THE URBAN TRANSFORMATION OF HELSINGBORG
Contemporary architecture at Clarion Hotel® & Congress Sea U in Helsingborg, showcasing clean lines, glass balconies, and warm tones, reflects the city's modern urban renewal by the waterfront.
THE URBAN TRANSFORMATION OF HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN’S STORIED PORT CITY
Text and photos by Max
A HISTORIC PORT WITH A STRATEGIC EDGE
Helsingborg’s history is intertwined with the sea. Situated at the narrowest point of the Øresund Strait, just 4 km across from Denmark, the city has long been a gateway between Sweden and continental Europe. One of Sweden’s oldest cities, with permanent settlement dating back to 1085, Helsingborg held great strategic importance in medieval times due to its formidable fortress commanding the strait
Control of this port meant control of vital trade routes, and the city changed hands from Denmark to Sweden in the 17th century. By the 19th and 20th centuries, Helsingborg grew into a bustling harbour and industrial centre, its docks teeming with ferries, merchant ships and warehouses. The city has embraced innovation for decades, it even hosted a modernist housing exposition in 1955 (the H55 fair) that showcased forward-thinking design
This blend of rich history and openness to new ideas set the stage for Helsingborg’s remarkable urban renewal in recent decades.
Sunset over Helsingborg, viewed from a point near the historic Kärnan fortress, offering panoramic views of the city's rooftops and the Öresund strait.
NORRA HAMNEN: FROM INDUSTRIAL DOCKLANDS TO VIBRANT WATERFRONT
By the late 20th century, Helsingborg’s old North Harbour (Norra hamnen) had outlived its industrial use, presenting a prime opportunity to reconnect the city with its waterfront. The transformation began in the 1990s, culminating in the H99 Housing Exhibition of 1999 – a showcase of urban renewal on the harbour’s edge. In this ambitious project, thirteen new residential buildings rose around the former dock basin, each pair designed by different Swedish or Danish architects to avoid a monotonous look. The result was a harmonious mix of modern functionalist architecture – clean lines, practical forms – that nevertheless offered visual variety along the quay. A waterfront promenade and marina were laid out, stitching the new district into Helsingborg’s urban fabric and inviting people to the sea.
One anchor of the redevelopment was Dunkers Kulturhus, an art and culture centre designed by Danish architect Kim Utzon and opened in 2002 at the harbour’s edge. This striking cultural venue, with its harbour-facing glass façades, signalled Helsingborg’s commitment to livability and the arts in the new district. It also nods to the city’s heritage by its very name – honouring Henry Dunker, a local industrialist and benefactor – thus bridging old and new. The once gritty docks of Norra Hamnen were now a lively waterfront neighbourhood with museums, cafés, and public squares, illustrating how thoughtful urban planning can rejuvenate obsolete areas. Property values and public pride in the area surged as residents and visitors flocked to enjoy Öresund views from the pedestrian-friendly shoreline. What was a fenced-off port zone a generation ago is today an open seaside destination – a testament to Helsingborg’s successful turnaround of Norra Hamnen.
Contemporary residential architecture in Helsingborg's Norra Hamnen district, characterised by clean lines, curved balconies, and minimalist Nordic design, highlighting the city's vibrant urban renewal.
HELSINGBORG KONSERTHUS: A CLASSIC MODERNIST LANDMARK
Helsingborg Concert Hall, designed by renowned Swedish architect Sven Markelius and inaugurated in 1932, remains an iconic example of Scandinavian functionalist architecture. With its striking white façade characterised by rhythmic, minimalist forms, the building embodies the clean aesthetics and practical modernism typical of its era. Today, this landmark forms an architectural bridge connecting Helsingborg’s historical identity with contemporary developments in districts such as Norra Hamnen and Oceanhamnen. The continuity of architectural innovation—from Markelius' pioneering functionalism to the latest sustainable urban designs—highlights Helsingborg's enduring commitment to blending heritage with progressive city planning.
