Temporal Dynamics in Urban Design : The Case of Möllevångstorget, Malmö

Abstract: Möllevången is a fascinating study of a neighborhood that has undergone significant change and transformation over time. Historically, the area was known for its working-class roots, with crowded narrow streets and traditional Swedish homes; but in recent decades the area has seen waves of gentrification and redevelopment, resulting in a mix of a new and old built environment that has made it one of the most diverse and dynamic places in the city of Malmö. One of the focal points of Möllevången is Möllevångstorget, a public square known for its various activities and temporalities. In the same day, it shifts from being the city’s most successful outdoor market to having its trendiest restaurants and even being the site of important protests and demonstrations. Möllevångstorget is an accurate and significant representation of the city of Malmö and the parallels that have and still define it throughout time, showing that its urban squares tell stories of human and non-human actors that rely on time and contribute to influencing it, thus creating simultaneous rhythms and temporalities that deserve us to take a moment to delve into. As our cities continue to grow, this temporality becomes more significant and important to consider in our public spaces, especially that our urban areas are dynamic entities that need to adapt to their users’ evolving needs. The significance of temporality in urban design and its potential to produce sustainable and adaptable urban environments are both examined in this master’s thesis. The goal of the thesis, which focuses on the public square of Möllevångstorget, is to identify tactics, design principles and strategies that can be applied to develop more flexible and sustainable public spaces. By incorporating temporality as a key design guideline and tenet, we can create interventions that are responsive to the needs of the community and that can evolve over time.