KÖPSTADEN ELLER SPÖKSTADEN? - Visionerna, upplevelserna och materialiteten

Abstract

The aim of this bachelor thesis is to analyse the interconnections between the different meaning constructions of the place where the former shopping mall Köpstaden was located. In this thesis the marxist theorist Henri Lefebvre`s views on the production of space, play a key role in the understanding of the place and its transformation over time. Lefebvre makes crucial distinctions between what he calls mental space (implying ideas and abstractions) and social space (implying spatial practise). Lefebvre argues that a dissonance exists between the mental space, dominated by the bourgeoise and their institutionalised power, and the social space which is used by everybody. This causes an imbalance in term of interpretations of space. This imbalance of power is the central departure for the case study of Köpstaden where the spatial and material structures in the period of concern is studied in relation to visions, experiences and materiality. Köpstaden was originally founded 1990 by the businessman and entrepreneur Bert Karlsson. Karlsson had an idea of constructing an enormous shopping mall inspired by the main ones that you could find in the United States and in Canada. In the beginning everything went fine and visitors from all over Sweden came to experience the newly opened shops. However, an economic crisis caused major problems for the survival of Köpstaden. A new investment called Fame World Amusement Park was made to save the shopping mall. However, this project failed right from the start and resulted in in bankruptcy and ruination. The former shopping mall eventually became deserted for almost a decade before the demolition was started in the autumn of 2018.In this thesis we follow the transformation of the place from the construction to the ruination and how the production of space impact questions about values and cultural heritage.