Urban entrepreneurialism and the right to the city – between discourse and practice The case of Norra Sorgenfri, Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: This thesis examines the discursive and practical use of the theoretical concept of the entrepreneurial city in a case study of a new city district, Norra Sorgenfri, Malmö, Sweden. A concern with the concept of the right to the city and use of Norra Sorgenfri’s public spaces is part of the examination. The entrepreneurial city approach suggest that contemporary cities are developed primarily through speculative projects. This indicates public-private partnerships and investment in risk-laden development projects instead of focusing on social issues After a thorough analysis of Malmö City’s official documents on Norra Sorgenfri, interviews with relevant public officials working for Malmö City and the news coverage of Norra Sorgenfri, it is concluded that the project indeed reproduces entrepreneurial city discourses and in extent, a neoliberal discourse order. The so called good intentions of the project and its potential for truly public spaces is in danger of just being empty words when the value of the area is increasing.