Snösätra in change - A design proposal for when an industrial graffiti landscape encounters a nature reserve

Abstract: In the mid 2010s, a group of graffiti artist asked for permission to paint the walls of an old industrial area outside of the suburb Rågsved in Stockholm. Between two huge rocks, near an overgrown lake, under a powerline in a lush nature area a non profit, public, free and informal art gallery established. Through a citizen initiative and engaged people, this 3-hectare land called Snösätra industrial area, used for storing materials and equipment also became a place with huge value for an entire art scene worldwide. In other parts of the same forest important biotopes was identified, year 2018 Rågsveds nature area was classified as a nature reserve. Due to this and general decay of the structures in Snösätra, the decision was made to tear down a third of the area. After 60 years of industrial use, the idea was to transform it back to nature. In the fall of 2020, bulldozers chewed their way through an important part of Snösätra and created a collective wound. At the same time, the municipality was investigating the possibility to create the remains of the area into a culture park. Snösätra seem to be at the crossroad with only two different scenarios, being torn down all together or becoming a municipal culture park. If it is saved, how will the values of the area be preserved? And what part will the active and dedicated people in Snösätra have? The different possible futures of Snösätra will be decided by choices made today. Will it be a polished and structured place for culture with order and rules? Or is a third road possible, with a future of a Snösätra for people by people, where creativity is free, inclusive and genuine?