The Sweden Green Building Council annually awards prizes in a number of different categories to reward actors who consciously work to reduce the climate footprint in the real estate industry. This year, the award for Citylab Project of the Year goes to Campus Örebro, which is the first existing campus area in Sweden to be reported according to the ambitious sustainability certification and the strict requirements it imposes.
The jury writes, among other things, in its motivation:
"In an innovative and data-driven way, technology has been used to measure and follow up on the direction of sustainability work – and thus created integration between innovation and learning. Through high sustainability ambitions and great commitment, the project has used Citylab as the answer to sustainability issues in the development of the area, and has shown the opportunities to work ambitiously and innovatively with sustainability in existing districts as well. A brilliant source of inspiration for other managers of existing neighbourhoods."
Erik Florman and Karl Karlström from Akademiska Hus on site at the gala to receive the sustainability award.
"The work of reporting according to Citylab has deepened our collaboration with Örebro University and is part of Akademiska Hus' journey towards climate-neutral operations. This has given us the opportunity to detect any shortcomings early on, while at the same time creating a foundation for even more sustainable management and future development of the campus. We have also received confirmation that the visions, goals and working methods that we use actually lead to a campus with sustainability as a guiding star, something that the win of this award is also proof of. says Erik Florman, Head of Sustainability at Akademiska Hus.
First existing campus
Campus Örebro is the first existing campus area in Sweden to be reported according to Citylab, which, unlike other environmental certifications, does not only apply to a single building but covers an entire district. The work has taken place since 2020 within the Örebro Campus Lab project, in which Akademiska Hus and Örebro University have jointly worked to make the university the country's most digitalised and sustainable higher education institution.
"Vibrant campus areas that enable meetings between researchers, teachers and students – with a focus on continuous development and sustainability – are part of Örebro University's overall vision. The excellent collaboration with Akademiska Hus within the Örebro Campus Lab project has been a concrete way to strengthen sustainability work at the University. It is very gratifying that this award is now being recognised," says Johan Schnürer, proud Vice-Chancellor of Örebro University.
In order for the report to be carried out, according to Citylab, other parts than the university campus itself were also included, such as nearby student housing, services and retail. Akademiska Hus and Örebro University have therefore also collaborated with Örebrobostäder, Örebroporten and Örebro Student Union. The report is based on Citylab's fifteen indicators: safety, trust in the neighbourhood, meeting places, service offering, mix of housing, sound environment, air quality, indoor environment, residual waste, travel habits, buildings' energy use, climate impact, biodiversity, stormwater treatment and flood risks.