Kista is lighting up like never before thanks to a groundbreaking pilot project. Through a collaboration between the City of Stockholm and Kista Limitless, a more vibrant and cosy urban space is being created. With glittering seasonal lighting stretching all the way from Kistamässan to Jan Stenbecks torg, the project aims to make public spaces more inviting, transforming them into a welcoming environment where future collaborations are ignited.
Kista has taken a significant step forward with its new seasonal lighting, the result of a unique collaboration between the city and Kista Limitless. By investing in lighting during the darkest months of the year, the goal is to make the urban space more vibrant and inviting, something never attempted at this scale in Kista before. The project is unique in that Kista Limitless finances the entire lighting investment, while the city handles operations and maintenance. This three-year collaboration aims to increase both the cosiness factor and the well-being of the area.
"When I was asked to focus on Kista in this unique collaboration, I felt wow, this could be really good, exciting and interesting."
A thrilling place to work with
As Christmas approaches, we catch up with Björn Lundwall, who works with temporary decorative lighting and is responsible for the City of Stockholm’s Christmas lights, among other things. He also supports the Levande Stockholm initiative with lighting design, exploring opportunities for collaborations with various business associations. "It's a thrilling place to work with," says Björn. "We see Kista as a place with great potential, and this project can truly make a difference for both those who work and live here."
A unique pilot project in Kista
Levande Stockholm aims to make public spaces more welcoming, but like many other initiatives, the budget is limited. Through the collaboration, completely new opportunities are created to achieve more. "It's a pilot project where we have made a collaboration agreement between the city and Kista Limitless that extends over three years," says Björn. The City of Stockholm owns the streets, electricity, and most of the infrastructure in Kista and acts as the main contractor, with Kista Limitless providing the seasonal lighting while the city handles all operations and maintenance. "When I was asked to focus on Kista in this unique collaboration, I felt wow, this could be really good, exciting and interesting."
"A thing like this would be very difficult for the city to accomplish without Kista Limitless," Björn continues. " It goes without saying that it's not feasible to have dialogues with countless individual companies. But when there’s an organisation like Kista Limitless or City i Samverkan, it works."
"Providing something like this for the area shows consideration, making it cosier and more pleasant for everyone.”
Seasonal lighting at six key locations
With lighting installed at six key locations in Kista, including Kistagången, Grönlandsparken, Grönlandsgången and in the tunnel under Torshamnsgatan, the pilot project creates a cosy atmosphere that lasts over the entire winter season, right up until March. A fundamental aspect of the design was ensuring that the lighting could be relocated and used elsewhere in Kista. One reason for this is the construction of the Tvärbanan, which will run along the entire Kistagången and also under Torshamnsgatan. "There’s been an embryo for this project for two or three years, but we needed a collaboration agreement." The initiative is part of a larger investment in public spaces in Stockholm and demonstrates how collaborations between the city and businesses can transform the urban landscape.
The mural in the photo was created by Rookie Startups' summer workers using preschool children's drawings to bring life to the local area and highlight the voices of the youngest in society.
With consideration for the area
When asked how he thinks the lighting will be received by those who work and live in Kista, Björn responds confidently: "Well, there’s really only one answer to that question. Very few people dislike this kind of decoration and thoughtfulness, because it’s a gesture of consideration, making the area feel cosier. So yes, I believe everyone will love it. We want collaborations, it’s one city, and we all want to make the best of it." Considering Kista’s unique dynamic, with all the exciting businesses and numerous new homes being built, the new lighting gives the district a real boost.
And the future looks bright – literally – for Kista, with more collaborations in sight!
Fun fact
Did you know that the lighting in Kista is controlled by a twilight relay and not a timer? This means it is only lit when it is dark outside.
