The development of the town center started after the colour scheme was first introduced. In the older and northern part the buildings flank the pedestrianized street and are positioned to create public spaces, which creates an environment quite different from the residential areas. Hence, the colour scheme is also different. The colours of the walls are in very light shades, close to white, but unlike the residential areas the buildings’ detailing are accentuated in bright hues. The walls reflect the artificial light needed during the dark season and the bright colours of the detailing enliven the streetscape all year round and thereby fulfill the original intensions of the colour scheme for the town center.

The choice of colours in the southern part is more random. When the company Store Norske Spitsbergen Kullkompani ceased sole ownership, privately owned companies was allowed to establish themselves in town, and with that came the desire to manifest the different enterprises’
character or marketing profile. At the time there was no planning regulation regarding the choice of colours on new buildings and this resulted in a rougher style with a mixture of materials and colours in very dark, hard to distinguish shades. The new local government has since commissioned the team behind the original colour scheme to make a new plan for the town center. The original whitish colours have been reintroduced, though these are not required for all buildings. However, areas of bright colours are to be included on all buildings to create continuity where shape and size of buildings vary.