Harboring Density: Exploring Density and Public Spaces as a Tool for Designing Mellersta Hamnen in Malmö

Abstract: Density is often used as a strategy to achieve a sustainable development in contemporary urban planning. A higher concentration in the urban environment of functions and people are argued to be essential to handle the climate change as well as achieving social equity. While a desire for higher density is often formulated in urban development plans by regions or municipalities, there lies a confusion in the many variations the term density can mean. What does it mean to develop a higher density in an urban Environment? In this thesis, I have explored the physical and perceived density in selected areas in Malmö to better understand how density can be defined. By using a multivariable approach in defining the physical density, the Spacemate method, there has been possible to calculate some of the existing densities in Malmö. While the Spacemate method is a tool measure the physical density, there exist another perspective on how we perceive density. For instance, an urban area can be experienced as dense, even if the physical density is not and vice versa. Additionally, I have also conducted visual studies in selected areas to grasp the perceived density to further nuance the concept of density. The issue of public spaces in the dense and compact city is also a dilemma. With a higher density in buildings, there exist the risk for less open space being available for inhabitants, impacting the amount of space for greenery and public functions. This thesis also involves the exploration on how public spaces can take form in denser urban settings. The findings from the exploration of the density in Malmö has then been the basis for formulating density values and qualities for use in designing a future harbor area transformation in Malmö, namely Mellersta Hamnen, into a mixed-use district.