Känsla för vatten : rekreation i innerstad med fokus på bad

Abstract: This graduation thesis is about baths and beach like places in city centers. It focuses on recreation and the creation and development of public, social spaces in the city containing water as a visual and useable element. The thesis is divided into three parts; background, inspiration and application. The background examines four factors which we consider important for the occurrence of inner city baths; water, the history of bathing, inner city recreation and social life in public places. A discussion of the (future) importance of inner city baths and beach like places' is then presented. The inspirational part is divided into examples of existing places and examples of types of places. The first is used in an attempt to examine the function and importance of inner city baths and beach like places as well as the opportunities and challenges associated with them. The latter contains a presentation of six categories developed by us to facilitate the planning of inner city baths and beach like places. These are further explained with the help of principle sketches. To make a concrete proposal of the design and placement of an inner city bath and beach like place, we have conducted a case study in Gothenburg as an application. This is mainly based on the obtained knowledge from the background and inspiration. Through inventory and analyses, Ylva Johansson has studied suitable placements of a bath or beach like place in the inner city of Gothenburg. Jenny Thyberger has then compiled a proposal for the design for one of these places. The goal of this thesis is to convey the potentials of creating inner city baths and beach like places and to offer inspiring examples for the development of these in Swedish cities. Recently we have noticed a rapid development of these kinds of places around the world and we believe they play a vital role in the creation of good outdoor environments in our inner cities. With this thesis, we hope to inspire the planning and realisation of more places in Swedish inner cities focusing on 'blue recreation' and water as a visual and useable element.