Reclaiming Eco Assemblages - Emphasis on ecosystem resilience in human-oriented urban design in Varvsstaden, Malmö, Sweden

Abstract: Many cities are facing the problem of old industrial areas whose soil has been contaminated with toxic substances created by different historical activities within the area. The great unsolved environmental problems, such as: water, soil and air pollution prob- lems, and habitat loss in the Öresund region today, are a result of the industrialization era. “Reclaiming Eco-Assemblages” lays out a manifesto for increasing consciousness in thought and in ac- tions when proposing an urban design for post-in- dustrial areas. It also addresses problems related to climate change including environmental degradation and increasing climate extremes. The interdisciplinary approach taken in this thesis culminates key aspects and potentials that evoke ideas and reactions for governments, architects, and developers in order to implement blue-green strategies with nature-based management. The project site is called Varvsstdaen. It is an old industrial area in the western harbor of Malmö, Swe- den. I have chosen Varvsstaden as it is a prioritized development area for Malmö City. The site today is experienced as an empty backside of the city. The development of the detailed urban design of Varvsstaden follows a literature study of ecological urbanism and nature-based management. This was supplemented with an in-depth regional and specific site analysis that focuses on spatial as- pects of the existing and newly built environment in relation to the spatial quality of the green and blue landscapes as they make the cities healthier, livable and attractive for all species. Varvsstaden, as proposed in this project, will become a pedestri- an-friendly district with a continuous and directly ac- cessible green path. Flexible yet robust spaces with visual and spatial connectedness will be the highlight of the project aiming to achieve a cohesive and holis- tic urban design approach.