Projects in resource-efficient cities

UVAR4US examines how urban vehicle access regulations (UVAR) contribute to net-zero, liveable, multi-functional urban spaces as envisioned in the 15-min city concept (15mC).

Gällivare Narratives explores how mining communities can become more attractive, inclusive, and sustainable through design research, system innovation, and local collaboration. With people's stories at the center, we develop concrete tools for building the communities of the future.

In the project “Samling vid pumpen” ("Gathering at the pump"), water and wastewater organizations collaborate to support the establishment of a national standard for asset management. Through participation and engagement, we aim to build acceptance and drive behavioral changes needed for such a standard to contribute to smart and sustainable water

Härryda Municipality is one of 48 Swedish cities that, within the initiative Climate Neutral Cities 2030, are working together with several national government agencies and Viable Cities to lead the way in the climate transition. Viable Cities' mission is Climate Neutral Cities 2030 with a good life for all within the planetary boundaries.

URSOILL – Swedish Living Lab works to improve soil health in Swedish cities through research, innovation, and collaboration between municipalities, academia, industry, and citizens. By developing solutions for cleaner, vibrant, and resilient urban soils, URSOILL contributes to greener cities, greater biodiversity, and more sustainable societies.

At a time when more people than ever live in cities, stress and mental health issues are also on the rise. The project explores how urban design affects the brain – and how neuroarchitecture can help create environments that support our mental well-being.

Climate neutral Luleå 2030 is a collaborative initiative exploring innovative forms of cooperation, processes, and working methods to enable the transformative changes needed to accelerate the climate transition—both within and beyond the municipality. At the heart of the project is the creation of a long-term platform for dialogue and inclusive pa

The URSOILL project will establish five Living Labs across diverse climatic zones and socio-economic contexts in Europe. Each lab will serve as a collaborative hub where researchers, municipalities, businesses, and citizens co-create and test innovative practices for urban soil restoration:

The rapid electrification of the vehicle fleet presents new challenges for the power grid – but also new opportunities. By mapping where EV owners live, how they drive, and who can benefit from V2X technology, this project generates insights to support a more flexible and data-driven energy system.

The project adopts a systematic approach through real-world case studies across various non-residential buildings, such as supermarkets and office spaces. Data collection and analysis will include energy consumption patterns, retrofit costs, and performance metrics, using tools like energy modeling software and on-site measurements

MOUSERS is a four-year research project investigating how residents of Swedish households use common spaces. The goal is to guide future building designs that encourage more circular and optimal use of space through sharing.

The project is a system demonstrator within FFI and focuses on testing the potential of HCT vehicles in urban traffic, both with conventional combustion engines and BEV trucks, in order to improve energy and transport efficiency and contribute to a more sustainable urban environment with fewer heavy vehicles. for the same transport mission.

HITS 3 addresses the challenges of urban logistics systems from a systemic perspective and aims to accelerate the transition toward more efficient and sustainable urban freight transport.

The project Circular Ports supports the transition to a circular economy by testing and demonstrating CE strategies in port environments in the Baltic Sea region. By promoting cooperation between port stakeholders, the project aims to create synergies that increase resource efficiency, reduce waste, and improve sustainability in and around ports.

COOLGEOHEAT II supports the climate transition with sustainable, cost-effective solutions for thermal energy sharing between buildings. It strengthens local energy supply and reduces emissions. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak.

Leveraging AI and machine learning, we develop a comprehensive solution to map, evaluate, and prioritize sewer network maintenance — from data collection to sewer index.

Together we reduce the climate footprint of wood wool boards by fully or partially replacing cement with alternative sustainable raw materials.

The project aims to design and develop a customizable serious game that simulates real-world challenges in the management of Sweden’s water and wastewater infrastructure. It provides a risk-free and engaging environment to promote the understanding and application of data-driven approaches such as machine learning and statistical models.

Cultural and community centers play a key role in the green transition. Co-PED develops new models where these spaces become central to local energy communities and Positive Energy Districts – with RISE as a core research partner.

There is a great need to increase knowledge and fundamental understanding of biogenic carbon flows and where there is potential for increased resource efficiency. The purpose of the area analysis is to describe the biogenic carbon flows from Swedish primary production to industry, society including reuse, recycling, export, and import.

The purpose of the mapping is to create a basis for developing Skaraborg's cultural infrastructure. The report is partly concentrated on the activities and organizational structures of municipal cultural activities, and partly on culture's supporting role in society.

The aim of the project is to explore and develop future collaborative business models that accelerate and support societal transformation. The project complements established research by developing traditional business model concepts with additional functions for transformation and multi-actor collaboration.

Over the past year, Sundsvall Municipality, Din Tur, and the research institute RISE have examined mobility challenges in Sundsbruk. Through dialogue with residents and decision-makers, they have established a new foundation of knowledge about future perspectives and the importance of efficient travel.

Sustainable micromobility, Reduced travel consumption, Data-driven urban planning

Climate change increases the risk of flooding, which demands collaboration between property owners, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Through a systems and futures analysis, the project develops business models, financing, and legal frameworks for joint actions – with the goal of creating resilient communities by 2035.

We explored how industry's water use contributes to Water Wise societies (WWS) mission of Sustainable water for all 2050. As a result, the challenge with industry's sustainable water use was described, key actors identified and future scenarios, prioritized system movements and proposals for efforts in next stage of WWS was drawn up.

With innovative phase changing and thermo-chemical materials, ThumbsUp is developing innovative thermal energy storage technologies that can easily be integrated into buildings to increase their energy efficiency and grid flexibility on a daily and weekly basis.

New empirical research field: Neurodesign & Neuroarchitecture. By combining brain research and AI with architecture and design, we understand more about how our living environments should be designed to support human, ecological and economic sustainability.

In Creative North we contribute to strengthened entrepreneurship among companies in the cultural and creative industries in northern Sweden.

In urban environments, biodiversity is important for the stability and functioning of ecosystems. However, urbanisation and the increasing use of hard surfaces for mobility are reducing biodiversity. We need to strike a balance between mobility on the one hand and the preservation and expansion of green spaces on the other.

The CYPRESS project will improve the security and robustness of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), relevant for critical infrastructure, smart buildings, and emergency networks. It will develop lightweight security solutions suitable for resource-constrained devices and platforms, and establish standards to boost interoperability and commercialization.

Water Wise Societies, one of five programs within the innovation initiative Impact Innovation, work for transition towards sustainable water for all. Impact Innovation is funded by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency, the aim is to contribut to global competitiveness through sustainable development transformation.