“Urban development is about prioritizing between conflicting interests.”
This quote comes from the Hjerterom for Byrom conference held in Tromsø on February 13, 2025.
Because how do you make everyone happy with building plans?
The simple answer is — you can’t.
But with ambitions to create a district that contributes to both livability and a vibrant city center, it makes sense to ask as many people as possible — what creates livability for them.
That’s why we’re focused on gathering input from a broad range of voices — not just “those who shout the loudest” in social media comment sections.
One group we believe is especially important to listen to is the city’s young talents.
To ensure growth, it’s essential that young people either want to stay — or return after completing their studies — to live and work in our city.
And one day, they will inherit it.
So our challenge is to make the city as attractive as possible — for them.
On February 20, 2025, the annual Business & Development Day took place, and Hammerfest Business Association invited 30 students from Hammerfest Upper Secondary School to attend the conference.
Here, we had the opportunity to host a workshop with the students before the main event began.
Without giving them any directions or hints, we simply asked what they miss — and wish for — in downtown Hammerfest.
The students answered anonymously via their mobile phones using the tool Mentimeter.
Below are the responses we received — where the words shown in larger text were mentioned more frequently:
It was clear that the students wanted a shopping mall, more stores, and fast food options.
Some also expressed interest in energy — although we’re not sure we can meet the request for a nuclear power plant in downtown Hammerfest…
After this first round, we gave the students a short presentation of the preliminary project plans, our four construction phases, and the division of space as we currently envision it.
We then split the students into 5 groups and asked them to answer four questions:
1. How can Havnekvartalet increase the desire to live in Hammerfest?
2. What should Havnekvartalet look like?
3. What kind of tourist attraction should we create?
4. What should be included in Phase 4 (the wild card)?
Here are some of the responses we received:
1. How can Havnekvartalet increase the desire to live in Hammerfest?
– More jobs
– More social meeting places
– More to do / activities
– More tourists
– More restaurants/cafés
– A new outdoor space for 18- and 20-year-olds
– New stores
– Trampoline park, paintball, laser tag
2. What should Havnekvartalet look like?
– Modern, fresh, and fancy
– Simple – not too complicated
– Tall
– Unique building design
– Large windows
– Should fit in with the rest of the city
– “Take something from the city’s history and make it modern”
– Statues
– Light colors
– Greenery: trees, shrubs, and flowers
– Rooftop restaurant
3. What kind of tourist attraction should we create?
– Local history exhibition/museum
– Viewing platform
– Floating sauna
– Modernize Isbjørnklubben
– Information center
– Guides and buses
– Aquarium
– Art museum
– Statues
– The world’s northernmost McDonald’s
4. What should be included in Phase 4 (wild card)?
– Shopping mall with more stores
– Library
– Bakery
– Water park
– Hotel
– Underwater restaurant
– Nightclub/bar
– Trampoline park
– Zip-line
– Student housing or other housing for young people
– Biltema (hardware & leisure chain)
– Tennis court
– Golf course
– Padel
We would like to thank Hammerfest Business Association for giving us time with the students during Business & Development Day — and above all, a big thank-you to all the students who participated and contributed so many great ideas.
Do you have suggestions or other input? Get in touch here.
Text: Katrine Næss
Last updated: 10.03.2025