Vem värdesätter min värld? Kulturarvsanspråk i Christiania, Köpenhamn

Abstract

The Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces (Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen) have recognised the military history of Christiania’s area as culturally significant while neglecting the cultural layers which have been created by later use of the built environment. Christiania and the inhabitants themselves claim that their contribution to the physical environment also has cultural significance. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between the built heritage of Christiania and its actors, specifically the claims of heritage presented on formal and informal levels, and by the inhabitants of Christiania themselves. The aim of the study was to describe this heritage conflict while also establishing what is, or is not, considered heritage within the scope of the area. The study was conducted by reviewing and analysing three different positions of heritage claims; the formal, the informal and the individual. The formal claims were collected by review of development plans, maps and reports. The informal claims were collected by review of tourist information, information signs and actors. Six inhabitants of Christiania served as the basis for the individual heritage claim. By combining the semi-structured interview with a recorded walk, the purpose of the experimental design was to make informants better relate to their surroundings. The interviews resulted in maps which illustrated the six inhabitants different heritage claims and relationship to their physical environment. The study itself resulted in an analysis and discussion of the case regarding claims of heritage in Christiania in relation to heritage charters and documents, and presents possible solutions of how to lessen the described conflict as well as methods for communities to further communicate their heritage. The study showed that the individual was not consciously aware of their physical environment, and that community participation in regards of heritage is significant for both the community itself and for relationships between heritage agencies and the inhabitants of a place. Furthermore, the results support the view that the physical contains more than one kind of heritage, and the results provide some support concerning not only Christiania, but all heritage workers who handle complex built heritage.