Västerås is in a very exciting period at the moment. The city is evolving and growing closer to Lake Mälaren. Västerås is developing into an attractive knowledge and meeting/conference city at the forefront of development.

In Västerås, enterprising and talented people are doing what was once not possible. New homes are being built directly adjacent to Lake Mälaren. The city buses are fuelled by our own biogas. New sport and cultural facilities have been built. In cooperation with the business community and the City, Mälardalen University is contributing more and more to the development of Västerås. Västerås is growing and developing more than ever.

The City of Västerås is one of Sweden’s 289 municipalities. Swedish municipalities have a great autonomy and the way they are organized differ in various ways. Municipalities are bound by law to provide certain services, while other areas are covered on a voluntary basis. By law, municipalities are responsible for:
  • social services
  • the school system
  • planning and building issues
  • health and environmental protection
  • waste management, refuse and street cleaning
  • water and sewage
  • emergency and rescue services
  • contingency planning and safety
  • chief guardian/public trustee services

Other services provided on a voluntary basis include:

  • recreation and leisure activities
  • cultural services
  • energy operations  

History

Västerås is one of Sweden´s oldest cities. Just outside Västerås lies Anundshög, the country´s largest ancient burial mound. As early as the Viking Age, Västerås was a significant trading centre. At the beginning of the 11th century Västerås was Sweden’s second largest city and in the 12th century, Västerås was named a diocese and the construction of Västerås Cathedral began.

In the 14th century Västerås Castle was developed into a castle stronghold. In 1520 it was captured by the Danes but King Gustav Vasa liberated Västerås in April 1521. The reformation of Västerås of 1527 was an important historic event whereby King Gustav Vasa ended Catholicism in Sweden. When mining began in the 13th century; Västerås became the country’s most important shipping port for iron and copper from the Bergslagen mining region. In 1623, Bishop Johannes Rudbeckius founded Sweden’s oldest upper secondary school, which still exists today.

The next significant period for Västerås began with industrialization when a turbine building was built on the river Svartån in 1891. The city´s entire development was significantly enhanced by Asea´s (after a merger with Brown Boweri, ABB) and by the founding of the metal works, Svenska Metallverken. Västerås became one of the country´s foremost industrial cities. The engineering industry has been very important for Västerås, but today the business life is more diverse, focusing on high technology, automation, logistics and trade.
 

Address:
Stadshuset, Fiskartorget, Västerås

Telephone:
+ 46 21 39 00 00

You can send an e-mail by using the form below.