FAQ

Questions about the future
Backaplan of the future has the power to engage. That’s clear to us from all the questions we receive from a curious public. We have answered some of those questions here. If you cannot find an answer to your particular question, please get in touch.

General

What will happen in Backaplan?
Backaplan of the future is part of the Nordic region’s largest urban development project and makes an important contribution to the evolution of Gothenburg as a city. Backaplan of the future has been designed to be an attractive place to live, work and visit – a dynamic neighbourhood with 7,000 new homes, services, schools, offices, city retail, a cultural centre, entertainment, hotels, restaurants, green spaces and more.
Why is Backaplan of the future being built?
Gothenburg is growing fast and as a result new places for people to work, go to school, socialise and, of course, live are needed. Backaplan has long been a commercial centre, but there is also space here for more of what this growing city needs. It is a fantastic location, and the area has enormous potential to become an attractive urban melting pot that offers 24-hour living. A natural part and extension of Gothenburg’s city centre that is now crossing the river and creating a new, vibrant neighbourhood.
Who is building Backaplan of the future?
The parties responsible for building Backaplan of the future are Skandia Fastigheter, Fastighets AB Balder, Riksbyggen and KF Fastigheter.
Discussions about building Backaplan have been ongoing for some time. What does the schedule look like?
The groundbreaking ceremony for stage 1 of Backaplan of the future took place in May 2022, and the first rental properties and new commercial premises are due for completion in 2025. Backaplan of the future is a major urban development project that has been in the pipeline for many years. The existing area will gradually be regenerated and developed in stages. The aim is for the majority of the regeneration to be complete by 2040.
Will there be parks?
Yes, several! Backaplan of the future is set to be a green neighbourhood, where the aim is for there to be trees on every street. In addition to a number of green corridors, there will also be three neighbourhood parks and a district park – each one unique in its own way.
Why not just renovate?
We see real potential and a need to create a new, vibrant neighbourhood, where we can provide scope for future development. Backaplan has long been an important commercial centre, and will remain so moving forward, but Backaplan of the future will offer a great deal more besides. Backaplan of the future will be a new and dynamic neighbourhood where people can live, work and spend time – an important contribution to the evolution of Gothenburg.
When you say Backaplan of the future, which area are you talking about exactly?
The Backaplan of the future project covers the area stretching from Kvillebäcken in the west to Brunnsbo in the east, and from Lundbyleden in the south to Norra Deltavägen in the north.
This is the area being developed jointly by Skandia Fastigheter, Fastighets AB Balder, Riksbyggen and KF Fastigheter.
You talk a lot about power – what do you mean by that?
Yes, power is the perfect word to describe Backaplan of the future. Whether we’re talking about the concerted efforts of the stakeholders and property owners involved in the project or the drive shown by the entrepreneurs and companies looking to work and operate in the area. Backaplan of the future will have numerous strengths that add to the area’s appeal, and we want to create a neighbourhood that empowers everyone who lives and spends time there.

Housing

Will I have to move?
No, no existing housing will disappear. There is currently no housing on the site of Backaplan of the future. We will, however, be building around 7,000 new homes of various sizes and with different forms of tenure. This will enable more people to live in Backaplan – a great starting point for creating a vibrant neighbourhood.
You say 7,000 new homes – does that include those at Kvillebäcken?
No, it will be 7,000 homes in addition to those already in Kvillebäcken.
How are you incorporating sustainability?
The sustainability issue is an important one for us. We consider sustainability at every stage – from choosing materials for building foundations to our plans for neighbourhood facilities. Our ambition is to develop a city neighbourhood that takes into account the UN’s sustainability goals in terms of climate, mobility and social sustainability. You can find out more about our sustainability work here: framtidensbackaplan.se/en/sustainability
What types and sizes of housing will there be?
Backaplan of the future will include tenant/owner properties and rental properties of various sizes. The neighbourhood will grow in stages, with the breakdown determined as construction progresses.
Who will live here and who can afford to live here?
There is a considerable need for housing in Gothenburg, and homes of various sizes and with different forms of tenure will be built as part of Backaplan of the future, to cater for all manner of households. It is too early to say what rents and house prices will be, but they will be in line with market pricing in general.
Will there be senior living apartments?
Yes, the plans also include new senior living apartments.

