Building a dream city: "Like Silicon Valley in the middle of the city"

The pace of innovation and proximity to Stockholm and Gothenburg means that more people are moving to, and establishing companies in, Skövde. To meet this interest and stimulate growth, the largest urban development project in the city's history is now underway. In the middle of central Skövde, the state-of-the-art, sustainability-oriented Skövde Science City district is emerging.

The site will be a center for technology, research and innovation, with a special focus on game development, tech and smart industry. It will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, adapted to the latest technology trends and the needs of game development.

The landmark of the district will be the technology-inspired office building Noden, with meeting places, event spaces and 25 000 square meters of specially adapted office space. Here, game developers and tech experts design their own offices and studios.

Skövde Science City is part of a creative development zone in direct connection with the university, Science Park Skövde and the growing start-up scene. It contributes research and talent, know-how and networks. A stone's throw away is the city center and travel center, with one hour to Gothenburg and two to Stockholm.

But the vision of Skövde Science City goes beyond just working life and growth. It also includes a comprehensive sustainability commitment, with new solutions for both the environment and society. Everything from own energy production, control systems for electricity consumption and adaptation to climate change, to how the design of the site contributes to well-being and health.

Residents will have modern housing, all kinds of services - and meeting places in the form of parks, courtyards and squares for life outside work. This has been a clear request from game developers and tech entrepreneurs who have been invited to design the district.

"The concept is really cool, like Silicon Valley in the middle of the city. Here we get both innovative business arenas and pleasant environments to move around in when we are not in the office," says Jan Molin, solution architect at the SaaS company Hypergene, which has an office in Science Park Skövde.