Förmedlingen av Hagas kulturarv, en undersökning på kulturarvsförmedling i de byggda miljöerna

Abstract

Although cultural heritage is a central component of the urban environment, there is often a lack of effective interpretation of historical context within cities. In districts with significant cultural and historical value, the public frequently has limited access to information about why the built environment appears as it does, how its design and history influence residents and visitors, and why the area is considered culturally important. This lack of communication can result in low levels of public engagement, which may negatively affect both the understanding and preservation of the city’s heritage. The aim of this thesis is to analyse and evaluate how the district of Haga is presented from a heritage management perspective, using heritage interpretation as a theoretical and methodological framework. The study further investigates how this concept can be applied to make Haga’s cultural significance more visible. A qualitative case study was conducted through field observations and document analysis of six different interpretive media, assessed using the TORE model. The analytical foundation of the study draws primarily on previous research in heritage communication and interpretation, particularly the works of Freeman Tilden (1977) and Sam Ham (2013). The results indicate that Haga exhibits several shortcomings in terms of accessibility, authenticity, public participation, and diversity of perspectives—factors which limit effective dissemination of heritage information. Heritage interpretation has proven to be a useful tool in identifying these issues. The lack of coordinated interpretive responsibility in Haga is problematic, especially given the area’s strong cultural value. This absence of stewardship risks lowering public engagement, which may in turn contribute to the erosion of Haga’s historical identity and ultimately alter Gothenburg’s urban character.