RURBAN COMMON SPACES In future scenarios of collaborative economy and local self-sufficiency

Abstract

Although we find ourselves in the age of climate emergency, the gap between climate pledges from authorities and impactful action is undeniable. Many mean that current economic systems, oriented towards infinite growth, are working counteractive to a transition and that the solutions lie beyond them. The non-urban context is often overlooked in discussions about future development that responds to the climate crisis. Sweden largely consists of areas that can be categorized as in between rural and urban – rurban. These places have undergone substantial transformations during the last century where profit driven urbanization and globalization processes have caused job opportunities and services to move elsewhere. Simultaneously, there is a growing movement of people wanting to explore alternative ways of life within the planetary boundaries. There are many examples of bottom-up initiatives, often based in a rurban context, using the conditions to their advantage. This thesis explores this window of opportunity. The aim is to explore alternative strategies for development of the Swedish rurban context beyond the economic growth-oriented norm though the following questions: How can the needs for rurban communities in future scenarios of collaborative economy and local self-sufficiency be spatialized? How can the spaces be characterized to relate to the identity and history of a site while proposing an alternative future? Literature studies on future scenario narratives of collaborative economy and local self-sufficiency is used to compile a collection of design principles applicable to different scales. The site of the thesis is the former mill town Strömsfors, Sweden. The principles are filtered through findings from the site analysis resulting in site sensitive design strategies for common rurban spaces. The strategies describe the need for spaces used for sharing, connecting and using local resources. An important enabling factor for implementing these functions is a strengthened sense of community, possibly achieved through revitalization of common spaces and buildings with heritage value. The transformation proposal consists of adaptive re-use of buildings and activation of in-between spaces. The thesis concludes with discussing the importance of contextualization in design of rurban common spaces and how the thesis is a way to raise questions on the topics and visualize one of many possible futures.