Helsingborg Concert Hall, designed by Sven Markelius in 1932, exemplifies functionalist architecture with its clean, rhythmic lines and minimalist aesthetic, forming a historical connection to the city's contemporary architectural transformations.
H+ AND OCEANHAMNEN: A NEW URBAN ARCHIPELAGO
If Norra Hamnen was Helsingborg’s first step in reclaiming its coast, the H+ project is a giant leap further. H+ (pronounced “H Plus”) is the city’s largest urban renewal initiative in modern times
Aiming to transform old port and industrial areas south of the city centre into vibrant mixed-use districts by 2035. The flagship of H+ is Oceanhamnen, a bold new quarter rising where ferry terminals and warehouses once stood. Oceanhamnen – literally “Ocean Harbour” – is envisioned as an “urban archipelago” of peninsulas and islands jutting into the sea. This design not only creates an attractive maritime landscape but also maximises waterfront access for homes and offices. A series of canals and footbridges weave between modern buildings, bringing the sea deep into the district and making water a constant presence in urban life.
The first phase of Oceanhamnen opened around 2020–2022, featuring eye-catching architecture and new public spaces. One standout is the Prisma building, a faceted glass-and-steel office block that has quickly become a landmark and a symbol of Helsingborg’s tech-driven future. New housing complexes line the quays, many with striking contemporary designs and generous balconies overlooking the water. These buildings aren’t just aesthetically pleasing – they are engineered for sustainability: several were built with timber construction and designed to passive house or even energy-positive standards, keeping their environmental footprint minimal. Green courtyards, pocket parks, and rooftop terraces pepper the area, ensuring that residents have inviting outdoor spaces despite the high-density development. Pedestrians and cyclists enjoy new bridges and paths that seamlessly connect Oceanhamnen to the city centre (including a pedestrian bridge landing near Helsingborg C, the central rail/ferry terminal). Notably, a disused harbour warehouse, Magasin 405, was preserved and repurposed as a creative hub and meeting place during the city’s H22 Expo, bridging the gap – both physically and socially – between the new district and existing neighbourhoods
In this way, the H+ project marries heritage with innovation, ensuring the soul of the old port isn’t lost amid the gleaming new developments.
The Prisma building, a landmark of Helsingborg’s new Oceanhamnen district, is captured here from various angles, including distinctive perspectives taken from the ferry departing Helsingborg harbour towards Helsingør in Denmark. The reflections and sunset views highlight the building’s distinctive geometric glass façade and its integration with the waterfront.
SMART, SUSTAINABLE URBAN PLANNING BY THE SEA
From the beginning, Helsingborg set out to make its harbour renewal a model of sustainable city building. In Oceanhamnen especially, sustainability and quality of life go hand in hand. The entire district has been a testbed for smart city solutions and green technology under the umbrella of the H22 innovation initiative. One of the most groundbreaking features is an innovative three-pipe waste and wastewater system installed in every building. Instead of a conventional single sewer, each home has three separate pipes: one for food waste (ground up via kitchen disposers), one for blackwater (toilet waste via vacuum toilets), and one for greywater (from baths, laundry and sinks). These flows are sent to a high-tech treatment centre called RecoLab, where nutrients and biogas are harvested from waste and greywater is recycled for heating/cooling before final treatment. bable-smartcities.eu bable-smartcities.eu
Oceanhamnen is the first neighbourhood in the world to deploy this system at full scale – over 2,000 new homes and offices will be served by it – marking a major step toward the city’s goal of becoming a zero-waste, circular economy city by 2030. bable-smartcities.eu bable-smartcities.eu
Sustainable mobility is also integral to the plan. Helsingborg has introduced battery-powered electric ferries on the busy route to Denmark, slashing emissions for the thousands of daily commuters crossing the strait. Public transport and cycling infrastructure have been upgraded to make the new harbour districts easy to reach without cars. Within Oceanhamnen, smart digital systems monitor and optimize energy use, water levels, and even waste collection, all part of Helsingborg’s reputation as a leader in smart city innovation. Green roofs and solar panels adorn many new buildings, and an “urban marine park” is in the works to celebrate marine ecology along the district’s shores. The city’s ambition to be creative, communal and sustainable is evident at every turn in these neighbourhoods. europan-europe.eu – from interactive street lighting to community gardens – making Helsingborg not just a technology showcase, but a genuinely livable city.
