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Varberg Engages Stakeholders to Improve Peri-Urban Areas

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By Project PROXIMITIES
A group photo of eight people in a modern space with yellow pendant lights. Below, a meeting in a conference room where a woman presents a slide on a large screen, with attendees seated around a table using laptops and taking notes.

On January 29, 2025, the Municipality of Varberg held two key meetings as part of the PROXIMITIES project—one with internal representatives and another with external stakeholders. Both meetings explored strategies to enhance the attractiveness of peri-urban rural areas, improve access to essential services, and promote sustainable mobility solutions.

Internal Meeting: Strengthening Local Collaboration

During the first meeting, municipal colleagues discussed ways to reduce car dependency and invest in alternative transport solutions, such as cycling infrastructure, carpooling, and improved public transportation. The strong sense of community in peri-urban areas was identified as an important asset for future development.

Varberg Municipality has identified five key areas of interest for the project:

  • Sustainable development
  • Commercial services
  • Citizen participation
  • Smart mobility
  • Collaboration with developers

Participants were also invited to take part in a study visit to Manresa, Spain, in March, where they will explore best practices in peri-urban development.

External Meeting: Engaging Regional Stakeholders

The second meeting gathered representatives from Region Halland, Peder Skrivares School, the Federation of Swedish Farmers, Locally Led Development Halland, and Varberg’s allotment associations.

The discussion focused on challenges and opportunities for strengthening peri-urban rural areas, particularly the need for improved cycling infrastructure to enhance connectivity. Stakeholders highlighted financial challenges in providing public services for new housing developments, as property values in peri-urban areas tend to be lower than in urban centers. Another key concern was the high agricultural value of land in the peri-urban zone, which presents challenges for residential development.

Participants reviewed best practices shared by project partners in Manresa, Spain, and were encouraged to join the upcoming study visit to learn from successful examples.

These discussions mark an important step in shaping a more sustainable and connected future for Varberg’s peri-urban rural areas.

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