The dream of Borås is the collective name for a series of activities that the City of Borås, Borås City Association and the Property Owners' Center in Borås hold to develop the city centre.
The city walk that took place on Tuesday 16 January 2024 is one of the activities that will identify the wishes of those who live and work in Borås Centre.
Within the framework of Molo Hubs, we intend to capture possible proposals that can be accommodated in our future hub. In this way, we show that we are committed and responsive to innovative proposals so that these become reality.
Despite a biting cold, between 15 and 20 degrees below zero, almost all participants who signed up for Tuesday morning's city walk showed up. Around 80 people who spent a couple of morning hours on site looking at central Borås. The goal of the walk was, among other things, to find concrete measures that can be done to breathe life into a city center that is burning on the back burner.
The participants were divided into groups of five to ten people who walked through the selected priority routes, Stora Brogatan, Stora torget, Posttorget, Lilla Brogatan, Södra torget, Sandwalls plats, Österlånggatan Hötorget and Allégatan.
Security issues were one point raised by many. Lighting was another, both for increased enjoyment but also as a security measure.
In February, Liljenby believes that one of the first measures will be ticked off. She is a bit reticent about what is at the top of the list and describes it as a bit of a surprise.
- I can't tell you what it will be at this stage," she says.
The prioritized action list that Anna Liljenby mentions initially will take shape already on Friday in a week. Then representatives from the City of Borås' technical and cultural administration will meet and go through the ideas highlighted during Tuesday's tour.
- This will be very concrete and close, which is reflected in the high level of commitment we see here today," she says.
Emma Larsson is an urban planner at the city of Borås and she believes that a mix of everything is needed to create a vibrant city center.
- It is about working with the temporary activities and creating events in the city, but also with the long-term structure along the selected routes. To have both large premises that accommodate larger activities but also smaller premises that provide a good composition and create dynamics," she says.
One of the participants in Tuesday's walk was Mia Carlsson from Vävkompaniet. She told us about a crocheted item on a tree outside the shop next to Knalletorget.
- Maybe that would be something. Crochet or knit something that attaches to lampposts in the center for a little more color and shape. You can do a lot with textiles," she says.
Planting of industrial plants, preferably with a link to the textile heritage, was another idea put forward. Knalletorget, as an entrance to the city from the Travel Center, was a place that the participants thought could be suitable for such a planting.
Håkan Göransson is a property manager at Willhem in Borås and he believes that the industry he represents must do its part.
- We have to contribute by trying to get the right tenants into our premises and that they fit into the way we think about different streets in the city center," he says.
Other ideas highlighted included allowing JA entrepreneurs to use and bring to life empty shop windows. Several participants in the walk on Tuesday morning also talked about the importance of giving more people the opportunity to move in and live in the city center and to create more central workplaces. A densification of the city center, or increased density as many chose to express themselves, which creates increased flows.
Those who gathered for the slightly chilly walk through Borås on Tuesday morning were everything from politicians to district landlords, property owners and officials in the city of Borås.
Source: City of Borås & Borås Tidning
Pictures: ©Borås Tidning