Kulturhistorisk värdering av rekordårens bebyggelse

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to explore the field of cultural value assessment linked to the built environment of the late modernist era, the Swedish “record years” 1961–1975. In these years a large part of Sweden’s existing homes were built. What has been valued and how? This is examined through two case studies, Stockholm and Gothenburg, carried out by literature studies, interviews and analyses of written statements about the cultural value of listed buildings and areas. In order to explore the assessments’ implications on the understanding of cultural heritage, the result is discussed in reference to the idea of Authorised Heritage Discourse (AHD). AHD is an attempt to describe the ruling discourse about heritage and how it constitutes our ways of thinking, talking and writing about heritage. The case studies show that experts such as heritage officers and conservators put through the cultural value assessments. The written statements tend to stress aesthetic reasons, mainly architectural values, as the primary ground for protecting a building. Historic reasons are only stressed to a lesser extent. The study indicates that identifying late modernist buildings as cultural heritage challenges the AHD as they have long history of being regarded as of no value. On the other hand, the identified buildings and the justifications for picking them represent a rather traditional selection focusing on architectural monuments. Clear conclusions can however not be drawn regarding the assessments’ impact on the AHD, nor regarding the AHD’s impact on the assessments.