Ecological sustainability

The Bo01 area will consume only half the amount of energy used in other residential properties in Malmö. The target for energy consumption is 105 kWh per square metre a year. To achieve this target, the construction companies are investing in new technology, new materials and new types of construction. Many of the apartments have their own electricity and district heating meters that allow residents to monitor and adjust their own energy consumption. All the energy used in the Bo01 area is produced locally. Renewable forms of energy are used, such as wind and solar power and ground and seawater heat extraction.

The city that recycles

The district's water and sewage systems are connected to the Malmö network. A completely new facility is being built next to Sjölunda, the central sewage treatment works, which will be used for the treatment of sludge, which is the residual product. Energy and nutritive substances are extracted from the sludge and phosphorus is separated. The nutritive substances can then be spread onto arable land without any of the sludge. This reduces both transportation and the risk of pollution in the fields. This concept is based on new reasoning and partly on new technology and has not, as yet, been fully developed anywhere else in the world. A biogas reactor will also be constructed. This converts organic waste into biogas for heating and vehicle fuel. The waste will be taken from waste disposers and refuse suction systems.

Pro-environmental transport

Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be given priority and will constitute an attractive alternative to short journeys by car. Obviously, there is an excellent bus service connecting the district to the rest of the region's public transport system. The buses run on alternative fuels. Residents here also have access to a carpool - a car or minibus that they can book from home through the local computer network. Electric vehicles are used for local maintenance and cleaning. Alternative fuel vehicles have several advantages when it comes to parking and being able to drive along the narrowest of streets. Driving a vehicle that uses a renewable type of fuel should offer an attractive alternative.

Biological diversity

Several different steps have been taken to ensure that this will be a green district with plenty of different biotopes for flora and fauna. The courtyards and parks all vary in character and offer different conditions. A "Green Points" list provides ideas about how construction companies and developers can help as many species as possible to become established here. Some examples are that each apartment has a bird-box, frog biotopes are established where frogs can survive the winter and nesting boards for swallows are set up on the sides of buildings. A large tree has been planted in each courtyard. This supports the microclimate until other trees and shrubs have grown up and become well established. A so-called green area factor guarantees that all courtyards are planted up with plenty of vegetation, on walls, roofs and in the courtyards. Rainwater and melted snow are collected in lots of different small pools and mini-channels. This is also a means of creating the special conditions for species of flora and fauna that depend on watery environments. There was a rich bird-life here in the Bo01 area before building began. A similar biotope is now being created out in the harbour area of Malmö to replace this.

Knowledge and facts

A quality programme was draw up in the early stages to make it possible to agree on the high-level targets for ecological sustainability. This document was produced by Malmö City, which is the landowner, together with the construction companies and Bo01. The document includes binding requirements as well as recommendations for the environment, architecture and IT. At present, several major research projects are underway for following up the work on environmental adaptation. A major project for adult education is also underway, with both European and local elements. The district will have its own special environmental television channel.