Growing smaller: Rurban interventions for degrowth
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Publicerad
2022
Författare
Sokolovkyi, Oleg
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Many small towns in Swedish rural areas were developed around one dominating industry which
they have been depended on. But high dependency on industries and economic growth often made
them vulnerable to unexpected crises. Yet, the current consensus is that continuous economic growth
is necessary for prosperity and freedom. Municipal plans and documents prioritize attracting businesses
as a remedy for depopulation in rural areas. But as history has shown, there is a need for
example of different forms of development there.
The thesis aims to explore how planning and design can bring positive change in rural areas that
have been affected by shrinking population. The case of this thesis is a town Silverdalen in Hultsfred
municipality. The design proposal takes into consideration the context of the place and its
history. The thesis will further explore how small shrinking town with industrial heritage can be
transformed with spatial interventions that add new uses to post-industrial places. This is done by
researching practices of degrowth and how they can be applied to a specific context.
The thesis work is a combination between the methods research by design and research for design.
The theories of rural shrinkage and degrowth have been studied to create an understanding on how
a small town with industrial heritage can be revitalized. By exploring the context of the place, its
history, and possible stakeholders, a proposal has been developed. It takes its cues from practices
of degrowth – reuse of existing structures, create possibilities for sharing economies and generate
social activities. The result is several design interventions that together strengthen the public
space and revive previously abandoned places.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
degrowth, rural shrinkage, post-industrial places, adaptive reuse