Socka; a Malmö-based exploration of assessing urban spaces from a social perspective

Abstract

This thesis explores an intersection between social sustainability and urban design, focused on social impact assessments (SIAs) in Malmö. The project identifies development potentials of Malmö stad’s current social impact assessment model (SKB) through interviews with civil servants. This exploration reveals the need for future iterations to provide guidance for both measurable and qualitative social aspects, be usable throughout the planning process, flexible enough to provide learning loops and maintain a firm focus on spatial qualities rather than policies. An extensive literature review, document study and analysis is performed to establish a theoretical framework. Six main categories of socio-spatial design principles to consider are found through this exploration: Sense of safety, Accessibility and connections, Health and well-being, Social life and meetings, Experiential qualities and Equal possibility of use. The concepts are nuanced into a process-based tool constructed to meet the identified development potentials, herein named the SOCKA (Sociala konsekvenser- analysmetod). The SOCKA is tested by performing an evaluation of a section of Amiralsgatan in Malmö. Following this test, reflections on its usefulness and relevant ways in which the exploration can continue is presented. The test revealed that qualitative knowledge production requires sufficient time spent on sight in in order to meet its inherent potentials in the assessment process. A deeper application of quantitative data through municipal use is also thought to improve the knowledge production of the approach. The test revealed that the use of the SOCKA holds great potential throughout the planning timeline. Furthermore, considering design as a means of mitigating negative social impacts might be a powerful tool for architects to explore in the future of the field. In conclusion, this project answered the research questions by developing a new approach for performing social impact assessments (SOCKA) and testing it in Malmö, through a balance of quantitative and qualitative methods, flexible processes and socio-spatial aspects. The project finds that such an approach can aid in assessing social impacts and guide mitigating interventions for projects through a number of generated design principles and processes. Continued exploration of similar methods in future research is vital for social sustainability to be acknowledged for the important potentials it holds for architects and urban developers.