The cultural sound zone in the area around Norra Grängesbergsgatan in Malmö means that nightclubs, live stages, associations and industries will be allowed to sound - also in the future.

Not very loud, but 85 decibels.

Similar initiatives have been taken in other European cities, but Malmö will be the first in Sweden.

- We often have noise zones for industry.

Now the idea is that we will do something similar for culture, says Sofia Hedén, chairman of Malmö's city planning committee, who has previously seen how cultural actors in the city have had to close due to newly built homes with complaining neighbors.

The rock club Plan B has been housed in the area for several years.

- We are very happy that we are accepted as a place in the city.

Now there are no limits to what we can achieve out here, it is very exciting, says Andrea Correa, band booker at Plan B.

"Had been the end for us"

Some who are less enthusiastic are the municipal housing company MKB, which had plans to build approximately 1,000 homes in the area.

- At the same time, we must take responsibility for the entire city and build a city that lives for a long time to come and is not just a city for housing and shopping centers, says Sofia Hedén.

The biggest challenge for Malmö's cultural sound zone will now be to keep the rents at a reasonable level so that it can continue to be a bit of an "underdog activity", says Sofia Hedén.

Andrea Correa on Plan B feels some concern that the cultural sound zone will mean more competition.

At the same time, she does not believe that the rock club had survived MKB's housing construction.

- We have had to fight for all types of permits.

I think it would have been the end for us simply, she says.

"Could turn his back on Malmö"

In Stockholm, a lively debate arose almost two years ago when many nightclubs and live scenes were forced to close precisely because of complaining neighbors.

Jonas Naddebo (C), who is a cultural citizen councilor in Stockholm, thinks that Malmö's cultural sound zone is interesting.

- Now we get a Swedish example where we can see how it rhymes with Swedish legislation.

I look forward with excitement to following it to see if we could turn our backs on Malmö, he says.

According to Naddebo, many people during the pandemic have opened their eyes to how important it is to have a vibrant city.

Are you afraid that Malmö will bypass Stockholm as Sweden's nightlife city?

- All good forces that work for live nightclubs and live scenes are good.

We should not see it as if they are facing each other.

I welcome Malmö into the fight, says Jonas Naddebo.

The decision on the cultural sound zone was made at the end of January and will be sent out for consultation in early February.

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- It should be loud, says band booker Andrea Correa at the rock club Plan B. Photo: SVT