A European city is setting new standards in sustainable urban development with the construction of the world’s largest wooden city, covering 2.7 million square feet, in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Stockholm Wood City project will use mass timber to create thousands of homes and offices, integrating environmental innovation into every aspect of city life.
Newsweek contacted developer Atrium Ljungberg for more information on the story via email.
Why it Matters
The construction and real estate sector is responsible for nearly 37 percent of global carbon emissions, according to industry estimates. The Stockholm Wood City project aims to demonstrate how mass timber construction can dramatically reduce environmental impact while delivering comfortable, modern living and working environments.
What To Know
The Stockholm Wood City, spearheaded by developer Atrium Ljungberg, is being erected in Sickla, a former industrial area south of Stockholm’s center. The development will combine residential, commercial, and public spaces spanning 250,000 square meters, or approximately 2.7 million square feet.
The initiative, with an investment of around $1.25 billion, features 7,000 office spaces, 2,000 homes, schools, and retail outlets, all built primarily with cross-laminated timber.
Construction is set to begin in 2025, with the first phase, including “Kvarter 7″—an 80-apartment residential block—targeted for completion by late 2025. More residences and an office block are planned by 2027.
Engineered wood, specifically mass timber, is expected to cut emissions compared to standard construction materials.
According to a USDA Forest Service study published in 2024, timber buildings generate “at least 81 percent lower global warming potential than concrete and 76% lower than steel” builds.
Glulam components are used extensively throughout the site, from the structural frames to floor slabs and staircases.
What People Are Saying
Atrium Ljungberg’s CEO, Annica Ånäs, told Axios in a 2023 interview: “I am convinced that we will see more such projects across the world.
“I just think people need to see examples of it. Now when they do, I am 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 timber construction, the project entails a number of additional environmental benefits.
“The focus on office space is a means of addressing the shortage of workplaces south of Stockholm’s inner city, thus shortening commuting times for more people. The project’s climate impact is also minimised through internally produced, stored and shared energy. Focus is on internally produced, stored and shared energy. This is achieved in part through extensive rooftop solar arrays with batteries, together with underground borehole energy storage for heating and cooling.”
What Happens Next
The Stockholm Wood City project is on track to begin construction in 2025, fueled by Sweden’s forestry resources and its tradition of timber building. Upon completion, it is expected to serve as a large-scale demonstration of low-carbon urban development.
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