Sweden’s first Cultural Sound Zone was established in Malmö in 2021.
Four years later, what has happened? What does the Cultural Sound Zone sound like?
Who stays quiet? Who makes noise? Who falls silent? Who listens?
Since 2021, new residential units cannot be built within 100 meters of the Sofielund Industrial Area; existing apartments are expected to tolerate noise levels of 65 dB at their facades until 10:00 PM.
Connecting the city and making it whole. Many projects have sought to contribute to sustainable urban development—breaking down the sense of exclusion while fostering pride, identity, and appeal in a segregated district. Examples include Rosengårdsstråket, Törnrosen Tower, Cultur Casbah, Amiralsstaden, NGBG, and now the Cultural Sound Zone. But how do we realize the city’s vision of a hub where culture, craftsmanship, and industry collaborate—demonstrating that a true city is more than just housing and shopping malls?
Since 1960, the Pågen bakery has occupied an entire city block (*Kv Lyckan*), bounded by Lantmannagatan, Kopparbergsgatan, and Norra Grängesbergsgatan. In 2014, the municipal housing company MKB purchased the *Kampen* block from Briggen for 239 million SEK. The festival began in 2016, helping to establish a dialogue among the many diverse stakeholders and businesses operating in the area.
When MKB proposed developing residential areas within *Kampen* in 2017, many expressed concern that this would lead to higher rents and force existing businesses in the area to relocate.
Some activists blamed the festival for instigating gentrification. Pågen paid for the lawyers who, in March 2019, successfully challenged the City of Malmö’s decision in court. It was determined that nothing would be built that could interfere with Pågen’s operations.
Until 2021, the "Cultural Sound Zone" (Kulturljudzonen) was known to most residents as NGBG (though Arabic speakers referred to it as *sharie aljameiaat*—literally "Association Street"). It is an incredibly diverse area, home to music studios, workshops, associations, car washes, factories, religious communities, shops, art galleries, artisanal production facilities, and three establishments with alcohol licenses.
In September 2021, the planning framework "Sofielunds Verksamhetsområde 2040" (Sofielund Business District 2040) was approved, establishing the Cultural Sound Zone. In this area, the tolerance for noise is higher than elsewhere in the city, allowing both industry and cultural activities to generate sound. Consequently, until 2040, the area should be spared the complaints regarding noise, safety, and traffic that would otherwise arise from the introduction of nearby residential housing.
Pågen, MKB, Stadex, Eroom, and Billgren are the largest landowners in the neighborhood. Ten other companies each own a building. Even though MKB is not selling the 'Kampen' block to the City of Malmö, the City remains responsible for the streets, as well as the Enskifteshagen, Gullängen, and Uddeholmsparken green spaces.
What a name, what a place—and what an image by Göte Rudvall! Could an urban art space be established here, in 'Hangaren' (The Hangar)? How can we realize the city’s vision of a hub where culture, craftsmanship, and industry collaborate—demonstrating that a true city is more than just housing and shopping malls?
Let’s make some noise! With an open house and open minds, join us in showcasing the creativity and diversity that make the 'Kulturljudzon' (KLZ) Malmö’s coolest neighborhood!
Pågen – Bakery
Rosengårdsfastigheter – Culture Casbah
MKB – Rosengårdsstråket
MKB – Kvarteret Kampen
City Planning Committee – Amiralsstaden
Masugnen 22 – Norra Grängesbergsgatan 4
Masugnen 7 - Norra Grängesbergsgatan 20
Masugnen 28 - Norbergsgatan 24
Kampen 25 - Kopparbergsgatan 4
Kampen 22 - Annelundsgatan 55
Ensuring the significance of the planning area as a dynamic business district for culture and leisure activities.
According to the City of Malmö, the "Cultural Sound Zone" (Kulturljudzonen) is a long-term initiative intended to contribute to Malmö’s continued development as an attractive and sustainable city—one where culture is also given space to thrive. By creating the right conditions for the cultural sector to establish itself, more opportunities are generated for businesses and cultural operators. The Cultural Sound Zone also serves an important social function, as the diverse range of businesses and cultural practitioners fosters social inclusion and diversity.
1. It promotes Malmö as the forward-thinking, culture-friendly city it aspires to be; now, Lund, Stockholm, and Gothenburg all want one of their own.
2. It protects cultural formats that involve loud music from complaints by nearby residents.
3. It helps keep rental costs low in the area and increases the potential for 24-hour usage.
4. It enables industrial and other types of jobs to remain in the inner city, potentially reducing the need for commuting.
5. It supports the NGBG festival and its locally produced, radically inclusive, and co-created projects.
1. Little is said about the clear benefits for the large factories in the area—but how long will they actually remain there?
2. It offers no benefit to the many forms of culture that do not involve loud music after 10:00 PM.
3. It is questionable whether nightclubs and bars from areas like Lilla Torg or Möllan would actually want to relocate to the Cultural Sound Zone.
4. Enormous empty buildings suggest that they are overpriced, poorly designed, or marketed incorrectly.
5. The temporary nature of the zoning regulations may complicate the sale of the Kampen block to the City of Malmö.
1. If "cultural sound zones" are intended to save nightlife from the decline of bars and clubs, might they be more effective if located around existing entertainment venues?
2. Will commercial interests crowd out opportunities for civil society engagement?
3. When will the factories move out?
4. If the area undergoes another transformation, where will rehearsal spaces and workshops relocate to?
5. Will the City of Malmö purchase the Kampen block from MKB and develop something worthwhile?
6. Is there any dialogue between the parties involved?
Property owner Kwame Moore wants to create a new entertainment district on Norra Grängesbergsgatan. However, the municipality is halting the plans due to health risks. "We are not prepared to risk lives or health," says Stefana Hoti (Green Party), Chair of the City Planning Committee.
Today, a unique decision is being made regarding a "cultural sound zone" in Sofielund—a decision that could have a major impact on Malmö’s cultural life and urban development for decades to come.
The political opposition in Malmö is leveling harsh criticism at the governing parties—the Social Democrats and the Liberals—following Pågen’s announcement this past Wednesday that the company will build its new, modern bakery in Landskrona rather than expanding in Malmö.
Plans for a "cultural sound zone" in the Sofielund industrial area are preventing the municipal housing company MKB from constructing residential housing in the ‘Kampen’ block. MKB has now responded, stating that they want the "Kampen" site excluded from the plan to ensure that a health center and educational facilities are not disturbed by noise from cultural activities. Furthermore, they have not abandoned their plans to build housing there.
MKB intends to provide adult education next to Pågen’s manufacturing facility. The bread manufacturer is now fighting in court to halt the plans, which they argue would hinder the company’s future expansion.
Welcome to the inauguration of Kampen—an urban sports and cultural center—and Fritidsbanken, a "library" stocked with sports and leisure equipment. The event will feature music, food, demonstrations, and a speech by Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Chair of the City Executive Board.
