An Environmental Impact Assessment for Proposed Housing Development

The Stockholm region is for many years now in urgent need of new dwellings for its inhabitants. In 1989, a regional plan for Stockholm already designated an area near Barkarby train station for the development of new housing areas: this area, called Barkarby field, is an green and open area in the north western part of greater Stockholm.Soon, Jrflla municipality will have to make a decision concerning the possible development of the area. Four alternatives have been selected: the first alternative is the "do-nothing" option, which means that the project will not occur; the 3 others alternatives (called alternatives 1, 3 and 11) have been proposed by a company. These 3 options propose the building of new housings for 10000 to 15000 inhabitants instead of the airport, and the development of an industrial zone in the western part.Considering all these issues, it has been suggested in this study that the alternative 3 appears as the best compromise to take the best advantages from the area.if adequate measures are taken to globally reduce the adverse impacts on the environment, this alternative appears as the best.