Västerås (SE)

Urban City Strategy

Västerås is growing and within thirty years from now the population is estimated to have grown to 230 000 people. Mälarporten is an important area in the development of Västerås, with its location close to the city center, Lake Mälaren and important public transportations nodes. Mälarporten offers amazing possibilities to create an entirely new neighbourhood that is both innovative and sustainable for the future.The area today consists of inaccessible land, offices and industries that in the future will host 6-7000 housing units and 10 000 workplaces in well-designed living environments. A new transportation hub will simplify travels to and within Västerås, and also strengthen the link between the city center and the water.

Site Definition

The competition task is linked to the theme of Living City by focusing on the time for completion of the area, which is estimated to take 25 years. Throughout the construction process, the area must be attractive and vibrant with social aspects and sustainability in focus.
The competition task is to develop flexible solutions, that create attractiveness and activity for those who pass through and visit the area today, as well as for those who move in early. It is important that the solutions are connected and linked to a unifying theme that makes the area feel like a city district from the beginning. The proposals need to show a clear concept that builds on and develops the identity of the area. Well-planned temporary architecture, buildings, parks and places aid in creating a safe and attractive neighborhood and bring forth commitment and pride during the long and complex construction period. The solutions can be both site specific and flexible. They could be rebuildable with add-ons so that they can be moved around in the area as it is being built, and at the same time create character, excitement and new dynamics.

How Must Metabolism and Inclusivity Be Developed and Connected?

In order to reach the goals in the Paris agreement and Agenda 2030 we need a powerful readjustment of our cities. This means that we need new ways of thinking and to take many steps forward within a short period of time. The city of Västerås wants Mälarporten to be one of the projects that shows us how.
The same high ambitions that are formulated for the entire project of Mälarporten should be aspired to also during the planning and construction period. The city of Västerås wants to show how it is possible to, in a dynamic way, fill an area that today is perceived as deserted and impersonal, with new life and meetings between people.
It is important that the area attracts many different target groups and not just those who move in early. The area must provide places for everyone and attract people from all over Västerås and beyond. Important aspects are accessibility, inclusion, creativity and safety in order to create a viable city where people want to be and feel welcome.
The transformation should grow and develop out of people’s needs. The area should be developed together with the inhabitants who will be cocreators. Children and young people are designated target groups to visit and discover the area today, for growing up here, and for choosing to move here when they grow up.
It will not only be the people that give life to the area. Today there is no greenery and the area consists of impermeable land. In order for the city to become alive and sustainable, these areas need to be converted and introduced with new vegetation and biodiversity in order to create a city that is green and resilient to climate change.