”Social hållbarhet handlar om någon sorts mognadsgrad” Teori möter praktik för en ökad hållbarhet i bostadsbyggandet - intervjuer med sju aktörer i bostadssektorn i Malmö.

Sammanfattning: Today, the concept of sustainability is central in several housing projects, not to mention the many other socio-technological projects for which the concept is a directive. In this study I problematize the relation of the paradigm of sustainable development to one of its main “pillars”, the social dimension, and how this can relate to the greatest challenge of our generation – climate change. As a vague concept and difficult to quantify, social sustainability, in comparison with generous concern for the environmental and economic dimensions, tends to fall out of the sustainability agenda. Based on the idea that socially sustainable communities and tackling climate change are interdependent this thesis explores how understanding the relationship between a practice with focus on social sustainability and growth of social capital can counteract such a challenge. The study target the theory of social capital which lean on concepts like trust and unity, contributes to a better understanding of the decision-making process as also being a social process, and conclusively can increase societies capacity to solve structural problems. The aim is to find supporting actions for creating a valuation tool for social sustainable practices in the narrative of climate change. Creating an analytical framework operationalizes this, which through housing market actions are analysed. Seven stakeholders in the housing market in the city of Malmö, all in central positions, were interviewed on the subject of sustainability in regards to renovation and production of housing areas. The empirical material is conspicuous and very compelling so far as all interviewees consistently and spontaneously highlight the concept of social sustainability. But, even though the concept is considered a main objective, the definition and the conviction of what is required or the objectives to be achieved are as diverse. The study finds key points in an ambition for intensified dialogue, to clarify territorial development issues and that the state must ”take the lead”. But the way forward, this study concludes, creating such a valuation tool falls back on the theory of social capital with the power to enhance cohesion and problem solving capacity in our society.