Planning from visions: An investigation of the future of Gamlestaden

Abstract

This study concerns the vision regarding construction in Gamlestaden. During the last century the urban district Gamlestaden in Gothenburg, Sweden, has been regarded as a node for the industry that came to define the city. However, the area is now facing large-scale construction, shifting the focus from industry to metropolitan. The vision for the foreseeable future includes a new travel centre which will contain a library, a shopping precinct, and a hotel. 3000 new flats are to double the inhabitants in the area. As visions have become an influential part of modern urban planning, it is an interesting concept to study. The vision for Gamlestaden is particularly interesting due to stakeholders’ variations regarding how the vision will affect the area. This study aims to investigate what parts of the vision are enhanced through different actors in the area. Through qualitative methods, interviews with inhabitants, business owners and planners have been conducted regarding the vision for Gamlestaden. What components are characterising it, and what spatial implications the vision could result in. Through a content analysis certain attributes in the vision have been found, these have made some discrepancies regarding the vision for Gamlestaden visible. Among them, the history characterising the area indicates a conflict of discourse between actors and thus a complicated situation. In addition, many inhabitants are unaware of construction. The study reveals components such as communication, movement and history as emphasised elements in the vision. Although visions are abstract and the planning has not been implemented yet we can hint a twofoldness coming to influence the future in Gamlestaden.