Råängen is a new neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lund in south Sweden. Over the next thirty years, the area will become a place for people to live, work, study and play. Lund Cathedral is spearheading the project, engaging architects, artists, developers, academics, environmental specialists and members of the public in a conversation about how to build a community for the 21st century.

Our aim is to contribute to the urban and social fabric of the city of Lund, to develop Råängen in a way that aligns with the Cathedral’s values, and to help secure the financial resources required to maintain the Cathedral. We plan to invest as much commitment and care in the construction of this new neighbourhood as our predecessors employed in the building of Lund Cathedral over the last nine hundred years.

Our journey began in 2015 when we established the values of the project (landscape, neighbourhood, hostship) which reflect the Cathedral’s commitment to supporting a new community, as well as assuming responsibility for the ecological debt when building on farmland. The Cathedral's role as host is also considered key to the success of the development.

The project was launched in 2017 with the installation of two provocative temporary artworks by the British artist Nathan Coley. Our multi-award-winning public garden by Norwegian architects Brendeland & Kristoffersen and UK-based engineers Price & Myers was launched in 2021. The first buildings, designed by Spanish architects Flores & Prats, along with a number of Swedish architects, are due to be completed in 2029 and will house the first community at Råängen.

Our programme is framed around four key principles: Time, Land, Money and God. These fundamental aspects allow us the freedom to experiment and play with big ideas and small-scale details. They drive conversations about investment, value, ownership, beauty, fear, faith, and endeavour.

Råängen is built on land owned by Lund Cathedral. The project is funded by the Cathedral board rather than members’ church fee.

Råängen is 5 km north east of Lund city centre. It is located close to Utmarksvägen in Brunnshög.

Tram: Take the tram from Lund train station to MAX IV.
Bike: Cycle routes from Lund city centre run along Odarslövägen.
Car: Parking is available on site.

Råängen has been initiated by Lund Cathedral’s board and is the first stage of a long-term development project in Brunnshög, Lund. Mats Persson (Treasurer, Lund Cathedral) and Lena Sjöstrand (Priest and Ph.D. in Theology, Lund Cathedral) are Co-Directors of Råängen. We have formed a Project Group made up of representatives from the Cathedral, White Arkitekter, a development consultant and the curator working on the project. This group is responsible for Råängen’s delivery:

Jens Almqvist, Strategist, TILT – Food System Architects
Åsa Bjerndell, Architect, White Arkitekter
Jes Fernie, Independent curator
Jake Ford, Landscape Architect, White Arkitekter
Ulrika Lindmark, Development Consultant
Mats Persson, Treasurer, Lund Cathedral
Lena Sjöstrand, Priest and Ph.D., Lund Cathedral

A growing number of consultants and fabricators are working with the Cathedral to deliver the first projects and develop strategies for the future phases of the project: Aurora, Svefa, Edge, Hilson Moran, Price & Myers Engineers, Proswede, Trivector & Tyréns.

Credits
Graphic identity: Lisa Olausson and Martin Frostner
Art direction & graphic design: Lisa Olausson
Website text: Jes Fernie and Jake Ford
Illustration: James Graham
Website build: Matthew Luke Studio
Photography: All photographs credited beneath images
Film: HolsterGreen; Few Family; LangFilm
Translation: Anders Kreuger