Public Space Regeneration promoting Inter-ethnic Encounters using ICP: Rosengård and Lindängen, Malmö

Abstract

This thesis follows a case study approach to understand the role of InterCultural Planning (ICP) in public space regeneration in the highly multicultural neighborhoods of Rosengård and Lindängen in Malmö, Sweden. While traditionally urban planning and regeneration have been carried out by planners in Scandinavian countries, recent efforts show a shift towards resident-driven approaches. However, engagement of residents from highly diverse neighborhoods has been a big challenge for many municipalities. ICP provides the framework for bridging the gap between municipalities and residents to make participation inclusive and accessible for all. Rosengård and Lindängen are two neighborhoods that were built as part of the Million house project between 1970 – 60s. These neighborhoods face high socioeconomic inequality, and their built environment is underinvested in comparison to other parts of Malmö city. A common factor between these neighborhoods is the large amounts of green spaces that have the potential to help in development but remain untouched. This thesis suggests ICP as a tool to help in co-creating and giving a new purpose to the public spaces through active resident participation. This will help in strengthening spatial belonging and increasing cross-cultural engagement across Rosengård and Lindängen.