IBSstä

IBSstä is a fictional municipality used in educational materials to illustrate concepts in urban planning and governance. Set in a temperate coastal region, it lies along a river that shapes its development into a mix of residential, commercial, and light-industrial districts. The climate features mild winters and warm summers with evenly distributed rainfall.

The model originated in the early 2000s as a collaborative project among planning schools, municipal networks, and simulated agencies to test sustainable development, participatory budgeting, and transit-oriented design.

Administration is organized around a municipal council elected to four-year terms. The council appoints an executive administrator or mayor, and the city emphasizes citizen participation through neighborhood assemblies and an open-budget process.

The economy centers on services, education, health care, and small-scale manufacturing, with emphasis on green technology and logistics tied to the waterfront. Infrastructure prioritizes reliable public transit, cycling networks, and energy-efficient buildings; a district heating system and solar installations are integrated with the grid.

Demographics are modeled to reflect material diversity and inclusive representation, with a population in the tens of thousands. The community uses a regional lingua franca alongside local languages, and schools provide multilingual instruction.

Cultural life includes a regional library, a district theater, and community centers. Annual events feature a sustainability festival and design workshops. IBSstä is frequently cited in studies on governance, planning methods, and inclusive urban design as an example of participatory processes informing zoning, services, and infrastructure.

Notable features include a riverfront park system, a compact downtown, and a demonstration district that combines energy efficiency with affordable housing.