Clara is shaping future urban development in Norrköping and Linköping

A strategist for the society of the future

Clara is an urban planner at Norrköping Municipality and project leader for work on the common development plan for Norrköping and Linköping. This work means that Clara and her colleagues are responsible for long-term strategic issues regarding the development of municipalities, not only in terms of buildings but also infrastructure and public services.

“My role involves coordinating and finding common solutions for Norrköping and Linköping, with a focus on creating sustainable structures that can meet the needs of the future,” says Clara.

Working with two large municipalities and their common plan entails both opportunities and challenges. Coordinating the different interests of both municipalities, while taking into account the regional aspects, requires both strategy and a great understanding of the different needs.

Challenges of complex issues

One of the biggest challenges in Clara’s work is to manage the different interests that arise when drawing up a development plan. Many stakeholders have views on how the land should be used, how traffic solutions should be designed, and how to plan for future housing and workplaces.

“The difficult thing is to weigh all these interests against each other and find the best solution to complex, structural problems,” Clara explains and continues:

“I work as if on a kind of weighing scale, where I try to balance between different needs and goals. This means that the job is always challenging, but never boring.”

Another aspect that makes her work unique is the collaboration between Norrköping and Linköping. Creating a common plan for two municipalities is not common, and it requires a high degree of collaboration and willingness to compromise on both sides. But it’s also one of the parts of her job that Clara appreciates most.

From studies to working life

Clara’s journey into working life began during her master’s degree at Linköping University, where she studied strategic urban and regional planning. During her studies, she also worked as a student employee at the County Administrative Board of Östergötland, which gave her practical experience while she also built up a network in the area.

“I graduated on a Friday and started working full-time on the Monday, so the fact that I already had experience from the County Administrative Board made the transition to working life much smoother,” says Clara.

Her commitment, both voluntary and in student life, during her studies was also important for building a strong CV. It was through these activities that she gained contacts and experiences that helped her to quickly move into professional life.

An international and demanding education

Clara’s interest in social development led her to first take a bachelor’s degree in international work with global studies at the University of Gothenburg, and then move on to a master’s degree in strategic urban and regional planning at Linköping University.

“I chose the programme because I wanted to work with societal development, and spatial planning offered a good combination of collaboration and strategic work,” she explains.

She describes the programme as both interesting and demanding, with many discussions about complex societal issues and how they can be solved. The international aspect was also important, as it gave different perspectives on the same problem, which she now sees as a great asset in her work.

“The programme was very rewarding, and I’m grateful that I was able to build on my previous education. Without these skills, I wouldn’t have been able to get the job I have today, which I really love,” says Clara.

Tips for future students

Clara advises those who are thinking about studying on the same programme to think carefully about what they want to work with afterwards. The programme offers a broad foundation to stand on, but it is important to carve out a niche for oneself in order to be competitive in the labour market.

“I knew I wanted to work with regional issues, so I chose courses that prepared me for just that. Having a clear direction allows you to maximise your education and be well prepared when applying for a job,” Clara advises.

Promoting a sustainable society

For Clara, the best part of the job is working with social issues that really make a difference. She gets to collaborate with a variety of people, both within the municipality and externally, and this gives her the opportunity to be involved in the short and long term development of society.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that what I’m working on today will shape the society of the future, so being part of that process and contributing to a better society today and tomorrow is what makes my job so exciting,” she says.

In the future, Clara is looking forward to continuing to develop the common development plan for Norrköping and Linköping and to creating sustainable solutions for future urban development.