(SeaPRwire) –   STOCKHOLM, April 13, 2026 — Cities, developers and investors should shift away from a short-term project-completion focused mindset and prioritize social and financial value that spans multiple generations. A new report from Skanska finds that cities prioritizing near-term performance put their resilience, competitiveness, and long-term economic value at risk of erosion.

Titled Shaping Sustainable Places, the report highlights a growing urgency to manage risks, protect investment value, and meet rising public expectations. It calls on involved stakeholders to bridge the gap between current urban project delivery practices across Europe and the U.S., and the long-term performance standards these developed spaces are expected to meet over time.

“Urban development is entering a critical new phase,” says Claes Larsson, EVP of Skanska Group for Commercial Property Development and Investment Properties. “Success now hinges on building resilient spaces that can adapt, stand the test of time, and continue delivering tangible value for communities, the climate, and businesses long after construction work is completed.”

Four key actions are outlined to safeguard cities’ long-term outlook: 

• Design for change. Flexible, robust design preserves asset value, cuts down future retrofit expenses, and boosts long-term competitive standing.
• Work together. Early alignment of priorities and shared stewardship across all stakeholders improves planning predictability and long-term operational performance.
• Design for and with people. Early outreach and engagement with local communities reduces project delays, drives higher demand, and supports stable occupancy rates.
• Measure what matters. Integrating social, environmental, and economic performance indicators leads to more informed decision-making and stronger long-term results.

“Investors, insurance providers, and central banks are increasingly factoring climate risks into their standard operating processes. Since buildings are fixed assets that cannot be relocated, they need to be adaptable to protect their future value,” says Lena Hök, EVP of Sustainability & Innovation at Skanska Group. “As climate risk is incorporated into market pricing, insurance policies, and regulatory frameworks, value will increasingly flow to those who design for adaptability, collaborate early with stakeholders, plan alongside local communities, and track relevant metrics, to keep buildings and neighborhoods resilient over time.”

The report is intended for policymakers and investors committed to building long-lasting value in cities and urban environments.

Access the full report and associated supporting materials here: www.skanska.com

For additional inquiries, please reach out to:

Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska Group, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94
Dedicated media hotline, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This press release and previous announcements can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This content is provided by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/cities-must-rethink-how-they-create-urban-value–skanska-report,c4333654

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