The city centre of Kiruna has been forced to move due to subsidence

White Arkitekter has won an international competition to relocate the city centre of Kiruna in the northern most point of Sweden.

Over 50 teams from across the world expressed interest in the competition, 10 of which were selected to participate in the contest.

The relocation of the city of Kiruna has become necessary as underground extraction of iron ore has caused subsidence and left large areas of the city uninhabitable.

The existing buildings will be gradually phased out, and either demolished or moved elsewhere.

The Swedish practice teamed up with Norwegian practice Ghilardi & Hellsten Arkitekter to create a sustainable vision for the expansion of the city eastwards, connecting the city centre to the neighbouring settlements and the airport.

White Arkiteckter suggest that once all the ore of the region is finally extracted, the mine and its facilities could become a historical industrial park and regional tourist attraction.

The project is due to finish in 2040.