Sweden’s northernmost city Kiruna is being relocated three kilometres to the east, due to the expansion of the iron ore mine which is the town’s primary economic resource. In this major urban transformation project, Sweco has been awarded the prestigious task of designing and planning the new regional hospital and its surroundings. The client is the local authority Region Norrbotten and the new hospital is expected to be ready around 2029–2031.
Kiruna’s new hospital will be built in an old mining area and is tasked with providing the same healthcare services as the current hospital, but in improved, rationalised and future-proof premises.
“From Sweco’s side, we are ready to contribute our expertise to help create this important component of societal infrastructure that will benefit the citizens of Kiruna for many years to come. Our goal is not just to create a hospital that meets today’s healthcare needs, but one that also is sustainable, robust and adapted for the future,” says Ann-Louise Lökholm Klasson, Business Area President of Sweco in Sweden.
Sweco will plan and design the building and surroundings and ensure that the project not only fulfils the functional requirements, but also becomes a landmark building that Kiruna residents can be proud of.
“Sweco has significant experience in planning, designing and managing construction projects for hospitals. We are supporting Region Norrbotten with a multidisciplinary team that combines local expertise, advanced engineering and architecture skills – and that can manage the unique challenges of building north of the Arctic Circle,” says Ann-Louise Lökholm Klasson.
As the lead consultant, Sweco will take overall responsibility for the programme documentation, drawing on a multitude of Sweco’s competencies and areas of expertise to ensure effective planning and execution.
About the relocation of Kiruna:
The city of Kiruna is located in the north of Sweden, 145 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. It was originally built to serve what is now the largest and most modern underground iron ore mine in the world. For quite many years now, the city has been undergoing a major urban transformation, where the entire town is being moved “building by building” to cater for continued expansion of the mine, which is the town’s primary economic resource. By 2035, the current city centre will have been replaced with the newly developed city centre.
About Sweco’s healthcare expertise:
Sweco has significant experience of advising clients in healthcare, from supporting industrial clients within the healthcare and pharma sector, to planning, designing, and optimising hospitals and other health-oriented building projects. Sweco’s current and past experience from healthcare projects include private- and public-sector clients in Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg among others.
Photo of Ann-Louise Lökholm Klasson, Sweco Sweden, free use, please credit: Anna W Thorbjörnsson
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Sweco Group – Sweco to design new regional hospital for relocated city of Kiruna in northern Sweden
