Factsheet

Smart circular housing in practice

In the newly built city district of Oceanhamnen in central Helsingborg, more than 2,000 homes and offices are using a unique system for increased sustainability. Simply put, three different pipes run from each home or office and enable water and waste resources to be converted into renewable energy. The project is the first in the world to use the new system at full scale – following its development in Helsingborg – along with sister projects in six cities around Northern Europe.

A climate-friendly carbon product that reduces emissions

Working out of Vera Park – a thriving test bed for jointly developing green solutions in Helsingborg – NSR (regional environmental company Nordvästra Skånes Renhållning AB) is exploring the role that biochar can play in addressing climate issues. Biochar is produced by burning organic material in a container with very little oxygen, a process known as pyrolysis. The result is a stable form of carbon that won’t easily leak into the atmosphere, and clean energy is created in the process in the form of heat. Biochar can also be used in soil to bind the carbon dioxide released when waste from gardening and agriculture is left to decompose naturally.

Sustainable urban planning in real time

The furniture giant is a major partner of H22, and for the first time in the company’s history, IKEA is collaborating with an entire city through several unique projects in Helsingborg. Among other things, a new little community is being built in the forest of Fredriksdal, specifically with H22 City Expo in mind, where students and researchers from around the world will be engaged in exploring how to create truly sustainable and circular housing and communities for the future.