Proximity, culture, environment and quality are the four basic concepts for the Ystad's development in the next century.

In 1991 - 1993 Ystad was involved in a tangible environmental project "Town and countryside in partnership towards sustainable development of towns and rejuvenation of rural life" which had been developed in collaboration with MOVIUM, the Centre for Urban Environment at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. It covered six areas of study on the following environmental issues: waste disposal, flora and fauna, water, local food production, bio-energy and information. The aim of the project was to achieve sustainable social development as a follow-up of the Rio-conference 1992.

The outcome had been a clear and substantial change in the way environmental issues were tackled by many city departments. Town and countryside in partnership Project was also a natural starting point the Local Agenda 21 work in the authority under the leadership of the Environmental Delegation. Many organisations, such as non-profit associations, village "councils" and others together with local government departments got involved in the Agenda 21 Programme.

In spring 1998 Ystad City Council approved the Local Agenda 21 Policy. The Agenda was divided into ten different categories: waste disposal, biological diversity, the use of chemicals, food supply, production and consumption patterns, social planning, traffic and water. Every part ends up with a set of goals for how the authority can attain sustainable development in the next 5 - 15 years. There is still a lot of work to do but at least a small step forward has been done.

Below are given major examples of the so far accomplishments in Ystad:

• The city employees have been inspired to an environmentally friendly daily lifestyles, new ways of thinking, shopping and acting. This has been achieved through educating environmental representatives of many city departments.
  
• A functional collaboration has been established with non-profit associations, study organisations, village "councils" and others. Projects have been developed to encourage local citizen participation and influence the planning process.
  
• In terms of the biological diversity, an extensive tree planting project has been implemented. The aim is to connect city parks and green areas with the newly designed recreational areas and meadows, groves, tree- and bush-rows, and with the open water north of the ring road at the outskirts of Ystad city. The city comprehensive development plan emphasises establishing of a blue-green network of nature and water areas in the entire authority.
  
• Purification of water, garbage selection, innovative district heating network are other examples of successful spheres.