A future-proof city with coastal protection for people and nature
Credit: Kentaroo Tryman
Published on: January 16, 2026
Expansion of the Port Gate (Hamnporten) in Malmö, Sweden, is part of the city’s long‑term development vision. Since the early 2000s, the area has been transitioning from an industrial zone into an attractive, sustainable district with innovative environmental solutions. Malmö’s comprehensive plan foresees expansion within the next 11–20 years. As part of the progress, the city identified a need for coastal protection outside its harbour to reduce storm impacts expected to increase with rising sea levels. It sought solutions that minimise negative effects on marine and coastal environments. Sweco was engaged to help align coastal protection and district development with biodiversity goals.
The environmental optimisation of the city’s coastal development was based on a district concept prepared by Sweco’s architects. Sweco’s assignment included assessing and adapting the concept to support a vibrant urban environment close to nature, applying smart blue design to promote marine environments and ecosystem services and focusing on shoreline biotopes and nearshore seabeds so newly created land represents geographically relevant habitats.
The future scenario described in “Hamnporten–The District That Secures Malmö for the Future” guided the evaluation and the promotion of biodiversity. 1,331 hectares of sea area were surveyed using a drop‑video system and side‑scan sonar. The datasets identified multiple coastal and marine habitats, including 308 hectares of eelgrass–a key habitat that underpins important ecosystem services. Sweco also conducted a literature review to identify species groups and local habitats (birds, fish, marine vegetation).
In Malmö, brackish Baltic waters mix with more saline inflows, creating unique biological conditions where species’ distributions are shaped by their adaptation to salinity. In addition, Sweco studied artificial reef concepts and designs that promote macroalgae and blue mussels, which supports water purification and habitat complexity. CAD and GIS were used to produce.
Key results included:
- Designed a multi‑section shoreline enabling natural encounters between people and nature.
- Created space for recreation and everyday contact with nature.
- Planned activity areas for play, sport and excursions, with small ponds that benefit a wide range of birds, insects and plants.
- Designed promenades and brackish coastal meadows that act as rich habitats and storm buffers.
- Recommended solutions that incorporate natural infill materials to create a more nature‑like shoreline. Harbour and quay structures were optimised with green-blue design to support key habitats and organisms, such as filtering blue mussels.
The project demonstrates how urban development and climate adaptation can coexist with biodiversity restoration–creating accessible recreational areas while restoring authentic habitats for wildlife in a previously industrial urban waterfront.
“Biodiversity is a fundamental prerequisite for a sustainable society and a resilient city. For our organisation, it is not only about conserving nature–but about being part of it. We see nature-based solutions as a way to bring together climate adaptation and coastal protection, recreation, and ecological values.” – Pär Svensson, Acting Section Manager, Land Development Division, City of Malmö
