City center, Älvängen
Västra Götaland County, Sweden
A conceptual framework for a compact, walkable town center,
shaped around public life and long-term sustainability.
Älvängen is a station centered town in western Sweden facing the challenge of growth without
losing its small town identity. The project explores how density, public space, and orientation can
work together to create a more livable center.
Design Intent
- Strengthen the town center as a social and spatial anchor
- Improve orientation through clear landmarks and spatial hierarchy
- Balance increased density with human-scale public spaces
- Integrate flood-resilient landscape strategies into the urban fabric
Spatial Structure
The proposal organizes the center around a sequence of public spaces connected by
pedestrian-friendly streets, linking the station to the heart of the town.
• Mixed-use blocks combining housing, services, and retail
• Building heights ranging from 3 to 5 floors
• A central square designed as a flexible meeting place
Public Space & Landscape
Public spaces are designed as everyday places rather than formal monuments — supporting
sitting, meeting, and informal activities throughout the day.
• Pedestrian-first streets
• Integrated green infrastructure for stormwater management
• Landscapes designed to support seasonal change
Location: Älvängen, Sweden
Year: 2019
Organization: Göteborgsregionen
Program: Mixed-use town center (3–5 floors)
Strategy: Pedestrian-priority streets, central plaza, mixed-use core
