27 ideas for the future of the lock areas – explore the students' proposals
News 2026-10-20
How can the existing lock areas in Vänersborg, Trollhättan and Lilla Edet be developed once the new locks are operational? Students have explored this question in 27 entries submitted to the Lyft slussarna! (“Elevate the Locks!”) ideas competition. The proposals are now available for everyone to explore, and the digital award ceremony will take place on 20 November.
The existing locks, dating back to 1916, are still in operation. Once they are replaced by new locks in the Trollhätte Canal, the current lock areas will take on a new role. In the Lyft slussarna! (“Elevate the Locks!”) ideas competition, university students have explored how these areas can be transformed into attractive places for people while preserving and highlighting their history.
“The students have provided us with many inspiring ideas and fresh perspectives on how these historic lock environments can be given new life once they are no longer used for shipping. We will now explore how to incorporate these ideas into our continued work on the lock areas,” says Josefina Lenning, the project's landscape architecture specialist at the Swedish Transport Administration.
All 27 entries are now available to explore in the competition's digital portal. They present different ways of preserving the history and identity of the lock areas while creating accessible and vibrant places for the future.
“The existing locks play an important role in shipping. Once the new locks become operational, it will be rewarding to preserve the existing lock environments and safeguard their history,” says Henrik Lundin, Project Manager at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
Watch the award ceremony on 20 November
On Friday, 20 November, from 12:00 to 12:45, the winners will be announced during a live online broadcast open to everyone. The winning team will present its proposal, and the other award-winning entries will also be showcased. A link to the broadcast will be published in the competition portal closer to the event.
The competition is organised by the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Municipality of Vänersborg, the City of Trollhättan, the Municipality of Lilla Edet and Architects Sweden.
The students' proposals are intended to inspire future work on the lock areas. They are conceptual ideas, not approved measures or finalised plans.