Hållbar stadsutveckling - erfarenheter från Hållbara Hökarängen

The 'Hållbara Hökarängen' project (2012-2015) demonstrated that sustainable urban development is most effective when it leverages local socio-demographic contexts and focuses on activities where residents have direct influence, such as urban gardening and communal cooking, rather than technical energy issues. The project utilized action research, a diverse communication strategy, and the creation of 'Local Sustainability Ambassadors' to foster long-term behavioral change and social cohesion. While a parallel investment program by Stockholmshem reduced heat energy consumption by over 30% per square meter compared to 2007, the behavioral project found that engagement was highest for 'lustful' activities and resource efficiency rather than residential energy use, where tenants had limited control.

• The project found that resident engagement is heavily influenced by local socio-demographic factors and the degree of individual control over the issue. While initial focus was on residential energy, interest was limited because the area is dominated by rental apartments where residents have little influence over energy use. Engagement was significantly higher for activities involving personal agency and pleasure, such as urban cultivation, communal cooking, and nature walks.
• A diverse communication strategy and the use of action research were critical for reaching a broad audience. Effective methods included door-to-door campaigns to identify resident interests, a project blog, newsletters, a central project office, and a sustainability festival. Action research allowed the project to adapt its focus based on participant reflection and observation.
• The project established a network of 'Local Sustainability Ambassadors' to ensure the longevity of the initiative. These ambassadors, consisting of both new and long-term residents, acted as a test panel for the project group, proposed and prioritized ideas, and helped initiate further local movements, such as the 'Hökarängen Transition & Permaculture project! (HOPP!)'.
• Social sustainability and the creation of communal meeting places are essential drivers for environmental behavioral change. The project indicated that environmental goals are more easily achieved when social and cultural capital are developed simultaneously, as social norms and community support influence individual choices, such as reducing air travel.
• Quantitative and qualitative results showed positive impacts on participants' behaviors and social cohesion. Specifically, a heat energy efficiency program implemented by Stockholmshem in parallel with the project led to a reduction in heat energy consumption of more than 30 percent per square meter compared to 2007 levels. Additionally, visualizing electricity consumption through a competition motivated participants to significantly reduce their electricity use.
• Long-term sustainability of such projects requires early transfer of responsibility to local actors and the provision of physical infrastructure. Residents identified the lack of common premises and kitchens for communal activities as significant barriers to continuing the work through voluntary efforts alone.

APA

Axelsson, K. (2016). Hållbar stadsutveckling - erfarenheter från Hållbara Hökarängen. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-2016-PolicyBrief-RylanderAxelsson-HallbaraHokarangen.pdf

Chicago

Axelsson, Katarina. Hållbar stadsutveckling - erfarenheter från Hållbara Hökarängen. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2016. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-2016-PolicyBrief-RylanderAxelsson-HallbaraHokarangen.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Axelsson |first1=Katarina |title=Hållbar stadsutveckling - erfarenheter från Hållbara Hökarängen |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=2016 |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-2016-PolicyBrief-RylanderAxelsson-HallbaraHokarangen.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{axelsson2016hllbar, author = {Axelsson, Katarina}, title = {{Hållbar stadsutveckling - erfarenheter från Hållbara Hökarängen}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2016}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/SEI-2016-PolicyBrief-RylanderAxelsson-HallbaraHokarangen.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }