Stockholm temporary : relevancy & potentials for implementing temporary architecture in Stockholm

Sammanfattning: Temporary architecture is an alternative urban planning concept which has been adapted in many cities worldwide during the last decade. There is however no common definition for temporary architecture and it is diversely labelled and applied. In 2013 it also became publicly introduced in Stockholm via the approval of the city's first architectural guideline. Temporary architecture is presented in the guideline as a potential tool for exploring public spaces among other architecture related themes. The ideas for temporary architecture are ambitious and promising. The problem is that they are vague and leaves questions regarding performance unanswered. The latter intends this thesis to examine. The aim of this study is therefore to identify the relevancy of temporary architecture in Stockholm and explore how it can be implemented in practice in terms of potential strategies and areas. A secondary aim is also to study the definition and meaning of the concept. Based on literature studies and interviews, the result is that temporary architecture is relevant in Stockholm. Temporary architecture can be used for creating more dynamic and varied urban spaces. It can also be used as an interactive tool between initiators and users. Applicable areas include almost the entire Stockholm but it is rather approaches and strategies that differ concerning their relevancy for the area in where temporary architecture is performed. Possible strategies are; exploring potentials of a place; revitalizing a place, highlighting a place, establishing non-programmed spaces and enabling actors outside the municipality to contribute in projects with temporary architecture as a medium. The meaning of temporary architecture is however more complex to define. To solely set time as the significant aspect is far from enough. My studies shows that it is also important to include intentions and actors in a potential definition of temporary architecture since it can be performed in a variety of ways. Also the symbiosis between context and intention is important and essential for temporary architecture to function as either a tool or as decoration. This thesis also presents a couple of measures that are left to examine before temporary architecture can be implemented as it is described in the city's architectural guideline. More clear is that practising landscape architects and architects in Stockholm are affected by the concept and that temporariness might become integrated as a natural tool among already conventional ones if it will be implemented on a larger scale.