What's new
Implementing Agenda 2030 through SymbioCityOver the past 10 years, we have been involved in supporting local governments in over 20 countries to develop inclusive and sustainable cities through SymbioCity. The programme has been funded by Sida and implemented by SKL International. Yesterday, we presented some of the results and experiences of this journey, but with the eyes set on the coming 10 years and the implementation of Agenda 2030.
Check out the publication here and the webinar here. 2021-02-16 
Inclusive Education in Duhok, IraqAll children in the Duhok region of Kurdistan, Iraq, including those with manageable disabilities and special needs, have equal access to quality education in mainstream schools. That’s the objective of a new partnership we’re working on with the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and the Duhok Directorate of Education. The project will pilot an approach to inclusive education suitable for Duhok and develop an agreed proposal for implementing across in the region.
2021-02-08 
New project CONEXUS gets started!Living Cities is partnering with 32 organisations, universities and city authorities from across Europe and Latin America to deliver CONEXUS: Co-producing nature based solutions and restored ecosystems - transdisciplinary nexus for urban sustainability. Through action research in 7 city living labs (Santiago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Torino, Lisbon and Barcelona), the project will research innovative, co-produced nature based solutions. Funded by the European Commission as part of Horizon 2020 and headed up by the University of Sheffield.
2020-09-09 
New Toolkit on Inclusive Urban Planning Launched!December 4th was the launch of a brand new planning toolkit in Nairobi, Kenya. We have worked really hard on this for the last 6 months and are super happy it is now public. The toolkit has been produced as a part of the SymbioCity Kenya Programme and draws on practical experiences from working with holistic and inclusive planning in seven pilot towns across Kenya. Check it out here: Planning Our Towns - A Toolkit for Inclusive Urban Development in Kenya.
2019-12-11 
Curious Community – a Turkish-Swedish partnershipLiving Cities participated in a Curious Community event on the theme Co-designing Cities; social aspects of urban development and how to create more inclusive urban spaces. Curious Community is organized by the transdisciplinary innovation platform ATÖLYE and 3dots in partnership with the Swedish Institute.
2019-03-28 
Pedalista speaks at the National Forum on Gender Equality!Living Cities was invited to present our initiative and methods for inclusive biking at the Swedish national Forum on Gender Equality in Luleå.
Along with transport researchers and public sector officials a discussion about gender equality integration of the transport sector and how to reach the SDGs followed. Pedalista offers practical tools to promote biking among new groups. Learn more at www.pedalista.se 2019-01-20 
Social Impact Assessment in WättingeStockholm’s first snowy morning turned into a lovely autumn day for our site analysis of Wättinge in Tyresö municipality. We’re undertaking a social impact assessment for Tyresö kommun to ensure the new urban area develops into a socially sustainable community that is inclusive, open and dynamic.
Socially sustainable Wättinge!Wättinge is a new development area in Tyresö that focuses on building a green and socially sustainable community that is inclusive, open and dynamic. A total of 800 new homes will be built here in the coming decade. The new area of Wättingebacken will link the important green, recreational corridor Wätttingestråket with the existing residential areas of Granängringen. Living Cities will be a project resource in the strategic project, acting as an advisor in social sustainability as the project develops.
05-09-2018 
Living Cities core team expanded!We expanded and had our 1st annual two days retreat in Visby, Gotland. A great opportunity to discuss our visions, missions and goals for the year to come. Stay tuned ! 😁
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A nature trail in TyresöWith children leading the way, Tyresö municipality has with support from the project Parkliv (Living Cities and SLU Alnarp) developed a small green forest located between two residential areas with different socioeconomic charactereristics. Minor elements to encourage play, movement and curiosity to nature have been added.
2021-05-28 
Bikeable CityLiving Cities has joined forces with a consortium of researchers, companies, municipalities, regions, and NGOs in a project consisting of several solutions that enable and favour the emergence of travel patterns at the district level, in which cycling becomes a dominant feature.
Bikeable city is coordinated by Trivector, with support from Vinnova. 2021-04-25 
Sustainability Programme for Trollbäcken centreWhat does Agenda 2030’s Goal 11 for Sustainable cities and communities mean for central Trollbäcken? We explored this question together with Tyresö kommun, local actors, developers and young people to develop a Sustainability Programme for future urban development. The programme includes a a set of 8 practical principles to ensure sustainability as the urban centre develops, covering sustainable mobility, inclusive meeting spaces, participation and equality, identity, circular economies, climate positive buildings, ecosystem services and a mix of housing.
2021-01-21 
We’ve joined forces......with a bunch of exciting organisations as part of Global Utmaning’s ”Local 2030 Hub” focused on sustainable urban development. The hub will support the local implementation of the SDGs here in Sweden as part of an international initiative. Read more here.
2020-05-20 Social analysis of public space
How can investment in public space increase social cohesion and empowerment? During fall 2019, we are conducting a site analysis focusing on social values and public space in Tumba and Storvreten, in Botkyrka Municipality. The result of our work will be a basis for the multi-year development plan that the municipality's area strategist is developing.
2019-10-01 
A new exciting collaboration between Living Cities, The Good Talents and Botkyrka municipalityHow can the paths leading towards work experience be shortened for youth in Botkyrka municipality? In collaboration with the social startup The Good Talents, Living Cities explores young persons’ desires, needs and challenges in getting employed. We involve youth – both immigrants and people born in Sweden – the municipality and potential employers to gain insights which can be converted in to practical action!
Urban Leadership Forum completed!Just concluded an Urban Leadership Forum in Nakuru with 65 decision-makers from across Kenya. We ended up with a 12 point resolution on how leadership can help the country transition into a sustainable urban future.
