Skellefteå's Prominent Position: Soaring Heights in Lumberland

In the heart of Sweden, the city of Skellefteå is making waves as a beacon of sustainability and innovation. Known for its rich history of wood construction, the city has evolved into a hub of green energy and modern technology.

Skellefteå's buildings, from the towering Sara kulturhus to humble offices and homes, are predominantly made of wood. This traditional material, sourced sustainably from local spruce and fir forests, is supplemented with steel and glass for foundational pins and windows.

The city's commitment to sustainability is evident in its power supply. Skellefteå Kraft, the local power producer, ensures that the city is 100% powered by "green energy from the air and water." This commitment to renewable energy sources is a key factor in attracting companies like Northvolt AB, a Swedish manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries.

Northvolt AB, founded by former Tesla executives, chose Skellefteå for its gigafactory due to the city's abundant resources, cooperative municipal authority, and robust logistical and transport links. By 2025, Northvolt's plant will employ 3,500 people to make EV batteries and recycle them with their Revolt venture.

The city's focus on sustainability is not just limited to energy and industry. Skellefteå's new motto is "A sustainable city for a better daily life," reflecting its commitment to creating a livable and attractive environment for its residents. The city is investing in capital projects such as schools to support a growing population and is hoping to grow from 73,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 100,000 by 2041.

Modern methods of construction with wood can curb costs and reduce construction time, making it an attractive option for builders. This flexibility, combined with the material's reusability and quiet nature, makes wood an advantageous choice.

Skellefteå's relationship with timber has led to the growth of a local industry and Research Institute. The city is part of Wood City Sweden, an organization funded by the government to share its knowledge with other municipalities. This sharing of expertise has helped Skellefteå become a technological vanguard of Sweden.

The city's strategic approach aims to make it a place where people want to live and work. This strategy, formulated in 2014, was a response to Skellefteå's declining population due to outwards migration and an ageing demographic. The design for the Sara kulturhus, an 80-metre-high skyscraper opened in 2021, was decided by an architecture competition, with the majority of proposals being wooden constructions.

Skellefteå's journey towards sustainability is not without challenges. Unlike some other cities, Skellefteå has not made a commitment to build a certain percentage of buildings from wood. Instead, they have shared their story about the forest and the industry to create a shared identity that underpins the prominence of timber-based projects.

The city's success in handling resources efficiently and in a low-impact way has extended to other industries. The concrete industry in Skellefteå is moving towards becoming fossil-free, a testament to the city's commitment to sustainability.

Government backing has been instrumental in Skellefteå's growth. This support has bankrolled mobility infrastructure such as the new Norrbotniabanan coastal railway, expected to open up the city to tourism and further investment.

In conclusion, Skellefteå's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community spirit makes it a city worth watching. Its story serves as an inspiration for other municipalities seeking to create a greener and more sustainable future.

Skellefteå's Prominent Position: Soaring Heights in Lumberland