GreenZone 2.0 in Umeå, inaugurated in 2025,  is an evolution of the original sustainability district from the year 2000 and serves as a model for circular and resource-efficient urban development. The project demonstrates how different technologies and systems can be combined to reduce climate impact, optimize energy use, and strengthen local circular processes.

The circular approach is reflected in the overall design: buildings are constructed in wood, energy systems are connected through a shared microgrid, and resources are reused through efficient heat recovery, solar energy, and local production of renewable electricity. Solar installations on all rooftops, complemented by a solar park, make the area a net producer of electricity on an annual basis. Energy is balanced through battery storage and managed to reduce peak loads, while district heating replaces geothermal heating to free up electricity for applications where it has the greatest climate benefit.

GreenZone 2.0 is developed in collaboration with several partners and functions as a testbed for practical solutions within circular resource use, smart energy management, and continuous improvement. By integrating businesses, technology, and infrastructure into a shared system, the district demonstrates how climate impact can be reduced, how resources can circulate locally, and how cities can be built more sustainably in practice.

You can see a video explaining Green Zones innovative termite-ventilation here: https://youtu.be/M5BnTi0L82w