Erik Wingquist - Europan

EUROPAN (2006-2012)

Europan is a European federation of national organizations that runs biennial architectural and urban design competitions focused. Directed at young professionals under the age of 40, it acts as a "laboratory for new ideas," providing a platform for innovative talent to engage with municipal authorities on complex urban challenges. Europan Sweden operates as a non-profit foundation, facilitating these competitions to promote urban studies and the implementation of experimental projects across Swedish cities. I was the general secretary of Europan Sweden between 2006 and 2012 together with Anders Johansson .

Europan 9 (2006–2008)
The competition centered on the theme "European Urbanity: Sustainable City and New Public Spaces". It emphasized "internal extension"—the concept of "building the town on the town" by converting industrial or obsolete sites rather than colonizing new natural land. In Sweden, this session focused on repairing fragmented urban fabrics and creating new public space opportunities. Europan Sweden participatde with three sites: Nacka, Upplands Väsby, and Tjörn.

Europan 10: (2008–2010)
Session 10 was themed "Inventing Urbanity," with a goal to bridge the gap between architecture and urbanism to make planning more "architectural". It explored the tension between modern individualism and the desire for neighborhood social networks. Swedish sites in Lerum, Kisa and Östhammar served as laboratories for these ideas.

Europan 11 (2010–2012)
Europan 11 addressed "Resonance Between Territories and Ways of Life," focusing on urban adaptation in the wake of global environmental goals. The session prioritized densification and the reconnection of disconnected urban and natural fabrics. In Sweden, projects in Malmö, Norrköping, Nynäshamn, and Simrishamn explored how architectures could evolve to support sustainable lifestyles and climate-neutral urban development.

Technical Committee
The Technical Committee (or Commission) acts as the engine of expert analysis for the competition, responsible for verifying that all entries comply with international rules. They classify proposals by strategy and provide the national jury with structured oral descriptions and technical evaluations of the projects. During Sessions 10, and 11, I was a member of the committee, moderating debates, analyzing proposals and hosting the Forum of Sites, Forum of Cities and Juries and Forum of Results.

Europanic
A book that combined the results of Europan 11 with a summary of Europan during 25 years. I was the co-editor of the book.