SymbioCity seminar with focus on issues of gender equality, poverty reduction and environmental resilience"Users of the Urban Systems are the inhabitants, they should be put in the center of the planning process." Helena Ohlsson, SKL International.
Last week we were at Sida's HQ to moderate the SymbioCity Seminar "How can cities achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?". With a focus on issues of gender equity, poverty reduction and environmental resilience the participants discussed the key challenges cities face in moving towards the fulfillment of SDGs. Did you miss it? No problem. Watch it here: secure.quickchannel.com/Qc/create/mainshow.asp?id=jv47v4 
Pop- up square in central TyresöIn central Tyresö, a municipality known for its natural environment and proximity to central Stockholm, a project is underway to transform the central bus terminal into a more people-friendly public space. During the years until the project is complete, the municipality aims to improve the public spaces in the area and bring life to the streets. Torg på prov, a pop-up square near the bus terminal opened in May 2018 for the summer months. Living Cities is helping the municipality with a community event at the square in September and also the reporting of the temporary space as a form of community engagement within the sustainable development model “Södertörnsmodellen”.
03-09-2018 
Bicycle workshop at HallundaWhat an amazing day!
Yesterday on #Worldbikeday, we were at the opening of Blåktlintsparken in Hallunda where we gave a hand to those who wanted to repair their bikes and feel the breeze on their faces again. The idea was to show how to identify a problem and fix it yourself. That’s why we had a dream team of professionals and volunteers. Thank you all that showed up! More events are coming soon. Stay tuned! 04-06-2018 |
Dialogue for gender equalityVätterstranden in Jönköping is a unique resource to the city with it’s long sandy beaches, walking lanes, activity spaces and restaurants. But what is most appreciated with the beach, and what can be improved in the future? Living Cities supports the municipality in conducting citizen dialogues with a gender equality focus.
2021-05-14 
Inclusive Cultural HeritageTogether with KMV Forum and the municipality of Kramfors, Living Cities is developing a toolbox aimed at making cultural heritage sites more accessible for people with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities, so they easier can both experience and contribute to the development of these. The project is funded by Sweden's innovation agency Vinnova.
2021-02-22 
Focus StumholmenLiving Cities has been assigned to support Karlskrona municipality and the National Property Board of Sweden in the development of Stumholmen as a world heritage destination.
As process leaders we will involve local actors and stakeholders and strengthen their participation and involvement the project. The assignment will result in an action plan with concrete proposals for activities for continued development that are rooted in local actors. 2020-12-18 
Spatial Equality in Haninge municipalityWith the goal to create an equal physical environment, the project “Spatial equality” aims to challenge the current processes and norms in urban planning that makes the city excluding. Together with the municipality of Haninge, we are developing an inclusive planning process that is based on a norm-critical and intersectional perspective. The project is funded by VINNOVA.
2020-04-09 
Welcome Tobias!!!We are superduperhappy to announce that Tobias Lind has joined Living Cities!!! Tobias previously worked with Stockholmshem where he, among many things, was responsible for the urban transformation project Bagarmossen Smartup. In our team, Tobias will be working with social sustainability, co-creation and placemaking. Give him a shout if you want to have coffee with him. First cup is on us!
2019-05-06 
Eat Smart Challenge 2019Get inspired and explore food and the way you eat!
Together with the Swedish Institute, we are organizing a seven-day challenge to eat sustainably and smart. The purpose of the challenge is to encourage awareness about food and its effect on the environment. Challenge yourself along with your friends to make daily changes in your food habits. During seven days and seven inspiring challenges, you will explore how to eat more sustainably. Sign up here: http://eat-smart.confetti.events 2019-04-01 
Living Cities wins new Vinnova grant! Tools for Inclusion and Accessibility in Urban Green AreasLiving Cities and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences are working together on an exciting project that will develop tools for participation and co-creation in the planning, design and management of urban green areas. Urban green spaces are important for health and wellbeing, and all people have a right to feel welcome, safe and to use these spaces without fear, anxiety or stress. This project will develop solutions for increased and equal accessibility to green spaces in collaboration with groups who currently experience barriers to access. The 4-year project is funded by Vinnova within the program "Innovations for a Sustainable Society 2018"
2018-11-12 
What does mobility, climate and social sustainability have in common?Living Cities and the communication agency Big Words are supporting Botkyrka municipality with knowledge and innovative strategies to make walking, biking and public transport more attractive and accessible for the sake of the climate, the city and different groups of citizens!
New ADB assignment on Slum Upgrading in Indonesia!ADB’s South East Asia Urban Development and Water Division (SEUW) is formulating a loan targeting slum alleviation in Indonesia. Living Cities provides conceptual support for the design of the project by providing inputs to: best practices compilation and comparison; concept design and development; and review of outputs of financed consultants.
Pedalista supports Cykellänken!Pedalista organized a workshop in Ryd, Linköping to explore fantastic and realistic ideas on how to get more (and new!) people on the bike and to use the new bike path Cykellänken. Ten central stakeholders from local housing companies, the municipality and civil society were there to bring knowledge, ideas and resources to the table. Soon – Cykellänken is to be launched!
A series of bike training workshops begin!Education of new biking trainers! Next week, women in Hallunda and Norsborg will start practicing the art of biking. The training is an initiative by Pedalista and Botkyrka municipality, in collaboration with Cykelfrämjandet and Botkyrkabyggen. Oh - if you want to participate as an assistant coach - give us a hint!
Breaking news!Living Cities was awarded "Årets Företagare" (Company/Entrepreneurs of the Year) in Stockholm 2018. We're super proud, humbled and grateful for this and will do everything we can to live up to the title in the years to come. Thanks to all for rooting for us ❤
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