Between concrete, rainwater, and shared use: Fredrik Angner’s vision for skateable cities.

Skateboarding as legitimate space use

“Skateboarding is a full-fledged way of using public space,” Fredrik asserts. Just like a bench or a playground, a curb, staircase, or smooth plaza is part of how people appropriate the city. What makes skateboarding unique is the active, performative relationship with space. You don’t just move through the city; you reinterpret it.

Fredrik recalls countless spots never intended for skating, yet the city, accidentally or not, offered the perfect ingredients: granite ledges, flowing lines, wide openings. These informal skateable spaces prove that good design isn’t always planned. It emerges through flexibility, material choice, and human interaction.

From skater to landscape architect

At White Arkitekter, Fredrik works on a wide range of projects, from climate-adaptive plazas to school and play environments. Only half of these include skate-specific elements, but his skater’s perspective is always present. “Skateboarding teaches you to notice the details: the pitch of a surface, the feel of materials, how people move. Even in non-skate projects, I carry that mindset.”

His material choices often determine -intentionally or not- whether a space becomes skateable. But more importantly, he designs with use and movement in mind. “Skating forces you to think about how people really use a space, not just how it’s intended.”

Shared space over traditional skateparks

While Fredrik values skateparks for skill progression and safety, his heart lies with shared spaces. “A place where kids play, skaters practice, and people connect is far more interesting than a fenced-off skatepark.”

He references a Stockholm plaza that doubles as a fountain in summer and becomes a spontaneous skate spot in spring and autumn. No signs, no fuss. The space radiates openness and that’s why everyone feels welcome.

Low and slow: a philosophy of access

Fredrik’s design philosophy can be summed up as ‘low and slow.’ No towering ramps or competition-level features, but subtle elements users can interpret on their own terms. “Low, slow, accessible. That’s not just better for beginners, it encourages creativity for advanced users too.”

In public space, that means features you can sit, play, or if you know; skate on. It’s about multi-use without signage or instruction.

Where rainwater and skateboarding meet

A surprising overlap in Fredrik’s work is between climate adaptation and urban sports. Rainwater catchment areas, infiltration zones, and elevation changes are just as much design opportunities for skaters. He sees potential in combining aesthetics, sustainability, and movement.

“Imagine a plaza that captures stormwater when it rains, but offers a flowing ride for skaters when dry. That kind of multifunctional thinking makes cities both resilient and more fun.”

Designing for inclusion

Fredrik emphasizes the importance of inclusive design, not as a buzzword, but as a necessity. In earlier projects, White Arkitekter explored how girls experience public space and what they need to feel welcome in skate environments. What emerged were key ingredients. For example: clear sightlines, informal seating, proximity to greenery.

Sourche: Hiroba Research Group

“What works for girls and other non-normative skaters, often works for everyone,” he says. This human-scale thinking creates spaces that feel comfortable for all, from parents to pro skaters.

Material choices and sustainability

When it comes to sustainability, material use is a key consideration. Fredrik acknowledges concrete’s pros and cons. “It’s durable and beloved—but also environmentally heavy. And if it’s poorly maintained, it wears quickly.” That’s why he champions creative alternatives: reused elements, modular designs, and mobile features. He cites Berlin’s Tempelhof, where old DDR concrete parts found new life as skate structures.

The city as playground, if you allow it

Fredrik’s core message to designers: “You don’t need to be a skater to create space for skaters. But be curious. Observe, ask questions, and dare to experiment. A ledge here, a flat patch there. If it works, you’ll see it happen.”

He believes in a city that doesn’t seek to control everything. A city where design invites, rather than dictates. And where skateboarding -like any form of self-expression- has room to bring the city to life.

This conversation with Fredrik shows how skateboarding and urban design can strengthen one another. Want to learn more about how we collaborate with designers, municipalities, and communities to create inclusive and skateable cities? Get in touch with us, together we bring movement into public space.