Structural picture of Norrbotten
The Norrbotten structural image is the starting point for the work on regional strategic planning. It involves developing regional planning documents for community planning that are adapted to different geographical locations in Norrbotten. The region is currently working on developing a spatial interpretation of regional priorities - a structural image for Norrbotten.
The first draft of the Structural Image was submitted between June 1 - September 30, 2025The referral was sent out to the county's municipalities, authorities and other relevant actors in community planning in Norrbotten.
The comments received are currently being processed, the goal is to be able to present a revised proposal in the first quarter of 2026.
The reference version is still available for viewing:
- Digitally in the region's interactive map service Planning map North
Description
Structural picture Norrbotten describes nodes and connections that are strategically important from a regional and functional perspective. Structural picture Norrbotten is intended to strengthen and facilitate the municipalities' comprehensive planning by adopting a regional perspective. A more local perspective and structures are handled by the municipalities' development orientations in the comprehensive plan.
Purpose of the structural image
- Provide support for coordination and collaboration on inter-municipal issues between municipality, region and state
- Be a guide for the municipalities' comprehensive planning
- Stimulate dialogue about how physical planning and other development efforts can contribute to increased interaction between the county's urban and rural areas
The work of developing the structural picture
In the process of revising the regional development strategy, two workshops with municipal and regional planners on the theme of spatial planning in the regional development strategy were held in May 2024. The interest and commitment was great and resulted in a nuanced picture of needs regarding how spatial perspectives need to be handled in the regional development strategy and associated action plans to contribute to the municipalities' comprehensive planning.
Based on input from the workshops, work was initiated to develop a proposal for a Structural Image for Norrbotten in parallel with the regional development strategy (RUS). The structural image will be updated every four years in connection with the revision of the RUS. New conditions, planning data or new issues will be taken into account when revising the structural image.
The work on planning data for the structural picture is ongoing and in dialogue with other planning actors. Regional planning data collected so far is available via the digital map tool that is under development within the Digital Co-Planning project.
