IN-PERSON Manchester Livable Cities

Abstract

Swedish municipal housing has historically played a significant role in promoting social sustainability, particularly in low-income suburbs. Most areas developed under the Swedish Million Programme (1965-1975) were designed with a wide range of communal spaces, ranging from small common rooms for tenants of a specific building to larger indoor sports and recreation facilities accessible to the entire neighbourhood. This paper will examine historical documents from Svenska Bostäder, the largest municipal housing company in Sweden, as well as historical documents from Stockholm municipality. The primary focus will be Husby, a Stockholm suburb where Svenska Bostäder was involved from the inception. The methodology will include archival studies combined with discourse analysis. Adopting a social justice perspective, the objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of how Svenska Bostäder’s role has evolved over time. The research will explore the company’s own documents and materials to analyse changes in their responsibilities, visions, and approaches to social sustainability and overall wellbeing in the area. This research aspires to contribute valuable insights into the relationship between changes in municipal housing narratives and broader societal transformations concerning social sustainability objectives.