The newly legally binding detailed plan for Kv Gösen takes urban development in Gamlestaden a big step forward. According to reports, the City Planning Committee decided on March 24 to send the detailed plan for review. The Land and Environment Court of Appeal did not grant leave to appeal, meaning the detailed plan for Smålandsgatan now gains legal force after nearly three years of legal review.
The old factory area in Gamlestaden, which is SKF's old factory area, will become a mixed-use city district with cultural-historical values preserved and new construction added. Parts of the area need to be demolished because the land is contaminated. When completed, the Gamlestaden area could have about 900 homes, a preschool, commerce, offices, service, and a new park along Säveån. The design will maintain the area's industrial character, with preserved buildings handled with high quality requirements, and facades facing the street will be in red brick with active ground floors. Buildings are planned to be 5–6 stories high, with up to 7 stories inside the area and one taller building as a landmark.
Development will occur in stages over about ten years. The Kv Gösen area, including classic buildings along Artillerigatan, is central to the experience of Gamlestaden's development into a modern and important node for Gothenburg. Next steps include preparing the land for new construction and obtaining necessary building and demolition permits.
A detailed plan for Rubingatan, about 1–1.5 km southwest of Frölunda Torg, includes five apartment buildings with a total of 190 apartments. The plan has been revised since consultation in 2021, with changes to volume, height, placement, and design of buildings. More space has been left for nature and visibility between buildings by removing enclosed courtyards and reducing the number of building bodies. Parking has been changed to garages under some buildings and surface parking. Building design has been an important issue, aiming for high quality through classic traditional architecture adapted to the location and landscape. The new homes will help strengthen the ongoing development at Opaltorget nearby.
If all goes as planned, an adopted detailed plan could exist later this year, and construction could start after the building permit process. The apartments will be tenant-owned apartments, and the developer is AF Projektutveckling. Review is planned from April 22 to May 26, with opportunities to view the plan and submit comments.
The western part of Backaplan is in focus for continued development, with a pre-study to pave the way for future detailed plans. Gothenburg City has started cooperation with property owners in the area to find a common structure and content. A central part of the pre-study will be mapping property owners' interest in developing their properties in the short and long term. During 2026, the pre-study will deepen knowledge for the area and address issues like urban structure, land use, mobility, green structure, and implementation.
The detailed plan for Smålandsgatan includes a new police station, student housing, offices, and center activities. Ullevi tennis will get new premises integrated into a larger building. The purpose of the plan is to densify a central location in Gothenburg and create a more urban area with safe streets. The plan covers about 130,000 square meters of gross area and buildings between 4 and 18 stories, and development in the area will occur gradually.
Construction of the new police station is intended to start early but must be preceded by building permits and archaeological final investigation. Developers in the area are Vasakronan, SGS Studentbostäder, Wallenstam, and Fontell Fastighets AB.
According to sources, a 27-story skyscraper has received approval at Skånegatan, despite officials and opposition expressing opposition. The triangular plot opposite the Norwegian Seamen's Church currently holds a parking garage. Sources indicate that the public utility company Framtiden wants to build a skyscraper with around 200 rental apartments and parking in the lower floors. The building is reportedly already called 'the iron' and is meant to resemble the Flatiron Building in New York. Officials have reportedly said no in their report, pointing out that the building violates the comprehensive plan's guidelines for tall buildings, the area needs more green spaces, and schools and preschools are already under pressure.
Sources suggest that M, D, and L want to see a lower building with housing for students and the elderly instead. According to reports, S, V, MP, and C are proceeding anyway, arguing that more residents bring life to the event corridor and more shops and restaurants at street level. The detailed plan will take at least a couple of years to finalize, and major changes are expected along Skånegatan with a new police station and student housing near the planned skyscraper.
An evaluation shows that bicycle parking spaces on Såggatan in Majorna are hardly used. The city has asked Majorna residents for suggestions on how to replace the bicycle parking. The proposal that has received the most suggestions so far is to convert it back to car parking.