Housing affects equality affects housing

Abstract

The housing market is facing major challenges in terms of inequality. While the fundamental need of a home is widely recognised as a precondition for basic well-being, housing has come to be viewed more as a market commodity or asset than a rightsbased home or dwelling. This thesis tries to provide an accessible description of what mechanisms are at play in the Swedish housing system. In order to highlight and visualise how current housing policies fuel social inequality it proposes a design of a physical exhibition which could evoke discussion and establish a common ground of understanding of the matter. A literature review formed the basis for understanding the historical context. Its findings established a number of topics which were further investigated through exploratory visualisations of raw data. Finally, the most prominent or interesting findings were visualised through the design of explanatory graphics and objects that highlight the social and economic inequalities within the Swedish housing market. The investigation found a range of conflicting interests as well as substantial inequalities in terms of access to housing, economical gains, freedom of choice and access to information. These can in turn affect the individual’s construction of identity and range of opportunities. It also shows that current patterns of housing construction do not match the societal needs of affordable dwellings. The work is concluded by a proposed exhibition weaving together art and data visualisation in an accessible way, hence putting information in formation.