Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Malmö Kommunala Bostadsbolag Fastighets AB owns and administrates Örtagården housing estate in Rosengård which is a characteristic million programme housing area. Örtagården is densely populated which naturally creates an environment that is exposed to wear and tear. The area is today undergoing a change where new proposals and strategies are to be designed for further development of the inner yards. MKB also wishes to develop the park area which is centrally situated in Örtagården. The purpose of this study was to make an analysis of the development of Örtagårdsparken from when it was planned and constructed up until the state it is in today. This was necessary in order to gain a deeper understanding of what has framed Örtagårdsparken to be able to create and design a configuration proposal that can function as a foundation for future development of Örtagårdsparken.

The million programme housing areas have been the target of criticism over the years. The million programme building epoch (1965-1974) was characterized by the need to facilitate the acute housing shortage and in this way increase the housing standard for many individuals. The intention was to create housing for the modern human being to live in which resulted in that the area was exploited to the utmost. The priority of the space in between the buildings was low which resulted in poor outdoor environments. In several of these areas, many improvements have been made on buildings as well as in the outdoor environment during the 1970s and 80s. Despite the fact that several mistakes were made during the million programme era, it still remains as a part of our history and represents a building epoch characterized by its historical and cultural values.

During this study the plan-drawings over Örtagården have been carefully studied and interviews have been made with designers who have been involved with the planning of the million programme area during different decades. The purpose of this was to try to capture ideas and intentions which have framed Örtagårdsparken. The development of the area has then been evaluated by updated knowledge of today where focus has been put on aspects that never before has occurred in the planning of Örtagården such as safety and lighting design. The choice of aspects was done partly out of the idea that they should contribute to improve the social and recreational values of the park. These aspects have a great importance since they connect to new knowledge that has appeared and also new research that is considered important. The aspects reflect and are examples of what an outdoor environment demands in order to function in the social situation of today. Focus has also been put to aspects that have occurred in the planning of the area such as play environment and identity, for example the choice of ground material and plant material, in order to connect this to recent knowledge to find out the factor of sustainability for the future. The result showed that despite many mistakes in the area, there are original design principles and ideals which can be valuable to utilize and recreate in the future. By reconnecting to these values of design which will function as a foundation for the future development of the park, the entirety that existed between the buildings and the outdoor space from the beginning of the million programme era can again be achieved. The result also showed that the many ideas for outdoor improvements have not completely and successfully been utilized, however many advantages and good intentions have been accomplished which will be significant to future usage and design.