Runnivegen Health Community

Runnivegen Health Community is an innovative strategic urban development and master plan, designed to create a diverse and health-centered living environment. The new neighborhood addresses several present challenges, including demographic changes, shifts in the health sector, and evolving care needs in the coming years.   

The ambition is to develop an urban area as a new healthcare model that integrates healthcare services and offers a mix of housing typologies and integrated care services, creating a diverse living environment with residents from multiple generations and varying needs. Here, everyone can obtain age-appropriate housing that suits their physical and cognitive mastery level. As well as receiving appropriate preventive measures, treatment and rehabilitation. 

The strategy is based on principles that stimulate physical movement and active participation in the community. The overall goal is to postpone care needs and enable the residents to enjoy a higher quality of life by implementing 4 principles of Accessibility, Recreation, Social infrastructure and Healthy buildings and places. 

As an example of a new welfare alliance, Runnivegen Health Community demonstrates how private, civic and public actors collaborate to create healthier urban and residential environments. Private developer Linstow has formed partnerships with the municipality, private stakeholders, residents, and volunteers in developing the new neighborhood, while incorporating demographic data on future population and health insights from research center SINTEF. NORD Architects has integrated user needs, the municipality’s vision for welfare service integration, and population forecasts into a comprehensive design approach.  

The total of 160 housing units includes care homes, dementia care homes, senior collective housing, and mixed family and youth housing. All residential buildings are designed with a residential identity while the common areas and functionalities are differentiated and adapted to various needs. The goal is to avoid a stigmatizing environment. The neighborhood also includes facilities for physical activity, a health center, a community house, as well as plenty of green areas.