Upplands Väsby
Upplands Väsby Charrette
The municipality of Upplands Väsby, lying approximately 30km north of Stockholm, is a growing town of around 40,000 people currently and one looking to transform its image. A new sustainable neighbourhood called Väsby Sjöstad is proposed to accommodate in part the expanding population. The municipality was keen to involve the local community in creating the Vision for Väsby Sjöstad and so commissioned JTP with local partners People Owned to organise and facilitate the community charrette.
Public Workshops Friday 7th and Saturday 8th October
Over people 120 people participated in workshops that began with an assessment of what people valued about their town as well as its problems. Väsby's easy access to Arlanda airport, Stockholm and nearby forests were identified as key assets but the town's lack of facilities, poor educational standards and noise from airplanes, motorways and railways were seen as significant problems. Further workshops focused on how aspirations for growth could be balanced against potential loss of valued forest habitat. Parallel workshops explored ideas for sustainable development and established some key principles to guide consultants in drawing up more detailed plans for expansion of the town.
Team Working
Following the workshops the consultant team focused on recording and analysing all the views expressed over the weekend. A small group re-visited the forest with a local guide to gain a better understanding of the different ecological areas within it as well as its recreational routes. Others visited the lakeside harbour to meet users of the local boat club and equestrian centre within the existing nature reserve.
The design team then set to work to develop a concept masterplan. Ideas generated in the public workshops were drawn up and discussed with officers from the municipality. The emerging masterplan is based on the following principles:
- Ensuring good public transport connections to the town
- Avoiding dependency on the private car
- Planning for social infrastructure
- Enhancing the recreational value of the forest
- Protecting as much of the forest as possible, particularly the areas of higher ecological value, and
- Improving public access to the waterfront.
The results of the Charrette were reported back to the community on Wednesday 12th October.
You can download a PDF of the Report Back Broadsheet in Swedish or English on the right-hand side.
