Harboring public space : radicant design for Malmö as a resilient harbor city: the case of Hullkajen

Abstract: This work explores an unconventional and extended approach to site-specificity for postindustrial harbor transformation, applied to the design of public space, in order to achieve a more resilient and dynamic coastal city. For the purpose of practical application, a conceptual design proposal for a site in Nyhamnen, Malmö is presented. In light of growing issues of urbanization, city densification, and climate change, the need for reevaluation of conventional methods within city development is a significant matter. Nyhamnen is on the cusp of change, from an industrial harbor to a new urban district, which is outlined in the comprehensive plan. Qualities and features, that are typically disregarded, are brought to light and form the basis of the design concept. The theoretical backbone of this project relies on three overarching concepts: radicant design, resilience, and public space. Through the iterative method of Travelling transect, the chosen site of Hullkajen and its inherent resources is explored. The design proposal is presented in four distinguished phases to illustrate the challenges and possibilities of site transformation in developing harbor space over time. What is highlighted is the ever evolving urban landscape that is contingent on temporal, dynamic, and societal shifts. The reflection accentuates that nothing is constant, but a continuous process, and that this notion should be included in the discourse and praxis of planning and design.