Compromise or Preserve the Green Characteristics? : Densification and green spaces in Eriksberg, and the impact on residents’ well-being

Sammanfattning: As Uppsala’s population is in constant growth, Uppsala Municipality has designed a plan to densify Eriksberg and provide more residential homes, while localizing facilities for essential services and social infrastructure (Uppsala kommun, 2017:4). This will affect various green spaces in Eriksberg, which are an important part of the district and have long characterized the area (Lagergren et al., 2015:17; Uppsala kommun, 2017:19-32). Ample research suggests that green spaces offer various benefits to well-being, therefore, this study aims to analyze the effects of urban densification on green spaces in Eriksberg, with a focus on well-being (Kim et al., 2023:2; Coombes, E. et al., 2010; Guttman et al., 2021:2; Apkinar, 2016:76; Lee et al., 2015:132). The chosen method is a content analysis, consisting of a document analysis and a news media analysis. The results of the study illustrate that both the psychological and physical well-being of Eriksberg’s residents could, in several ways, be impacted by Uppsala Municipality’s development plans and efforts to densify the district. Moreover, many Eriksberg residents are concerned with green spaces being replaced or compromised in the development process, which the development plans suggest will happen in certain areas. However, the municipality has made some efforts to take residents’ opinions into consideration and, in certain instances, adhere to their wishes.