In 2010 both Sverlandic Government and Godthabs Stad have identified a small area of Kungsgarden (King's Park) in Norrmalm as the future site of a next generation sustainable development. The proposed development was officially named as "Gronstad" (Green City) in 2015 to celebrate Sverland's official ratification and commitment to the COP21 Climate Change Agreement in Paris, France. The key objectives of the Gronstad project are simple - the development must be carbon-neutral, must be community-oriented and transport-oriented, and must be able to replace and exceed the number of trees felled by planting more trees. The development also has a provision in place for a future underground Tunnelbana metro station for the new Line T8 from Jonkoping to Norrmalm via Godthabs Universitet. 

The current population of Godthab is 475,000 and the city is projected to grow to at least 900,000 inhabitants by 2050 which is thirty years away. This projection has prompted Godthabs Stad a major rethink how to design, plan and grow Sverland's capital city, Godthab. Without any changes to urban design regulations and planning laws, Godthab will eventually succumb to urban sprawl in four directions - to Enkoping (25 kilometres north), to Nyborra (20 kilometres northeast), to Herrljunga (25 kilometres east), and finally to Gamleby (30 kilometres southeast). Godthabs Stad aims to avoid this as much as possible through more inner-city compact developments, densification of existing areas and infill development. 

Aerial view of Kungsgarden and Norrmalm before the Gronstad project began.

Aerial view of Kungsgarden and Norrmalm, facing south towards Jonkoping (upper left) and Nystad (upper right). Godthabs Universitet can be seen in centre left.

Aerial view of Gamla Stan and Norrmalm. The construction site of new Gronstad can be clearly seen in top centre - you can tell, the construction has begun!

The Gronstad Project is the largest urban renewal development project in Sverland.

Godthabs Stad has partnered with many independent developers, urban planners, entrepreneurs, architects, consulting engineers, environmental specialists, community stakeholders and residents to develop one of the highest ranking carbon-neutral and sustainable neighbourhood in Europe. Community consultations also have identified the need to replace cars with bikes and increased public transport, high quality recycling scheme, a large community centre and more street-level commercial activation. 

Gronstad has been under construction in a staged approach (Stages A, B, C and D) since 2015 and it is now 2020. The construction was completed in 2019 and Gronstad is now 90% sold out.

Gronstad is now home to 14,000 new residents in three highrise buildings, two medium-rise buildings and 15 new 5-storey low-rise apartment buildings. It is also home to Godthab's newest shopping centre, a medium-sized medical clinic, a large community and indoor sports centre, and two commercial and office buildings. Community groups has started planting 25,000 new trees around Gronstad, including along streets, and all trees should be matured by 2025. The first ever highrise vertical school will be built in Gronstad and it will be open to high school students next year. In 2026 if all goes to the plan, Gronstad will be home to the new underground Tunnelbana metro station as part of the Line T8 project. Sverlandic Government aims to start construction and tunnel boring for the new Tunnelbana Line T8 by 2021 in time for completion in 2026.

Aerial view of completed Gronstad with Norrmalm in lower right. Johannesfred can be seen in top right beyond the Norraleden (Northern Motorway). 

The juxtaposition of old Norrmalm neighbourhood and new, modern Gronstad.

The road between Norrmalm and the Norraleden (Northern Motorway) roundabout interchange has been upgraded into a four-lane tree-lined avenue.
The road upgrade was completed just before Gronstad completed all the construction in 2019.