Public life in Stockholm suburban centres during the Covid-19 pandemic : Case study research of Aspudden, Bredäng and Mälarhöjden through observations and questionnaire based surveys

Abstract: This thesis studies Covid-19 influence on public life in three different Stockholm suburbs. Strategies to decrease the spread of Covid-19 have made people stay where they live and keep physical distance. Thereby more residents might spend more time in their suburban area and use the public realm differently than before. Similarly, current planning trends such as 1- and-15 minute cities emphasize the need for more functions in residential areas. The case study suburbs have varying characteristics. Aspudden is a very urban suburb with a high street, Bredäng a post-war modernist influenced suburb and Mälarhöjden a garden city inspired suburb. The findings suggest that people wanted to spend more time in green areas as well as socialising outside during Covid-19. Mälarhöjden appeared to use part of their suburban centre slightly more during the pandemic. The socioeconomic contexts of the different suburbs also appear to influence public life patterns during Covid-19 and more importantly put areas like Bredäng at a higher mortality risk for Covid-19 the other areas, which should be investigated further.