Work

How long can I keep my shop?
The new neighbourhood will grow in stages over a number of years. How the agreement will work for each business owner will be determined by them and the property owner. We refer you to your landlord. As things stand, existing retail will continue operating as normal until the first stage is complete (around 2025). Backaplan of the future will welcome more entrepreneurs, business owners and companies that want to be part of this new, modern neighbourhood and contribute to its appeal. The area will offer everything from international chains to local champions who are unique to Backaplan.
What are you doing to make life easier for existing businesses in Backaplan?
Backaplan is an important commercial centre that will remain open for business throughout the construction period. We are working with the City of Gothenburg to minimise any disruption and to ensure easy access to the area. Logistics planning is everything in these kinds of projects, which means we are devoting enormous resources to developing the area as smoothly as possible.
What types of workplaces will there be in Backaplan of the future?
There will be space for countless different businesses, everything from offices and co-working spaces to commerce and a wide range of services, hotels and restaurants.

Living

Will culture be given a role in this new neighbourhood?
Yes, absolutely. For instance, there are plans for a cultural centre and a cinema. The idea is that the cultural centre will be owned by the city.
Will schools be built?
Yes, there are currently plans to create three schools for children of all ages.
What do you mean by different types of services?
In addition to the new schools, there are also plans to build retirement homes, a medical centre and a large sports centre.
Will there be any hotels?
Yes, the current plans include hotels in the area.
Will you build another large shopping centre?
No, Backaplan of the future will not have a shopping centre in the traditional sense. This will be a new, modern and dynamic neighbourhood with new housing, services, schools, offices, city retail, culture, entertainment, hotels, restaurants and green spaces – all accommodated in a vibrant retail quarter with a broad mix of shops. The objective is for Backaplan of the future to be a natural part and extension of the evolution of Gothenburg’s city centre and a neighbourhood that offers 24-hour living.
How many shops will there be and what kinds of shops will they be?
It is too early to say exactly what shops, restaurants and other businesses will be moving into Backaplan of the future. What we do know is that there will be a varied and wide range of businesses with broad appeal – as there is at present, but even more so.
Will the buildings have ground-floor retail units?
In order to deliver an attractive urban melting pot with 24-hour living, large parts of the residential quarters will feature a mix of premises at street level. These could potentially house cafés and restaurants, hairdressers, tattooists, shops or local services.

Sustainability

How is Backaplan of the future facilitating a low-impact, eco-friendly lifestyle?
The new neighbourhood offers all the necessary amenities for comfortable living, work and recreation. This, along with the superb public transport options, makes it easy to live without a car. The buildings will be energy-efficient and constructed using materials with the lowest possible environmental impact.
Is it environmentally sound to build so close to the water?
The zoning plans for the area take into account rising sea levels and heavier rainfall in the future. For this reason, all new construction will be elevated above ground level and several parks will be built to divert and store storm run-off.
How are you promoting social sustainability in the new neighbourhood?
Backaplan of the future will be a city neighbourhood for everyone, whether they are living or working in it or just visiting. Our focus is on creating natural meeting places that promote a healthy urban lifestyle and where everyone is welcome.
How is the project taking biodiversity into account?
By transforming large paved areas into vibrant urban green spaces, where lush parks and courtyards attract insects and other animal species. The area around Kvillebäcken is being expanded to create more open space and enhanced conservation of the local ecosystem.
Where can I find feasibility studies and other documents about the sustainability of Backaplan of the future?

The City of Gothenburg website provides access to several feasibility studies that address the project’s environmental requirements and ecological impact.

Transport and mobility

What parking options will there be in the future?
Backaplan of the future has been designed to help make it easy to live without a car, but there will, of course, be people who want to own a car or need one. For that reason, there will be well-planned multi-level parking and parking spaces to make life easy for car-owners too.
Currently many of the shops are spread over quite a wide area – what will things look like in the future?
Living and spending time in Backaplan of the future should be a convenient experience. Close to everything and easy to get around on foot, by bike, on public transport and by other more sustainable modes of transport associated with modern urban mobility. There will be plenty of viable alternatives to using a car. We also want to build a closely connected neighbourhood, with ground-floor retail units. This contributes to a perceived shortening of distances.
What will public transport to and within the area be like?
Hjalmar Brantingsplatsen will continue to be an important public transport hub. New bus stops will be created in the area, and there are plans for tram stops on Backavägen and a commuter train station at Brunnsbo. The new rail hub in Backa will make life considerably easier for local residents and visitors.

Security

What and when will you do something about security?
Backaplan of the future is set to be an attractive urban melting pot with 24-hour living, thanks to its mix of homes, services, schools, offices, city retail, culture, entertainment, restaurants, green spaces, etc. Modern urban planning and qualities and activities with the power to attract people to the area support relaxation and recreation, which helps create a sense of security and happiness. Safety, security and happiness are some of our key areas of focus.