The urban planning proposal “Down by the River,” designed by Mandaworks and Hosper Sweden, has won the architectural competition for the future city center of Floda, a small community near Gothenburg, Sweden.
Four key bridges form the starting point for four future developments. In each unique area, the existing characters of the site are strengthened while new additions help weave together Floda’s center. The heart of the future Floda is the Blue Square. It encloses the Säveån river on four sides and is the community’s new, natural venue for civic life. The waterfront promenades, the city center and the surrounding pedestrian routes gather in, on and under the square and give Floda a unique square that strengthens community identity and helps to bring the community closer together
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.