HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD IN SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM

This case study examines the sustainable urban development of Hammarby Sjöstad in Stockholm, Sweden, evaluating it against 12 Green Guidelines. The district is presented as an economically and environmentally successful model of infill development on a former industrial brownfield, utilizing a closed-loop 'Hammarby Model' to integrate waste, energy, and water systems. The report details the planning process, financing mechanisms, and the role of a multi-disciplinary Project Team in achieving high sustainability targets.

• Hammarby Sjöstad achieved significant economic success, with property values increasing by 25% despite construction costs being approximately 5% higher than normal. Tax-assessment values in the district increased more than in the City of Stockholm as a whole.
• The 'Hammarby Model' is a closed-loop eco-cycle that integrates waste, energy, water, and sewage to optimize resource use. It is supported by three city agencies: the Stockholm Water Company, Fortum (energy), and the Stockholm Waste Management Administration.
• The district's transportation strategy focuses on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), resulting in 79% of commuters walking, cycling, or using public transport as of 2007. Key infrastructure includes a light rail system (Tvärbanan) built before residents moved in, a ferry service, and extensive non-motorized transit networks with walking path densities of 25.8 km/km² and biking path densities of 10.5 km/km².
• Waste management is highly efficient, with only 0.7% of waste going to landfills. The system utilizes an automated underground vacuum waste transportation system to reduce collection traffic. Waste is processed via energy recovery (50%), material recycling (33%), biological treatment (16%), and hazardous waste handling (1%).
• Energy targets were not fully met; while the original goal was 60 kWh/m², the average energy consumption was recorded at 118 kWh/m². However, this remains lower than the Swedish average of 150 kWh/m². Approximately 80% of the total energy use in the district is renewable, primarily through district heating sourced from waste incineration and wastewater heat pumps.
• Water efficiency was achieved through eco-friendly installations and local storm water management, resulting in water consumption per person being 60% lower than the average supply to new housing in the inner city. All storm water is managed locally and purified before release.
• The development was built on a former industrial brownfield, and 100% of the developed land was remediated. The City of Stockholm managed the soil sanitation, with developers often contributing to costs in exchange for reduced land prices.
• The project utilized a 'Triple Helix' model of collaboration involving government, the private sector, and academia. A dedicated interdisciplinary Project Team from the City Planning Administration and Development Administration coordinated the process.
• Financing involved a mix of public and private investment. Developers invested approximately 83% of total expenditure, while the City of Stockholm contributed 17%. National government support was provided through the Local Investment Program (LIP), which funded biogas technology, solar installations, and the central wastewater treatment plant.

APA

Energy Innovation (2015). HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD IN SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Hammarby-Sjostad.pdf

Chicago

Energy Innovation. HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD IN SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM. 2015. https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Hammarby-Sjostad.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Energy Innovation |title=HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD IN SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM |date=October 2015 |url=https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Hammarby-Sjostad.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{energyinnovation2015hammarby, author = {{Energy Innovation}}, title = {{HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY OF HAMMARBY SJÖSTAD IN SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM}}, institution = {Energy Innovation}, year = {2015}, month = oct, url = {https://energyinnovation.org/wp-content/uploads/Hammarby-Sjostad.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }