Sustainable Stockholm and the Road to Net-Zero Housing

Date: 04/06/24

Last month, iON consultants John Evison and Julian Ransom joined the National Housing Maintenance Forum (NHMF) study tour in Stockholm, Sweden. As an NHMF committee member, Julian was instrumental in developing a packed itinerary that provided an insight into the city’s housing model, recent and future urban developments, and next-level sustainable living initiatives. 

NHMF study tours provide unique opportunities to consider alternative methods of managing, maintaining, refurbishing and constructing property. Given the challenges facing the UK in terms of housing demand and sustainability targets, this year's study tour to Stockholm proved particularly relevant. Despite rising house prices and construction costs, Sweden has remained committed to sustainable building practices and energy-efficient housing aimed at improving living standards and social integration.

John and Julian joined a cohort of property managers, researchers, academics and fellow professionals, and met representatives from tenant organisations. Over the course of three days, they explored historic sites dating back to the 13th century and visited flagship urban regeneration projects that are catalysts for sustainable living. They also attended insightful seminars, including one that focused on the way Sweden is using AI to achieve better outcomes. 

A Blueprint for Sustainable Living 

Hammarby Sjöstad is one of Stockholm's largest urban regeneration projects, developed over 13 years. Once a heavily polluted harbour area, this 200-hectare district is now home to a thriving community of 28,000 residents, 10,000 workers and abundant wildlife. The Hammarby model optimises resources and minimises waste. Every aspect of the development, including layout, architecture, infrastructure and facilities, works synergistically, resulting in a 50% reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions compared to the average new development in Sweden. 

Hammarby Sjöstad was developed as the blueprint for sustainable living. However, various issues, including insufficient technical maintenance, have resulted in some buildings consuming more energy than originally intended. ElectriCITY is a citizen-led initiative that aims to reduce the climate footprint through collaboration with companies, researchers and the wider city. ElectriCITY works with housing associations and residents to set climate targets at the district level and implement energy- and climate-saving measures. The district now features several test sites for smart energy, sustainable transportation, and a sharing economy. These efforts aim to help Hammarby become climate neutral by 2030 and Stockholm become a fossil-free city by 2040. 

Reflecting on the development, John said: “Hammarby Sjöstad presents a truly exciting sustainability model, albeit not one easily applied to the UK housing market. The concept of eco-districts is still relatively new, and in our cultural landscape, resistance to radical change is a realistic hurdle. Balancing sustainability with the cost of ongoing maintenance adds another layer of complexity, particularly in the social housing sector. However, these challenges must be overcome. Hammarby Sjöstad is proof that progress is possible when all stakeholders are united in their commitment to sustainability. At iON Consultants, we firmly advocate for the integration of sustainable technologies in both new build and retrofit projects.  

District Heating Networks 

Over 80% of dwellings in greater Stockholm are connected to district heat networks fuelled by biomass or HP technology. Deploying effective heating networks in place of individual home heating systems is essential for promoting energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and creating sustainable communities. 

AI's Sustainable Impact on Stockholm's Housing Sector 

Stockholm's housing sector is using artificial intelligence (AI) to increase efficiency and transparency. The use of AI for mass data collection and forecasting is driving sustainable investment decisions. It is also optimising building operations, reducing costs and improving the tenant experience.? 

Commenting on the integration of new technologies, Julian said: "AI is helping Stockholm achieve its goals of creating a greener, more efficient future for housing. It was interesting to see this in action during our study tour. Pooling data, knowledge and innovative strategies is no less important in the world of compliance than it is in net-zero carbon roadmaps. It's something we should all consider using as we move closer to the construction industry's target of net zero emissions by 2050." 

Navigating the Path to Net-Zero 

Stockholm's achievements in reducing its use of fossil fuels are impressive and ongoing. This progress began in response to the OPEC oil embargoes of the early 1970s and has continued for decades. The UK faces an enormous task in reaching net zero by 2050. This ambitious goal will require a comprehensive and collaborative effort, involving governments, industry, academia, investors and citizens. Only through truly joined-up thinking can we hope to meet the challenge ahead. 

Achieving the UK's 2050 net-zero targets will require a significant effort, covering over 80% of the country's homes and public buildings. Considering the disruption caused by legacy asbestos materials, integrating updated compliance processes within the forthcoming net-zero retrofit programmes is imperative. At iON Consultants, we have effectively managed numerous asbestos incidents during ongoing building improvement programmes. Such a proactive approach is essential to maintaining a positive safety culture in the sector's forthcoming improvement programmes. 

Making Connections 

As well as gaining valuable insight into a highly sustainable housing model, John and Julian also made meaningful industry connections that will help promote the development of safe, sustainable housing. Here at iON Consultants, we prioritise the ongoing professional development of our team. Attending study tours and industry talks are just some of the ways we keep abreast of the latest regulations, technologies and innovations. If you are interested in becoming a valued member of the team, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at the NHMF for organising such an interesting and enjoyable study tour. Our appreciation also goes to the speakers and associates for generously sharing their valuable time and insightful expertise.

Read more insights here.