Förtätningens påverkan på social hållbarhet : En fallstudie om det framtida Slakthusområdet

Sammanfattning: A dense, cohesive, and mixed-use urban development is today often seen as an ideal to achieve sustainability in urban districts, where densification is described as a strategy for the development of Sweden's cities. However, densification is not problem-free, and brings with it several challenges, not least for social sustainability. Gentrification, social inequality, as well as reduced green areas and public spaces, are examples of possible consequences of densification. Furthermore, social sustainability is a difficult-to-define concept that lacks a general scientific foundation for analysis, creating challenges for how the sustainability dimension should be achieved in practice. The purpose of the study was to understand if it is possible to create densely built, mixed-use, and attractive urban districts without compromising social sustainability, and if so, how this can be done in the best possible way. The relationship between density and social sustainability was studied through a case study of the future Slakthusområdet, with the hope of generating guidelines for how cities can be densified attractively while promoting social sustainability. To answer the research question – "How is a densely built urban district created while simultaneously promoting the social sustainability of the district?" – calculations were made regarding the future outdoor environments of the Slakthusområdet, as well as semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the project. Clear connections were shown in the results between the calculations and the interviews. The measurement results revealed significant discrepancies regarding spaciousness, density, and the space of residential courtyards, which were also reflected in the respondents' answers during the interviews. Furthermore, the calculations showed positive results in terms of street width, intersection density, walking distance to public spaces, and mixed-use, which corresponded to the ambitions expressed in the interviews regarding proximity, good accessibility, sustainable mobility, and a functioning everyday life for all residents and visitors. According to the study's conclusion, urban districts should be densified based on the unique conditions and needs of the site in a way that promotes good habits, well-being, and a high quality of life for everyone in the area. All forms of density should be studied in development projects to create a supply of what is demanded in cities while protecting social values. A balance should be achieved between physical and non-physical factors based on the context of the urban district while strengthening important social values in the place being developed. Finally, densification should be carried out with an understanding of the urban structure’s impact on human behavior by creating an even distribution of functions that promote proximity in the district and align with the site's conditions and needs. In connection with the study, guidelines were developed regarding collaboration, the planning process, flexibility, measurement methods, and the development of infrastructure as support in the development of densely built and socially sustainable urban districts.