How is Malmö shaping its architectural policy?
Ten years ago, as an exchange student at Blekinge Institute of Technology, I visited Malmö’s City Office to learn about its approach to urban planning. Recently, I returned—not just to reflect on my own journey, but to explore how the city has evolved.
In this episode of Urbcast, I sit down with Malmö’s City Architect, Finn Williams, to discuss his path to Sweden and his role in shaping the city’s future. While Copenhagen often takes the spotlight, Malmö plays a vital role in the Øresund region. We looked into its architectural policy, urban challenges, and strategies for sustainable development.
From UK, through Portugal to Sweden
Finn first arrived in Malmö in 2004 while studying architecture in Portugal. His travels led him through various parts of Sweden, but it was Malmö, and specifically Möllevångstorget, that left a lasting impression on him. The city's diverse atmosphere made it feel like a different continent altogether. However, it wasn't until 2020 that he returned, this time with his family, moving from London to Sweden where he eventually became the city architect.
After studying architecture, he chose to work in the public sector rather than pursue the traditional trajectory of joining a renowned private office. From 2008 onwards, Finn dedicated himself to promoting architecture in the public interest, working for local governments such as Croydon Council and the Greater London Authority. Very importantly, he co-founded Public Practice, a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on embedding architects and built environment experts within the public sector.
The role of Public Practice
While discussing Finn's background, we turned to the broader question of the evolving role of architects, particularly the shift from public to private sector employment. This transformation has been present in the UK, where many young architects have chosen to work for renowned firms rather than in government roles. Finn himself once worked for Rem Koolhaas, gaining experience in the world of star architecture. However, he quickly realized that his aspirations lay elsewhere. He saw a critical gap in the built environment—talented architects existed in private firms, but conditions in the public sector did not allow for high-quality urban planning.
In 1976, nearly half of all architects in the UK worked in the public sector, contributing to social housing, public infrastructure, and municipal projects. By 2016, that number had dropped to less than 1%. Factors such as privatization, deregulation, and budget cuts had drained municipalities of architectural expertise, not only in design but also in urban planning, engineering, and community engagement.
Recognizing this deficit, Finn co-founded Public Practice alongside Pooja Agrawal. The organization places built environment professionals in public sector roles for a minimum of 12 months, with many staying on beyond their initial tenure. Now a national initiative across England, Public Practice has successfully placed over 350 experts in municipalities, helping to revitalize public sector architecture.
The impact of the public-to-private shift in architecture
This shift from public to private practice raises an important question: if so many architects left the public sector, how have buildings continued to be designed and constructed? The answer lies in how municipalities adapted their roles.
Decades ago, public sector architects played a direct role in designing and constructing buildings, particularly in housing and infrastructure projects. Over time, however, governments transitioned to a more passive role—approving or rejecting private development proposals rather than proactively shaping the built environment. This change reduced the public sector's ability to drive innovation and ensure equitable urban development.
Despite this trend, Finn believes that working in the public sector offers unparalleled agency. Unlike private firms, where architects respond to predetermined briefs, public sector professionals have the power to define the briefs themselves. This proactive approach allows municipalities to shape cities in ways that reflect broader societal needs rather than purely commercial interests.
Democratizing Malmö’s urban development
One of the key initiatives Malmö has introduced is an ongoing program that started in 2023, aimed at engaging citizens in shaping their urban environment. This citywide celebration of architecture not only raises awareness of the role of design in everyday life but also empowers residents to influence Malmö’s development. By fostering a network of local advocates who actively spread knowledge and engage their communities, the city ensures that urban planning does not depend on a single individual but instead benefits from a collective, long-term vision.
This approach follows broader trends in the UK’s public sector and aligns with Malmö’s goal of creating systemic change. Encouraging participation at multiple levels strengthens urban development and ensures it remains responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
Tackling growing inequality
Despite Malmö’s strong social model, growing inequality remains a concern, especially in access to housing and urban infrastructure. Drawing from lessons learned in London, where market-driven development has often exacerbated these issues, Malmö is working to counterbalance these trends. The city’s diverse population is one of its greatest strengths, but it also presents challenges in ensuring equal access to high-quality living conditions.
