{"id":88468,"date":"2025-01-22T07:23:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T07:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tin.happy-projects.ro\/sweden-builds-the-worlds-largest-timber-city\/"},"modified":"2025-09-18T17:29:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:29:38","slug":"sweden-builds-the-worlds-largest-timber-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timberindustrynews.com\/ro\/sweden-builds-the-worlds-largest-timber-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweden builds the world\u2019s largest timber city"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sweden is revolutionizing urban development with Stockholm Wood City<\/em>, the world's largest construction project made entirely from wood. Located in the Sickla district on the outskirts of Stockholm, this ambitious endeavor aims to redefine sustainability in construction by replacing steel and concrete with engineered mass timber.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project, spearheaded by property developer Atrium Ljungberg, began in October 2024 and is set to deliver 2,000 new homes, a high school, and 7,000 office spaces by 2027. The development also includes rooftop gardens, solar panels, and \u201cpocket parks\u201d to enhance biodiversity and livability.<\/p>\n

Why timber?<\/h4>\n

Mass timber, particularly cross-laminated timber (CLT), offers both environmental and structural advantages. CLT is a renewable material made from layered wooden panels bonded at right angles, providing strength comparable to steel or concrete. Its use reduces carbon emissions during construction, as it is lighter, faster to assemble, and stores carbon absorbed by trees during their growth.<\/p>\n

Sweden's abundant forests, covering 70% of the country, ensure a sustainable supply of wood. Since enacting compulsory reforestation in 1903, Sweden has grown more forests than it has harvested, reinforcing the viability of timber as a long-term construction material.<\/p>\n

Setting global benchmarks<\/h4>\n

Scandinavia has long led the charge in sustainable wooden construction. Norway\u2019s Mj\u00f8st\u00e5rnet<\/em>, completed in 2019, remains one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world. Finland\u2019s Helsinki boasts an entirely wooden district, and Skellefte\u00e5 in northern Sweden gained international recognition with the opening of its wooden hotel and cultural center in 2022.<\/p>\n

Stockholm Wood City, however, stands out due to its unprecedented scale and mixed-use design. Atrium Ljungberg envisions the project as a model for sustainable urban living. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about wood; it\u2019s about creating a liveable, sustainable city,\u201d says H\u00e5kan Hyllengren, the project\u2019s business development director.<\/p>\n

Fire safety, a concern<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite its benefits, wooden construction faces hurdles. Fire safety remains a concern for many, but stringent Nordic building regulations and innovations like CLT\u2019s natural fire resistance\u2014charred outer layers limit flame spread\u2014help address these fears. Additionally, while engineered wood is about 10% more expensive than traditional materials, savings in construction time and labor often offset the initial costs.<\/p>\n

Environmentalists, like Lena Dahl from WWF Sweden, support the trend toward timber but caution against biodiversity risks from excessive logging. Atrium Ljungberg emphasizes its commitment to sourcing wood sustainably and adopting practices to mitigate such concerns.<\/p>\n

A brighter future<\/h4>\n

Stockholm Wood City embodies more than just an architectural feat\u2014it represents a shift toward sustainability and well-being. Research suggests that wooden environments can reduce stress and improve mental health, while construction workers note the quieter, brighter, and more pleasant atmosphere of timber projects compared to concrete.<\/p>\n

Sweden\u2019s wooden building revolution is reshaping the construction landscape, setting a powerful example for global cities. As Hyllengren puts it, \u201cStockholm Wood City will be an international showcase of what\u2019s possible when sustainability and innovation come together.\u201d<\/p>\n