Model for including social benefits in investment decisions for city area development

Purpose and goal

The project has had the goal of developing a process for calculating Sustainable return on investment (HAI). HAI promotes decisions in urban development processes that increase socio-economic values as well as business values. HAI has been developed, with inspiration from a British model, through four case studies in Sweden with urban development projects in Malmö and later Lund. An in-depth market analysis has identified market demand from both public as well as private actors. A business plan has been drawn up and a semi-commercial pilot phase is started after the end of the project.

Expected results and effects

The project has resulted in a tested and applied process - HAI, which has been used for value calculation in four Swedish case studies. The process has been refined with support from action researchers. An analysis has been made of financing solutions that may be promoted by HAI and discussions have been opened with actors in the financial market. An in-depth market analysis has identified major needs and demand from public as well as private actors. A business plan has been drawn up for a five year establishment phase and further development is planned on a semi-commercial basis.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was carried out by a cross-sectoral partnership consisting of actors in urban development and social issues. The project has been organized in a number of work packages for test and model development, financial opportunities, market analysis and business planning. Model development has been based on a British method of value calculation and five case studies with urban development projects in different implementation phases. With critical scrutiny from researchers, the process has been developed to become a working prototype ready for a pre-commercial launch.