Berättelsen – ett verktyg för kulturmiljövården Fokus på kulturhistoriska berättelser i värderingsoch urvalsarbete

Abstract

In the past years the use of heritage narratives has gained popularity in the Swedish cultural heritage sector. The main idea is based on the notion that the story of a place constitutes the motive for conservation. Narrative as a tool for evaluating and selecting built heritage has been applied in a few cases so far. This thesis aims to evaluate this method and to highlight a critical discussion about its usability. It also questions how stories can be used to capture the complexity of the city and the understanding of urban life. By connecting theese ideas to an international field of narrative research we are able to deepen our understanding and relate the swedish work to a larger context. The traditional approach to heritage has proved insufficient to deal with the heterogenity and fragmentation that characterizes post-modern society. Heritage narratives have drawn increased attention to issues concerning democracy, sustainable development and participation in dealing with cultural heritage. The case study of the former asulym Konradsberg in the city of Stockholm applies a multivocal perspective and bring together different stories that can be mediated through the built environment. The study shows how narratives can be used to insert a place in a wider context and to facilitate the comparison with other places. It also draws the conclusion that the narratives simplifies the management and valuation of intangible heritage. A critical part of the method is the choice of story. A choice that has major implications for thevaluation outcomes but also for the selection process. There is a risk that distinct narratives are favored over vague narratives, wich in turn could mean that the method can be contraproductive if used carelessly.