The neighbourhood that puts people first

Over the coming decades, Stokkelandsbyen in Sandnes will take shape with 1,760 homes by Lake Stokkelandsvatnet. With varied housing, car‑free streets and lush meeting places, the area is set to become a model for the neighbourhoods of the future.

Nils Alle, OBOS Block Watne | Photo: Multiconsult

“Sandnes is among the fastest‑growing municipalities in Norway, and the need for new residential areas is increasing in step with population growth. With one of the country’s youngest populations and steady in‑migration, the city is an important engine for development across the region,” says Nils Alle of OBOS Block Watne.
 

A neighbourhood for people

Behind the project stands Stokkeland Utvikling, owned by Østerhus AS and OBOS Block Watne. Multiconsult Norge and LINK Arkitektur are part of the team.

For Stig Harald Nese, general manager of Stokkeland Utvikling, Stokkelandsbyen is about more than the number of homes.
 

_{Stig Harald Nese | Photo: Multiconsult}

 

Landscape as identity

The plans build on the area’s characteristic terrain and natural features. The stone fences that define the cultural landscape will be preserved and given new life as identity‑bearing elements between the new buildings. Green spaces will connect the neighbourhoods and give residents short access to nature, activity and social meeting places.

Multiconsult Norge has developed solutions that will prepare the area for future climate conditions. Vegetation is retained wherever possible, and nature‑based stormwater systems will manage flooding in a safe and sustainable way.
 

Traffic moves out — people take over

In Stokkelandsbyen, people will dominate the streetscape. The project developers are moving car traffic away from residential streets and concentrating parking in so‑called mobility hubs.

“By co‑locating parking and internal car traffic, we reduce conflicts and create safer surroundings for children, young people and older residents. At the same time, we free up land that can instead be used for parks, meeting places and recreation,” says Gina Skogen, urban and area developer at Multiconsult Norge.

The mobility hubs will function as local nodes with shared solutions and common facilities, an idea intended to strengthen community, reduce car dependency and make everyday life more flexible.

The project developers will connect walking and cycling paths to the existing network, making it easy to choose cycling, walking or public transport as the preferred mode of travel.

“Stokkeland will include sustainable and flexible solutions that can adapt to society’s changing housing and mobility needs,” say Skogen and her colleague Espen Eek.

A neighbourhood for the future

Stokkelandsbyen is still at the planning stage, but the vision is clear: an area where nature, architecture and people come closer together. A district where children can play safely, adults meet over short distances – and where people in all stages of life find space for both community and tranquillity. All with nature and Lake Stokkelandsvatnet as their closest neighbour.