New comprehensive plan charts the course for Boden’s future

At first glance, a comprehensive plan may seem far removed from everyday life. But the strategic choices made today can have a significant impact many years into the future.

A clear example can be found in the current comprehensive plan from 2017, which identified the area now known as Boden Industrial Park for industrial development. Ten years later, Stegra’s new steel plant is being built there, and the area has become an important part of the development creating new jobs and contributing to Boden’s growth.

“The comprehensive plan is one of the municipality’s most long-term strategic tools. The areas and priorities we identify today can create opportunities for development far into the future. The plan then provides guidance when we move on to detailed development plans and other decisions on how land and water should be used,” says Alice Sjömark, Urban Development Strategist at Boden Municipality.

A plan for a changing Boden

All Swedish municipalities are required to have an up-to-date comprehensive plan covering the entire municipality. The current plan was adopted in 2016, and much has changed in Boden since then.

When the municipality reviewed the existing comprehensive plan in 2024 to determine whether it was still up to date, the conclusion was that it needed to be revised. Since then, extensive work has been under way, with a focus on Boden 2040 and the municipality’s vision of a good quality of life.

The process began with a review of existing plans and planning documents to identify gaps where further knowledge was needed. Previous consultations and studies have been compiled and supplemented with new information.

Representatives from across the municipal organisation have contributed through an expert advisory group and several larger workshops. The municipality’s local service points have also been involved, including in efforts to identify areas suitable for rural development in waterfront locations.

For the first time, the process has also been supported by a political reference group comprising group leaders from the parties represented on the Municipal Council.

“A great deal has happened in Boden since the previous plan was developed. It has therefore been important to bring together knowledge from many different parts of the municipality and create a shared understanding of the needs and opportunities we see in the long term,” says Alice Sjömark.

Identifying opportunities for the future

The comprehensive plan does not determine exactly what should be built in a specific location. Instead, it sets out the municipality’s long-term direction for how land and water should be used and how different parts of the municipality could develop.

The proposal includes areas considered suitable for future housing and business development, areas where the potential for development needs further investigation, and positions on issues including wind power, rural development, climate adaptation, the activities of the Swedish Armed Forces and future infrastructure.

The plan also plays an important role in dialogue with other public authorities. Through the comprehensive plan, the municipality can clearly communicate which infrastructure investments it considers important for Boden’s continued development. One example is the municipality’s long-term position on developing a double-track railway between Boden and Luleå.

“The comprehensive plan is the municipality’s way of showing how we want Boden to be able to develop. It is used not only by the municipality, but also by other public authorities and stakeholders. That is why it is important for us to be clear about the needs we see, for example when it comes to the railway of the future and other infrastructure,” says Alice Sjömark.

Boden residents can now have their say

The next step is the public consultation, which runs from 21 September to 18 October. During this period, Boden residents, businesses, associations, public authorities and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to review the proposal and submit their comments.

During the consultation period, representatives from the municipality will be available at the municipality’s local service points and at Enter Galleria to present the proposal and receive feedback.

Following the consultation, all comments received will be compiled and the proposal will be revised. There will then be another opportunity to submit comments when the plan is presented for formal review.

The aim is for the new comprehensive plan to be adopted in 2027.

“This is about how we want Boden to develop for many years to come. The consultation is an opportunity to explore the proposal, ask questions and tell us what you think before we move forward with the process,” says Alice Sjömark.