A European city establishes new standards in sustainable urban development with the construction of the largest wooden city in the world, covering 2.7 million square feet in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Stockholm Wood City project will use mass wood to create thousands of houses and offices, integrating environmental innovation in all aspects of urban life.
Nowsweek The developer contacted Atrium Ljungberg for more information on history by e-mail.
Why it matters
The construction and real estate sector is responsible for almost 37% of world carbon emissions, according to industry estimates. The Stockholm Wood City project aims to demonstrate how wooden mass construction can considerably reduce the environmental impact while offering comfortable and modern and work environments.
What to know
The Stockholm Wood City, led by the developer Atrium Ljungberg, is erected in Sickla, an old industrial zone south of the center of Stockholm. Development will combine residential, commercial and public spaces covering 250,000 square meters, or around 2.7 million square feet.
The initiative, with an investment of around $ 1.25 billion, includes 7,000 office spaces, 2,000 houses, schools and outlets, all built with wood in Lamit-Lami.
A rendering of the city of Stockholm Wood, which will be built from wood in Sweden.
Atrium Ljungberg
Construction should start in 2025, with the first phase, including “Kvarter 7” – a residential block at 80 acartments – targeted for completion by the end of 2025. More residences and an office building are planned by 2027.
Engineering wood, in particular mass wood, should reduce emissions compared to standard building materials.
According to a study by the USDA forest service published in 2024, wooden buildings generate “at least 81% of global warming potential than concrete and 76% lower than that of steel”.
Glulam components are widely used throughout the site, structural frames with floor slabs and stairs.
What people say
Atrium CEO Ljungberg, Annica Ånäs, told Axios in an interview in 2023: “I am convinced that we will see more such projects around the world.
“I just think people need to see examples. Now when they do, I’m sure they will be inspired.”
In a statement on their website, Atrium Ljunberg said: “Stockholm Wood City marks a new era for sustainable architecture and urban development. Aside from the construction of wood, the project involves a number of additional environmental advantages.
“The emphasis on the office space is a way to approach the shortage of workplaces south of the city center of Stockholm, which thus shortened turnipping times for more people. The climate impact of the project is also minimized by the energy produced, stored and shared internally.
What happens next
The Stockholm Wood City project is on the right track to start construction in 2025, fueled by Sweden forest resources and its wooden construction tradition. At the end, it should serve as a large -scale demonstration of urban development with a low carbon content.