FOJAB will develop Helsingborg's city center

How will Helsingborg’s city center develop by 2035? HBG City has selected the team that will lead the effort to develop a new strategy and action plan for the city center. The contract has been awarded to FOJAB, in collaboration with Manynames, TAM Group, and Lund University.

In 2026, HBG City will develop a new strategy for Helsingborg’s city center. The strategy will extend through 2035 and will outline how the city center can be strengthened as an attractive, vibrant, and competitive destination for visitors, residents, businesses, and property owners.

Prior to the project, HBG City issued a request for proposals. Several qualified bidders submitted proposals on how the work could be carried out. Following an evaluation, FOJAB and the other members of the team were selected for the project.

“FOJAB presented a strong team with broad expertise in urban development, retail, place-making, and process management. The combination of local roots and international experience provides a solid foundation for moving the project forward,” says Hanna Candell, CEO of HBG City.

The work should build on previous analyses and strategies, while also bringing new perspectives to the development of the city center. An important part of this will be translating ideas and ambitions into a concrete action plan with clear responsibilities, a timeline, and measurable outcomes.

– Helsingborg has already done a lot right; it has a city center with a unique spirit and a strong culture of collaboration. Our task now is to listen, manage, and evaluate, but also to challenge, bring innovation, and guide the city forward. To discover and highlight the unexpected, bring it to life, and weave it into a cohesive whole in collaboration with the city’s stakeholders. We’re so grateful for the trust placed in us,” says Åsa Samuelsson, an architect at FOJAB and project manager for the initiative.

The board of HBG City, together with the team, has held a kickoff meeting, and final delivery is scheduled for December 2026.

– Helsingborg’s city center faces both great opportunities and significant challenges. With this strategy, we aim to bring together the city’s stakeholders in a broad and inclusive process where the business community, property owners, and the City of Helsingborg work together to shape the city center of the future. The goal is not only to develop a new strategy, but to create a clear direction for the city center—with shared priorities and concrete initiatives that will strengthen Helsingborg as a vibrant, attractive, and competitive city through 2035, says Hanna Candell, CEO of HBG City.