To redevelop old port areas to housing and other service functions must be considered as an irreversible process from a port perspective. It is most unlikely that housing areas will be demolished for new port constructions in inner city locations. The physical separation of the port and the city is based on the assumption that port and shipping activities evolves towards an increasing scale and industrial character. Hence, in most cities in Sweden the redevelopment of port areas has not been a controversial question from a planning perspective. The general view stated is that the port is a large scale industrial activity which should be located outside urban areas. In Stockholm and Malmö the case has been somewhat different. In these cities the port still has a rather central location with extensive shipping. This study is part of a multidisciplinary research project which has studied planning practices connected with urban sustainability in waterfront redevelopment areas in Sweden. This analysis examines what kind of arguments has been considered when commercial port activities have been prioritized and what aspects have been conflicting with the urban visions. The aim is to discuss how the concept sustainable development is seen in relation to the global shipping industry, national strategies and local priorities.

Key word: ports, shipping, sustainable urban development, urban regeneration,