Oceanhamnen
In Norra Hamnen, too, sustainability and quality of life were key. The H99 development introduced new parks (e.g. Kungsparken, originally the H99 exhibition park) and a small urban beach, bringing greenery and recreation to the former docklands. Energy-efficient housing design was encouraged even in the late 1990s, and the legacy of that approach has only strengthened with H+. The continuity of vision is clear: both Norra Hamnen and Oceanhamnen prioritize pedestrian zones, access to nature, and reducing environmental impact, aligning with Helsingborg’s long-term climate goals (the city aims to cut greenhouse emissions by 85% from 1990 levels by 2035, in line with its climate plan).
Norra Hamnen
KEY INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES IN HELSINGBORG’S HARBOUR RENEWAL INCLUDE:
Circular Waste Management: The pioneering three-pipe sewer system in Oceanhamnen separates waste at source and transforms it into biogas and fertiliser, dramatically reducing landfill and improving recycling
. This system, combined with the RecoLab innovation centre, has put Helsingborg at the forefront of sustainable urban infrastructure.
Green Architecture: New buildings are constructed to stringent energy standards (passive house or better), often using sustainable materials like timber, and feature green roofs and shared gardens. This not only cuts energy use but also creates pleasant microclimates for residents.
Smart City Tech: Under the H22 initiative, smart sensors and digital services have been implemented in the regenerated districts – from intelligent lighting and traffic management to apps that help residents engage in community decisions. The city uses these areas as living labs to pilot technologies that might later roll out citywide.
Sustainable Transport: Beyond the electrified ferries across Øresund, Helsingborg has improved bike lanes, introduced electric buses, and even planned for an electric autonomous ferry (“Kvick”) to shuttle people within the harbour. The layout of Oceanhamnen encourages walking and cycling, with car traffic kept to a minimum, reducing pollution and noise.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF URBAN RENEWAL
Helsingborg’s comprehensive approach to urban renewal has brought significant economic and social benefits. The Norra Hamnen and Oceanhamnen projects have expanded the city centre towards the water, effectively increasing Helsingborg’s footprint for commerce, tourism and housing. New residential developments have attracted both locals and newcomers seeking modern seaside living – which in turn boosts local businesses from shops to restaurants. The Oceanhamnen district alone will add over 2,000 homes along with offices and retail, injecting vitality and consumer spending into the city. bable-smartcities.eu
With the introduction of high-quality office spaces like Prisma, Helsingborg is luring companies in technology, services and creative industries, diversifying the local economy beyond its traditional logistics and manufacturing base. Planners estimate that the H+ programme will create numerous jobs during construction and in the new enterprises and facilities that the completed districts support, strengthening Helsingborg’s position in the dynamic Øresund cross-border region.
Socially, the changes have been transformative for Helsingborg’s urban life. The redevelopment has deliberately knitted together parts of the city that were once divided by rail yards and port fences. By converting former industrial lands into accessible public spaces and mixed neighbourhoods, Helsingborg has worked to bridge socio-economic gaps. For instance, Magasin 405 in Oceanhamnen is being repurposed as a public venue to help connect the more affluent city centre with historically less advantaged neighbourhoods to the south. europan-europe.eu
The waterfront promenades, cultural institutions, and parks created in these projects serve all residents of the city, providing common ground where people can meet and mingle. In summer, families from across Helsingborg enjoy the boardwalk and sandy beach at Norra Hamnen, while the new seaside plazas of Oceanhamnen host food trucks, markets and events that draw crowds from near and far. This inclusive urban design strengthens civic pride and cohesion.
