A Lagom City : The CV area in Örebro as a Model for Sustainable Growth in Medium Sized Cities CV area, Örebro, Sweden
(2025) ASBM01 20251Department of Architecture and Built Environment
- Abstract
- When discussing urban planning and design, the focus often shifts toward large, overcrowded cities that require continuous improvements to remain competitive on the global economic map. However, smaller cities, while not classified as major metropolises, also play a significant role in urban development. These cities accommodate thousands of residents and have maintained their stability over the years, yet they are frequently overlooked in planning discussions.
The initial motivation for this research was to explore why people choose to live in medium-sized cities like Örebro rather than in overcrowded metropolitan areas or smaller rural towns. Many residents seek a higher quality of life, avoiding the congestion and high costs of larger... (More) - When discussing urban planning and design, the focus often shifts toward large, overcrowded cities that require continuous improvements to remain competitive on the global economic map. However, smaller cities, while not classified as major metropolises, also play a significant role in urban development. These cities accommodate thousands of residents and have maintained their stability over the years, yet they are frequently overlooked in planning discussions.
The initial motivation for this research was to explore why people choose to live in medium-sized cities like Örebro rather than in overcrowded metropolitan areas or smaller rural towns. Many residents seek a higher quality of life, avoiding the congestion and high costs of larger cities while still benefiting from job opportunities and urban amenities that are often unavailable in rural areas. This balance between livability and economic opportunity highlights the importance of medium-sized cities in urban planning and regional development.
Örebro, a medium-sized city in Sweden, serves as an ideal case study for understanding the dynamics of urban development in similar-sized cities.
My interest in this topic deepened after reading Örebro Municipality’s vision to become Scandinavia’s most attractive medium-sized city. This statement raises several key questions that this project aims to explore through research and a design proposal:
•How can a medium-sized city be competitive and livable?
•What should urban planners consider when designing for this scale?
•How can such a city grow sustainably while preserving its character?
By addressing these questions in a theoretical context, this research will establish a foundation for understanding the role of medium-sized cities. While these questions are explored through a theoretical framework, equal focus is placed on a design proposal. This thesis uses Örebro, as a case study to examine how cities of this scale can grow sustainably without losing their identity. The project focuses on the CV area, an industrial zone in the heart of the city with strong transformation potential. The proposal aims to transform this area into a vibrant, mixed-use urban district that strengthens the city core, and contributes to long-term sustainability goals. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9209992
- author
- Constantinide, Ioanna LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- ASBM01 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- medium-sized cities, sustainable development, balance, livability, Örebro, Sweden
- language
- English
- id
- 9209992
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-21 09:53:49
- date last changed
- 2025-08-21 09:53:49
@misc{9209992,
abstract = {{When discussing urban planning and design, the focus often shifts toward large, overcrowded cities that require continuous improvements to remain competitive on the global economic map. However, smaller cities, while not classified as major metropolises, also play a significant role in urban development. These cities accommodate thousands of residents and have maintained their stability over the years, yet they are frequently overlooked in planning discussions.
The initial motivation for this research was to explore why people choose to live in medium-sized cities like Örebro rather than in overcrowded metropolitan areas or smaller rural towns. Many residents seek a higher quality of life, avoiding the congestion and high costs of larger cities while still benefiting from job opportunities and urban amenities that are often unavailable in rural areas. This balance between livability and economic opportunity highlights the importance of medium-sized cities in urban planning and regional development.
Örebro, a medium-sized city in Sweden, serves as an ideal case study for understanding the dynamics of urban development in similar-sized cities.
My interest in this topic deepened after reading Örebro Municipality’s vision to become Scandinavia’s most attractive medium-sized city. This statement raises several key questions that this project aims to explore through research and a design proposal:
•How can a medium-sized city be competitive and livable?
•What should urban planners consider when designing for this scale?
•How can such a city grow sustainably while preserving its character?
By addressing these questions in a theoretical context, this research will establish a foundation for understanding the role of medium-sized cities. While these questions are explored through a theoretical framework, equal focus is placed on a design proposal. This thesis uses Örebro, as a case study to examine how cities of this scale can grow sustainably without losing their identity. The project focuses on the CV area, an industrial zone in the heart of the city with strong transformation potential. The proposal aims to transform this area into a vibrant, mixed-use urban district that strengthens the city core, and contributes to long-term sustainability goals.}},
author = {{Constantinide, Ioanna}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{A Lagom City : The CV area in Örebro as a Model for Sustainable Growth in Medium Sized Cities CV area, Örebro, Sweden}},
year = {{2025}},
}