The construction of identity : An urban study of the Centrums of Rinkeby, Tensta and Husby

Sammanfattning: The Stockholm Municipality has set inclusion at the core of its objectives for the city with its “Vision 2040: A Stockholm for Everyone” (Stockholm Stad, 2018). Acknowledging the divide between neighborhoods, the government has brought forward social sustainability as a key component to improve the fast-growing city. This research focuses on three of the most stigmatized neighborhoods of Stockholm: Rinkeby, Tensta, and Husby, where residents are predominantly of foreign background, to offer an alternative way of understanding inclusion. Specifically, this study looks into the public spaces at the center of these three neighborhoods in a comparative analysis of public life. The collaborative project presented here shows the importance of these centrums in supporting community life in the suburbs. Drawing from Setha Low’s research on public squares in Costa Rica, the following paragraphs suggest public space is not only produced by those who envision it, but also constructed by those who use it, through daily processes, behaviors, and habits. These observed patterns carry significance as they forge the character of a place, and address practices and emotions within a collective identity. The thesis puts emphasis on the dynamic nature of public space, the relationship between morphology and use, and the potential neighborhood centers have for becoming hubs of inclusion.