Kalgane

The development of Kalgane is a large and ambitious urban development project where housing quality, car-free city life, meeting places, urban farming, biodiversity, and youth services are just some of the key elements. The project has been developed in collaboration with the architectural group Cubus.

Located near the Lagunen light rail stop, the project facilitates approximately 300 new housing units in a diverse and vibrant neighborhood. The development will play a central role in transforming the area around Lagunen from a shopping center into a neighborhood center that will be the focal point of the district. Consequently, the project is about creating a sense of belonging and place identity for an entirely new neighborhood.

The main approach in the rezoning of Kalgane stems from a desire to preserve more of the existing landscape than the current area plan accounts for. Let the (Kalga) hill live! This has resulted in a central nature park where the existing terrain has dictated the design. In the park, natural terrain and vegetation are preserved while new qualities and functions are added to the area. The result is a unique landscape space with a clear identity. The housing project emerges from here.

The square in the south connects to the existing urban space and shopping center. This is the outward-facing area where the residential zone and the “city” meet. Here, an activity house aimed at children and youth will be established, featuring a library, café, youth club, and spaces for creative and physical activities. The internal road from the area plan is transformed into a car-free street, with vehicles relocated underground.

The backbone of the project consists of three central urban spaces: the park, the street, and the square. Each of these spaces has its own distinct character and role within the project, and they are interconnected through public walkways and paths. The new residences are situated in, adjacent to, and around these urban spaces. Each part of the area has a unique local identity and distinct qualities, with the interaction between buildings and outdoor spaces being unique to each structure. Overall, the residential area places a strong emphasis on communal spaces.

Vehicles are directed underground directly from the Sørås intersection in the north, while the ground level area is predominantly car-free. Proximity to public transport (both train and bus), bicycle paths, and pedestrian walkways provides favorable conditions for opting out of car use. Goods delivery and waste management are also handled underground, with separate access from the Lagunen shopping center’s delivery area.

The interactions between buildings and their surroundings create urban spaces in the form of parks, streets, squares, and public walkways. The residences are situated in, adjacent to, and around these urban spaces. Each part of the area has its own identity, contributing to a diverse neighborhood. The overall result is a residential area where communal spaces are the backbone.

The project explores how to foster a sense of ownership among new residents, not only for their own homes but for the place as a whole. Kalgane aims to become a project where people don’t just move into a residence, but into a neighborhood. Therefore, the approach prioritizes community first.