Daniel Pils

Daniel Pils‘s spatial story

Born and raised in the rural village of Grebo, about 20 minutes outside of Linköping in Östergötland, Sweden, I was always eager to explore beyond my surroundings. A curious child with an early fascination for geography, I loved memorising capitals and flags, studying maps, and wondering what life was like in different parts of the world. So, when my family moved to the “big” city of Linköping, it felt like an adventure—until I realised I still craved something more.

Visiting my sister in L.A. as a teenager was a turning point. The sheer size, diversity, and energy of the city really excited me, and I decided then and there that I wanted to experience life abroad. I didn’t end up in L.A. but in Santa Barbara—a great alternative, all things considered—studying photography. On paper, everything seemed perfect: beautiful beaches, a warm climate, and a friendly, laid-back community. But something was missing. Maybe I was too young, or maybe I hadn’t understood how much I relied on the comfort of home until it was gone. Either way, I never quite felt like I belonged, and after one semester, I returned to Sweden.

But home no longer felt right either. Six months later, I moved to Oslo, where I worked in hospitality and lived with my friends while still having the freedom of being abroad. The ability to hop on a train and visit my family also made a big difference. After two years, I was ready to take the next step. Studying? Or traveling? I chose the latter.

Australia wasn’t the original plan, but with so many Swedes heading there, I figured, why not? I’ll never forget watching the flight map on my way to Melbourne, seeing the vast distance grow between me and home. It was both thrilling and terrifying—a true sense of isolation, but also freedom. And when I arrived, something just clicked. Melbourne was everything I had been looking for—bustling, diverse, creative, and full of life. What was meant to be a short stay turned into five years.

While there, I studied graphic design and gained some experience in the industry, but I started questioning whether I was on the right path. Designing ads and packaging for consumer products felt unfulfilling, and I struggled to see a deeper purpose in it. At the same time, Melbourne itself inspired me—its distinct and vibrant neighbourhoods, extensive tram network (the largest in the world), and dynamic mix of old and new architecture made me reflect on how cities are designed and experienced. That inspiration led me to rethink my direction, drawing me back to my early interest in geography—but this time with a new perspective. I became fascinated by how cities function, how people interact with their surroundings, and how urban spaces evolve over time.

Returning to Sweden, I decided to pursue a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and discovered GIS, which combined my interests in geography, maps, and design. After years of searching, everything had started to make sense. Now, at Nordregio, I get to apply my skills in an international setting, connecting local and global perspectives through research.