Permanent residences
on Hasselö 

Hasselö–Sladö is an important part of Västervik's archipelago with about 35 permanent residents as well as seasonal residents and vacation home owners. The islands have an active local community with trade, restaurants, and businesses in tourism, construction, and nature conservation. The population is aging, and without the possibility of new construction, there are no conditions for generational change, services, and long-term viability.

In 2007, Västervik's Housing Company purchased the property Hagaslätt for residential development. Previous plans were halted due to appeals regarding water supply. But today, the water resources are deemed sufficient, and technological development in sustainable construction now enables the project.

The project aims to develop a feasibility study for a smaller eco-village with permanent residences. The housing concept should be ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable, based on circular systems for energy, water, sewage, and waste, and create conditions for relocation, entrepreneurship, and generational change. The feasibility study should also ensure continued maintenance and a vibrant cultural and natural landscape.

Activities include nature and cultural environment inventories, technical investigations for energy and water supply, architectural sketches, economic calculations, visualizations, marketing, and contact with interested newcomers. The project is carried out by the Central Archipelago Interest Association together with project leaders, consultants, and external experts.

Project goals

When the project is completed, the following should be accomplished:

• A complete prospectus/design basis for the next step, including sketches, technical solutions, and economic calculations,
• Proposals for the placement and design of the residences,
• Proposals for financing models and forms of tenure,
• Nature value inventory,
• Materials for interest recruitment and visualizations,
• Basis for application for preliminary decision on building permits.

The feasibility study should create conditions for the residences to become a reality. The project includes contact with potential newcomers, dialogues with the municipality, and submission of an application for a preliminary decision. The result will be the foundation for design and possible construction start of new permanent residences on Hasselö.