Case
Söderscen – Placemaking in Practice
Client: Helsingborgs Stad
Location: Söder, Helsingborg
Duration: 2022–ongoing
Role: Strategic design, facilitation, implementation, evaluation
What happens when public space is treated as a platform for inclusion, cultural life, and local leadership?
That’s the core question behind Söderscen, a long-term placemaking initiative in the Söder district of Helsingborg. Since 2022, Creative Insights Studio has been the lead implementing partner, supporting Helsingborgs Stad in designing, facilitating, and developing the project through seasonal programming, workshops, festivals, and open calls.
Söderscen is rooted in a simple idea: public space belongs to everyone. Our role has been to turn this principle into practice by working closely with local associations, artists, municipal departments, and residents to build participation from the ground up. We don’t just run events. We co-create frameworks that make it easier for others to organize, take initiative, and feel ownership of shared spaces.
What We Did
Designed and implemented year-round programming with over 250 activities in 2024 alone
Launched the Community Lab, a capacity-building program for local associations to develop and lead placemaking activities
Produced the annual impact report, integrating storytelling, data visualization, evaluation, and partner insights
Supported cross-sector collaboration, including partnerships with civil society, city departments, and local businesses
Hosted international exchanges, positioning Söderscen in dialogue with placemaking networks across Europe
2024 Impact
9,000+ participants in 2024
35+ local artists and creatives engaged
18+ civil society organizations involved
129 bookings at Söderrummet (our flexible public meeting space)
3 international learning visits hosted
Increased visibility, trust, and local leadership in Söder’s public spaces
2023 Impact
Our 2023 groundwork set the stage for long-term success:
258 activities organized throughout the year
3,250+ visitors to the summer program
165+ bookings at Söderrummet, with over 1,000 cups of coffee shared
30+ artists & associations involved in Söder Art Fest
92% of organizers reported high satisfaction with Söderscen's collaboration
Why It Matters
Söderscen is more than a cultural program. It’s a strategy for strengthening local identity, promoting inclusion, and creating everyday opportunities for people to connect. For us at Creative Insights Studio, it’s also a space for experimentation, where design thinking, facilitation, and systems awareness come together in real time.