Skanska Report Calls for Rethinking Urban Development

Report finds cities must focus on resilience and long-term value creation, not just short-term performance.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:18am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished geometric objects in shades of steel grey, concrete, and brushed aluminum, arranged elegantly on a clean white background. The objects symbolize abstract concepts of urban resilience, climate adaptation, and long-term value creation.A conceptual still life representing the need for urban development to prioritize long-term resilience and adaptability over short-term performance.NYC Today

A new report from construction company Skanska argues that cities, developers, and investors need to move beyond a short-term project delivery perspective and instead focus on creating resilient urban places that can adapt and deliver lasting social, environmental, and economic value. The report identifies four key actions to secure cities' long-term prospects: designing for change, working together, designing for and with people, and measuring what matters.

Why it matters

As climate risks are increasingly priced into real estate markets, insurance, and regulation, the report says that value will follow those who design buildings and districts to be adaptable and resilient. This shift requires rethinking traditional approaches to urban development that have prioritized short-term performance over long-term sustainability and livability.

The details

The report, titled "Shaping Sustainable Places," points to a growing need for stakeholders to close the gap between how urban projects are typically delivered and how places are expected to perform over time. It calls for a focus on managing risk, protecting investment value, and meeting rising societal expectations around issues like climate change and community engagement.

  • The report was published on April 13, 2026.

The players

Claes Larsson

EVP of Skanska Group's Commercial Property Development and Investment Properties division.

Lena Hök

EVP of Sustainability & Innovation at Skanska Group.

Skanska

A major construction and development company that published the "Shaping Sustainable Places" report.

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What they’re saying

“Urban development is entering a decisive new phase. Success today is about creating resilient places that can adapt, endure and continue to deliver real value for people, climate and business long after construction is finished.”

— Claes Larsson, EVP Skanska Group, Commercial Property Development and Investment Properties

“Investors, insurers and central banks are increasingly integrating climate risks into their processes. Buildings cannot be moved, they must be adaptable to safeguard their future value. As climate risk is priced into markets, insurance and regulation, value will increasingly follow those who design for change, collaborate early, plan with people and measure what matters, so buildings and districts stay resilient.”

— Lena Hök, EVP Sustainability & Innovation, Skanska Group

What’s next

The full Skanska report, "Shaping Sustainable Places," is available for download at www.skanska.com.

The takeaway

This report highlights the need for a fundamental shift in how cities, developers, and investors approach urban development. Rather than prioritizing short-term performance, the focus must be on creating resilient, adaptable places that can deliver lasting value for people, the climate, and businesses over generations.