Industrialiseringens gröna kulturarv. Tre exempel på grönområden med koppling till industrialismen

Abstract

New thoughts about the importance of nature for the public health were evoked. In Stockholm, a new type of park was developed in the so-called "Stockholmsskolans" ideal, a "natural" park that would benefit public health in an era of noisy industry, overcrowding and ill health. The parks and green areas would give a structure to the city, provide space for outdoor activities and recreation, be a place of social and cultural interaction and protect nature and culture. These are things that are as important today as ever for a sustainable society, both for the sake of people and for the nature. Much research has been done regarding the importance of nature experiences for well-being and health. It has also been concluded that high naturalness in a green area contributes to higher well-being than low naturalness. Parks and green spaces from the early 20th century formed according to Stockholmsskolan's ideals are therefore valuable. This essay examines three nature-like parks in western Sweden, which in various ways have a historical connection with industrialism and reflects on the Stockholmsskolan's idéas: Mariebergsskogen in Karlstad, Hjulkvarnelund in Trollhättan and Zakrisdal, also in Karlstad. Of these three places I have performed cultural-historical valuations according to the Cultural-historical valuation method of Riksantikvarieämbetet, wich is based on distinguishing different sub-values, and then making a summary of the cultural-historical values. Mariebergsskogen, Hjulkvarnelund and Zakrisdal are three very different places of great cultural historical value where the values are visible in different degrees. Common to all three places is that they still matter today as urban green areas.