Crucially, Helsingborg’s renewal has also enhanced its appeal to visitors. Tourists now find a revitalised cityscape where medieval cobbled streets and fortress ruins seamlessly lead down to chic harbourside quarters. A walk from historic Kärnan (the medieval castle tower) to the marina shows the city’s timeline in microcosm – from ancient stronghold to industrial port to modern leisure district. Along the North Harbour, one can visit Dunkers Kulturhus for an art exhibition in the morning, then dine al fresco by the sailing boats in the afternoon. In Oceanhamnen, curious travellers can learn about cutting-edge eco-city solutions, perhaps via a tour of the RecoLab facility or the outdoor exhibits from the H22 Expo, all while enjoying views of cruise ships and ferries gliding by. The city’s investment in urban quality has paid off by making Helsingborg a more compelling destination for both business travellers and holidaymakers interested in architecture, urban planning and Scandinavian culture.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
Despite the widespread acclaim for Helsingborg's ambitious urban redevelopment projects such as Norra Hamnen and Oceanhamnen, some concerns have been raised regarding the affordability and inclusivity of these new residential areas. Apartments in Oceanhamnen have been priced significantly above the city's average, with square-metre prices ranging from approximately SEK 45,000 to SEK 80,000 as of 2022. Critics argue that such pricing risks creating an exclusive enclave accessible primarily to higher-income residents, echoing similar debates surrounding urban renewal in Copenhagen's Nordhavn district and the planned artificial island of Lynetteholm.
These concerns highlight the broader challenge of balancing visionary architectural and environmental innovations with the need for socially inclusive urban planning. Helsingborg city officials have addressed these critiques by emphasising plans to include affordable and mixed-tenure housing in other parts of the H+ development. Nonetheless, ongoing public debate underscores the importance of ensuring that urban renewal benefits the entire community, preventing new developments from becoming disconnected socio-economic islands within the city.
CONCLUSION: MARRYING HERITAGE WITH INNOVATION
Helsingborg’s urban development over the past 25–30 years offers a remarkable case of a city embracing change while honouring its heritage. From the historic port that once guarded the narrow strait, a new cityscape has emerged, one of creative re-use and forward-looking design. In Norra Hamnen and Oceanhamnen, cobblestones give way to sleek boardwalks, and old cranes and warehouses have been replaced (or sometimes reborn) by apartments, parks and science labs. Yet the essence of Helsingborg remains ever-present: a city by the sea, human-scaled and welcoming. Local officials often speak of Helsingborg becoming a “creative, pulsating, global city” by 2035. europan-europe.eu
– and on strolling through its redeveloped harbours, it’s easy to feel that pulse. The once-faded port town now shines as an innovative coastal city that hasn’t forgotten how it got here.
For travellers and urban enthusiasts, Helsingborg today is an inspiring living exhibit of sustainable development. It’s a place where you can experience the past and future in a single vista, imagining medieval traders arriving under Kärnan’s watch, as you stand in a smart new district that points the way to greener cities of tomorrow. Whether you’re drawn by history, architecture, or the simple joy of a seaside sunset, Helsingborg’s blend of old charm and new horizons, is sure to leave a lasting impression. As this Swedish port continues to evolve, it exemplifies how cities can reinvent themselves through vision, innovation, and a deep respect for culture, a true Scandinavian success story on the shores of the Sound.
Sources: Helsingborgs museum archives; City of Helsingborg urban development plans; H22 Expo publications; C.F. Møller Architects; Smart City Sweden case studies; Europan competition briefs; academic analyses of H99 and H+ projects.
Panning from Norra Hamnen to the ferry terminal, with the Helsingborg Town Hall tower and Kärnan in the background.
"Zoégas Coffee Shop is located in Helsingborg. Click the image to read an article about this beautiful café.
