The greener center project
The greener center project: A sustainable and inclusive experience for all
The Greener Center project aims to transform Orsa’s central square by introducing sustainable and green solutions. The redesign will close off a road to traffic, improving safety and pedestrian access. The project adds greenery, trees, and biodiversity, creating a welcoming, eco-friendly space. It also focuses on social interaction by providing gathering spots. Collaboration with residents, businesses, and officials ensures the project reflects community needs while promoting sustainability and
Sweden
Slipstenstorget Orsa
Prototype level
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
2034: Orsa (SE)
The purpose of this project is to transform Slipsten Square in Orsa into a green oasis, creating an inviting and inclusive space for gatherings, recreation, and cultural experiences. By integrating nature, music, and local history, the project aims to develop a place that encourages both residents and visitors to spend time, play, and participate in events throughout the year.
The square is to become a vibrant and sustainable meeting place that promotes social interaction and a sense of community. By using greenery and spatial design elements, the project will create an environment that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. A focus on sustainability will ensure the long-term goal of making Orsa’s town center a more pleasant and welcoming space for both locals and visitors.
The project targets a broad audience, including people of all ages, both locals and tourists. The space will be designed to be accessible and appealing to everyone, regardless of age or background, offering a place for both relaxation and activity. The inclusive environment and greenery will provide a space for connection and cultural exchange.
Through the creation of a green and sustainable space, enriched with elements of music, nature, and history, the project aims to become a central gathering place for Orsa, strengthening the local community and enhancing the town’s appeal to visitors.
The square is to become a vibrant and sustainable meeting place that promotes social interaction and a sense of community. By using greenery and spatial design elements, the project will create an environment that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. A focus on sustainability will ensure the long-term goal of making Orsa’s town center a more pleasant and welcoming space for both locals and visitors.
The project targets a broad audience, including people of all ages, both locals and tourists. The space will be designed to be accessible and appealing to everyone, regardless of age or background, offering a place for both relaxation and activity. The inclusive environment and greenery will provide a space for connection and cultural exchange.
Through the creation of a green and sustainable space, enriched with elements of music, nature, and history, the project aims to become a central gathering place for Orsa, strengthening the local community and enhancing the town’s appeal to visitors.
Sustainability
Greenery
Social interaction
Biodiversity
Cultural link
By creating a green oasis in the center that invites meetings between people, generations, locals, and visitors, we are building a more socially sustainable Orsa. The vegetation will consist of mixed plantings to create variation and promote biodiversity. Local plants will be used to enhance the natural species diversity.
The new square will become a meeting place with space for recreation, socializing, play, and events. The local culture will be made visible through decorations and embellishments of seating areas, benches, spatial dividers, lighting, play areas, and a stage. Music, nature, and cultural history from Orsa are the inspiration for the design, connecting the different parts of the area. The square will become an inviting and safe place where people want to be, regardless of who they are.
In the different phases of the project, great consideration has been given to accessibility. The Pensioners' and Accessibility Council has been involved in the dialogue from the start. Similarly, perspectives from young people, business owners, and other groups have been incorporated into the work. The focus has been on creating environments that are safe, accessible, and appealing to many.
The project has been characterized by dialogue with various stakeholders. Businesses that are directly and indirectly affected by the design of the square have been involved. Young people from the local secondary school have worked on their dream square during art lessons. A survey was conducted to gather the public's feedback and ideas, with the option to respond both digitally and physically. Various interest groups have participated in discussions about the design, decoration, and planning of the new square, such as the Pensioners' and Accessibility Council, Orsa Art Association, the local tourism network Visit Orsa, the business organization Företagarna, and representatives from the surrounding villages.
The project will create a green oasis in the center that all residents and visitors can enjoy for recreation and socializing. It will also become a place that encourages and provides the opportunity to develop events, such as cultural activities like music or theater, markets and square trading, or exhibitions.
The project will create a green oasis in the center that all residents and visitors can enjoy for recreation and socializing. It will also become a place that encourages and provides the opportunity to develop events, such as cultural activities like music or theater, markets and square trading, or exhibitions.
The Greener Center project has primarily involved stakeholders at the local level. However, many different parties have been engaged in the development locally; residents, young people, associations, politicians, municipal officials, and many businesses from the local economy. Meetings for dialogue, idea development, and securing support have been held with all these groups, both individually and together.
Much local knowledge and experience have been used in the work. Local contracting companies have been involved in planning and designing the square’s different 'rooms', gathering areas, and passages. Garden centers and florists from the area have contributed to planning the vegetation with a focus on biodiversity and local roots. The Art Association and the cultural center have played a key role in connecting the project to local culture and history. Additionally, the valuable input from all residents of Orsa today, both young and old, has been essential in creating the new square they want. This broad dialogue and knowledge gathering have given the project a strong local foundation and many positive collaboration benefits.
The project is unique in that it involves a large collaboration and invitation for engagement from many different parties; residents of Orsa, entrepreneurs, associations, and politicians. This has created a strong sense of ownership and development. Here, culture and community development have worked together to create an environment that is both functional, pleasant, and offers opportunities for cultural expression, such as performances for exampel. The connection to Orsa's cultural heritage is also strong.
The work has been characterized by transparent and open dialogue, where many parties, within the municipality, among businesses and organizations, as well as the population, have had the opportunity to provide input and share ideas throughout the project. A project manager oversees the work and creates the foundation for discussion and decision-making. Local politicians have been regularly informed and have been part of the decision-making process.
As part of the project, a new town development council has been established with participants from cultural associations, businesses, schools, and interest groups such as retirees and people with disabilities, along with municipal officials. The project leader has informed and engaged in dialogue about the project in many different forums: business breakfasts, soup lunches for businesses and associations, tourism networks, and music workshops for exampel.
As part of the project, a new town development council has been established with participants from cultural associations, businesses, schools, and interest groups such as retirees and people with disabilities, along with municipal officials. The project leader has informed and engaged in dialogue about the project in many different forums: business breakfasts, soup lunches for businesses and associations, tourism networks, and music workshops for exampel.
The broad dialogue and local anchoring are important aspects of the work that other municipalities could learn from and be inspired by.
The project aims to promote sustainability, both socially and environmentally. This is achieved by introducing trees, greenery, and biodiversity into the center, thus creating a better environment. It also involves the square's new design, which will encourage social interaction and provide a safe space for residents, both old and young.
In the implementation of the 'Greener Center' project, the entire square will be rebuilt based on a new landscape design. A road will be closed to car traffic to create a more cohesive and safer square. Environments will be built and vegetation will be introduced.
In the next step, the development will extend outward from the square. This will be done through continued dialogues with all the groups that have been involved and engaged in step 1, in order to create a center that everyone in Orsa can be proud of.
The project focuses on sustainability, both environmentally and socially, in line with the NEB values. Collaboration has always been a cornerstone of the development. Residents of Orsa have been able to share ideas and provide input both digitally and at meetings. Businesses and associations have worked alongside municipal officials and politicians in the process. Biodiversity and greenery have always been a key focus, as well as building a social gathering point.
In the next step, the development will extend outward from the square. This will be done through continued dialogues with all the groups that have been involved and engaged in step 1, in order to create a center that everyone in Orsa can be proud of.
The project focuses on sustainability, both environmentally and socially, in line with the NEB values. Collaboration has always been a cornerstone of the development. Residents of Orsa have been able to share ideas and provide input both digitally and at meetings. Businesses and associations have worked alongside municipal officials and politicians in the process. Biodiversity and greenery have always been a key focus, as well as building a social gathering point.
