The requirements are actually about 20 higher

In the early 1990's, the Swedish city of Malmö has seen its economy collapse. Located right in front of Copenhagen, to which its population 290.000 are now connected by a bridge, the third city in Sweden through a dark period. Between 1992 and 1994, it has indeed lost a third of its jobs with the closure of the Kockums shipyard, and then of the Saab automobile factory, which had installed in their place on the site of Västra Hamnens (West Port). The municipality then decided to make it the responsibility of the transformation of Malmö into a post-industrial model city sustainable development. For the European Home Exhibition, which it hosts in 2001, she launches an architectural competition which buildings will be the first tranche of the new district of the West Port. Dubbed "Bo01" (for Bomässen, 2001), it combines architectural quality and environmental concerns.

The municipality of Malmö has invested some EUR 50 million and an estimated between 600 and 700 million euros the cost of construction of 200,000 square meters livable Bo01. "The idea was to a neighborhood where all the energy used is produced locally from renewable sources," says Eva Dalman, responsible for the "West Port" project in the city of Malmö. This is achieved through a contract with the German electrician E.ON, which locally ensures production with photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and pumps to heat. Satisfaction, even if homes are a little more hungry than expected. The original designers of the project were consumption of 105 kWh per square metre and per year. The requirements are actually about 20 higher.

Since 2001, two new blocks were under construction: Dockan, already carried out to the East, and Flagghusen, under construction, to the North. "It has wanted keep Bo01 environmental objectives but by democratizing in less luxurious buildings," says Eva Dalman. Important green spaces have thus preserved or created, onto the roofs which are, in part, vegetated. Only the requirement of energy self-sufficiency has been revised down to 60, as the road map must be respected without subsidies this time.

Functional diversity

The range downhill is intended to promote a certain social mix - was intended avoid Port West becoming a ghetto of rich - while functional diversity has been stimulated by the mixture of accommodation and facilities for professional use. "It is not spectacular as in Bo01." "It simply wants a planning to help people live well," summarizes Eva Dalman. Even if the economic crisis leads to a certain slowdown, the expected pace of construction of 500 housing and 300 professional space per year is maintained.

"One of the major issues, to the West Port, is its service by public transport, cars with limited access," says Stina Nilsson, responsible for project transport to the city of Malmö. The proximity of the station is an asset and municipal green rolling biogas buses already serve the area. A tram will be complete. Finally, the use of the bike is encouraged - the whole city is 420 km of cycle paths. And the municipality are currently discussed with some of the proponents for a "car share", in a fleet of cars in "car sharing", is included in the rent of some housing. "It must exploit patterns changes accompanying change of address," concludes Stina Nilsson.