Malmö’s planning strategies emphasize the need for affordable housing, improved infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. The city aims to integrate these concerns into its broader urban development policies, ensuring that economic growth does not come at the expense of social equity.
Climate neutrality by 2030
Malmö has set an ambitious target of achieving climate neutrality by 2030. This commitment is supported by LFM30 (Lokalfärdplan Malmö 30), a local roadmap that brings together over 200 organizations to reduce carbon emissions in construction. The current benchmarks for carbon dioxide emissions per square meter in Malmö are already more advanced than national requirements, setting a higher standard for sustainability in the built environment.
However, the city recognizes that reducing emissions in new buildings is only part of the solution. A greater focus is being placed on minimizing new construction altogether by extending the lifespan of existing structures. When new developments are necessary, Malmö prioritizes designs that prevent future demolition, ensuring longevity and adaptability.
Innovation in circular construction
A key example of Malmö’s forward-thinking approach is its work with Parkering Malmö, the city’s parking company, on sustainable mobility hubs. The city has already built Sweden’s largest fully timber car park, reducing its carbon footprint. However, the real challenge is ensuring these structures remain useful in the long term.
To address this, Malmö has launched a competition to design circular mobility hubs—spaces that serve as parking facilities today but can be repurposed as workshops or offices in the future.
The future of regenerative architecture
Ultimately, Malmö is hoping to move beyond sustainable design toward regenerative architecture—buildings that actively improve the environment. This vision includes structures that generate more energy than they consume, collect and purify water, enhance biodiversity, and eliminate waste.
One standout project in this space is the transformation of Södra Varsbasängen, an old shipbuilding dock. Originally 11 to 12 meters deep, the dock posed safety risks and lacked biodiversity. By using excavated waste material to fill in the dock, Malmö has created a shallower, three-to-four-meter-deep basin that allows sunlight to reach the bottom. This supports the growth of eelgrass, which captures carbon at a rate comparable to the rainforest and significantly improves water quality and biodiversity.
A tale of two cities: Malmö and Copenhagen
Malmö and Copenhagen share a unique relationship that extends beyond geographical proximity. Connected by the Øresund Bridge, these two cities form a dynamic urban region that fosters both collaboration and a degree of rivalry. But how do they truly interact when it comes to urban development? Is it truly a partnership or eventually a competition?
According to the City Architect of Malmö, the relationship can be likened to that of siblings—a "little sibling, big sibling" dynamic. While Malmö may perceive Copenhagen as a competitor, it is unlikely that Copenhagen sees Malmö as a threat. However, the benefits of proximity to Copenhagen are undeniable, offering inspiration and access to a wealth of architectural expertise.
Learning from Copenhagen: The Danish influence
The built environment profession in Denmark has maintained a stronger influence over urban development compared to Sweden. This is reflected in the role of architects and urbanists, who continue to shape the cityscape with significant agency. One of the key advantages Denmark has is access to substantial funding, such as that provided by Realdania, which supports architectural and urban projects on a European scale.
Malmö actively looks to Copenhagen for inspiration, particularly in the realm of circular economy and sustainable architecture. From pioneering firms like Lendager, Pihlman, and Leth & Gori to research institutions such as the re:arc and CINARK, Copenhagen is a hub of innovation that Malmö seeks to engage with.
A shared history and a common bioregion
The collaboration between Malmö and Copenhagen is not a recent phenomenon. It dates back hundreds of years, rooted in a shared history of craftsmanship, materials, and techniques. The two cities exist within the same bioregion, meaning they face similar climatic and environmental challenges. Historically, they were even part of the same country.
This common ground presents an opportunity for deeper collaboration in urban planning. By thinking as a unified bioregion, both cities can develop strategies to sustainably manage local resources and reduce their collective environmental footprint. The potential for circular urban development, where materials and resources are reused and recycled at scale, is particularly exciting in this context.
Personal and professional bridges
Beyond institutional ties, personal relationships between urban professionals have also played a role in improving collaboration. The current City Architect has developed strong connections with his counterparts in Copenhagen, including Lars Jensen, Camilla van der Deurs, or Tina Saaby. These relationships have been instrumental in shaping his understanding of the role and expanding Malmö’s urban network.
