportunities together with the municipalities and actively connect needs with the market. This will be done through industry events and through its own meeting places in Stockholm and Norrbotten.
For housing projects to come to fruition, innovative thinking is required.
– You can't rely on old calculations. New partnerships, business models and national support must be considered. It could be about sharing risk, using municipal operations to secure rental income, says Mikael.
National initiatives, such as increased resources for the Norrlandsfonden and work with credit guarantees, also play a role.
– At the end of the project, I hope we see increased construction. We will do everything we can to make that happen.
Renovate attics and basements
An important part of BOST is to gather and disseminate knowledge and share good examples. Carolina mentions Pitebo's development of the Centrum area, and Lulebo's work on creating new housing by converting attics and basements or building on floors.
Pitebo's work to develop the downtown area is one of several good examples in the county.
– Such initiatives show what is possible when you work long-term and consciously. My hope is that in three years we will have a changed approach where you ask yourself: What can we do with what we already have? New production is needed, but only when we have done what we can with what exists. And then with a clear strategy and greater security in the decisions.
BOST will give Norrbotten the tools to plan for sustainable, attractive and vibrant residential areas – not only today, but far into the future.
– I look forward to working with the county's stakeholders to build structures that allow us to create a green transition in the construction sector as well, says Carolina Lundmark Weinz.
Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa
