A Stockholm development company has a dream contract in its hands—the construction of a whole new city borough entirely of lumber that aims to be a sustainable ballast to an unbalanced city.

Spanning 25 blocks, 30 sustainable mass timber buildings will add 7,000 new offices and 2,000 new homes, with construction slated to begin in 2025, and the first buildings to be completed in 2027.

Known as Stockholm Wood City, the borough is not just an exercise in Swedish woodworking or sustainability, it's a much-needed re-structuring of the urban landscape since most people live south of the historic center, but most offices are north of the historic center.

The development company in charge is called Atrium Ljungberg, and it appreciates the concept of a "15-minute city" where everything is a 15-minute walk from one's front door.

"We are proud to introduce Stockholm Wood City. This is not only an important step for us as a company, but a historic milestone for Swedish innovation capability," Annica Ånäs, CEO of Atrium Ljungberg, said in a statement.

"From tenants, there is a strong demand for innovative, sustainable solutions—a demand that we meet with this initiative."

Timber construction of large buildings came about in the 90s with the invention of cross-laminated timber, known shorthand as "mass timber." Consisting of multiple boards of lumber fused together using sophisticated machinery, the mass timber could bear much greater loads and forces. Additional applications made this special lumber fire-resistant.

The company alleges that studies have shown living around wooden buildings increases well-being by decreasing stress and increasing focus, though no such studies were cited.

What they undoubtedly do offer however is a massive reduction in CO2 emissions, since cement and steel emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than any other aspects of manufacturing, and together just over 10 times what is emitted from air travel.

The timber is harvested in Sweden, made into CLT, and erected in Stockholm.

"Our industry leaves a big mark, and it is important for us to make a positive difference in both the shorter and longer term," said Ånäs. "The new development will create a dense, green city area with circular and sustainable principles built into the whole ecosystem."

Recently, Sweden built the world's tallest wooden skyscraper as a demonstration to the world what mass timber can do. This is perhaps a more sustainable and realistic open invitation to cities around the globe.

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