A concrete example of this collaboration was Malmö’s involvement in the 2023 World Capital of Architecture program, which Copenhagen hosted. Malmö participated with its own initiative, Malmö in the Making, and is now mirroring Copenhagen’s new architectural biennial with its own version of the event.
You can listen to an episode with another city architect of Melbourne — Rob Adams here:
Seeking inspiration beyond Scandinavia
While Copenhagen is an obvious source of inspiration, Malmö also looks further afield for urban development models. One such influence comes from Belgium, particularly the role of the Bouwmeester (City Architect) in cities like Brussels. This model brings independent architectural expertise into urban governance, ensuring that design quality remains a priority in city planning.
During a visit to Brussels, Finn had the opportunity to learn from Kristiaan Borret, who has held the position of Bouwmeester for over a decade. Their discussions centered around architectural competition models, procurement strategies, and urban circularity. Malmö had already begun developing a similar approach, demonstrating the viability of these strategies across different urban contexts.
Defining the role of a city architect
The function of a city architect varies widely between cities and countries. Some hold primarily representative roles as "design champions," while others have significant policymaking power. Even within Sweden, where over 150 city architects exist, job descriptions can differ based on local governance structures and historical factors.
In Malmö, the role has evolved over time. Earlier city architects actively designed public buildings, whereas more recent predecessors took on advisory and oversight functions. The current City Architect has worked to redefine the position, expanding its influence beyond traditional planning mechanisms. Instead of focusing solely on regulatory planning tools, Finn’s approach emphasizes strategic interventions, such as land use agreements, public procurement for design teams, and municipal-led urban development projects.
By building cross-departmental collaborations within the municipality, he has broadened the agency of the role. Rather than getting lost in details like window specifications or material choices, the focus is on systemic change.
Embracing Malmö’s ‘bråkig’ character
According to Finn, the vision for the city is deeply rooted in its unique identity. Malmö’s diversity, contrast, and dynamic urban culture—summed up in the Swedish word ‘bråkig’ —are the foundation for its future urban development. Rather than imposing a single aesthetic vision, the goal is to expand what already makes Malmö distinct, ensuring that this character is fully reflected in its built environment.
A long-term perspective in urban planning
Unlike some city architects whose tenure is tied to political cycles, the current Malmö’s City Architect has the opportunity to work with a much longer time horizon. This brings both privilege and responsibility—balancing technical necessities with political mandates that evolve over time. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between short-term political priorities and the fundamental, long-term needs of the city. The key is to maintain a steady vision that respects democratic processes while ensuring that urban development decisions stand the test of time.
Malmö in the making: engaging citizens
A major initiative embodying this vision is Malmö in the Making, an ongoing public dialogue that invites Malmö’s citizens to actively shape the city’s future. Set to run again in September, in parallel with the Copenhagen Architecture Biennale, this initiative fosters community engagement and ensures that urban development aligns with the needs and aspirations of residents. By embracing open conversations and inclusive design processes, Malmö is reinforcing its identity as a city that values participation and collaboration.
Architectural competitions and new projects
Looking ahead, Malmö continues to open up architectural competitions to a diverse pool of designers, ensuring that the right architects are selected for each project. Exciting opportunities are on the horizon, including the potential transformation of an old building into a new art museum. For architects interested in contributing to Malmö’s evolution, the city provides updates on upcoming competitions and projects via its official website.
Additionally, Malmö is taking concrete steps toward integrating local circular materials into its urban fabric. The city has secured funding to study how locally sourced, sustainable materials can be incorporated into future developments, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible architecture.
Final thoughts: strengthening Malmö’s identity
Malmö’s future lies in embracing and enhancing its ‘bråkig’—its messy, vibrant, and diverse character. By encouraging public participation, promoting sustainability, and curating architectural interventions, the city is set to strengthen its unique urban identity.
Our conversation with Finn shows that successful urban development is not just about creating beautiful spaces, but about ensuring that those spaces genuinely reflect the culture, history, and aspirations of the people who inhabit them. Malmö remains a city in transformation—one that welcomes innovative ideas, values inclusivity, and stays true to its distinct urban DNA.
Book recommendation of the episode
Material Reform by Material Cultures
