Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Squares, these public rooms have always fascinated me. I find them interesting because of their variety in shapes, functions, design etc. Stortorget in Lund is one of Sweden's oldest squares, this essay is dedicated to this particular square. Of all the possible ways that you could approach Stortorget in Lund I have decided to do it from an urban design point of view. My essay is a sum¬mary of Stortorgets historical development.
My aim has also been to give a hint of what could hap¬pen with the square in the future.

My questions at issue are:

- How did Stortorget develop?
- What may Stortorget look like and function as in the future?

The most important source has been the city archive in Lund. To compare maps and photographs from different eras has been an important way for me to look at the development of Stortorget.

The essay consists of three main chapters

- how Stortorget was born
- Stortorgets early shape and functions
- Stortorget during the 20th and 21st century

Results
I found that the progress of the square can be followed in many different ways. The archives in Lund are filled with material and you can always find more. In my search for material I found that the human factor was the biggest source of error.

I have found that the square reflects the time and the people living around her. Depending of our demands and needs we give the square a suitable function and design. For example in the medieval times before people had water in their houses from the tap they came to the square well. Today the well of Stortorget in Lund is just a memory, instead you can find people sipping coffee from outdoor cafés, that is one of our times contributions to the squares function and design. Therefore I came to the conclusion that it is hard, maybe impossible to tell about the future of the square.