Design of shared spaces: How can design create and uncover opportunities for new forms of citizen involvement and engagement in local development?

Abstract

The theme of the thesis stems from my personal interest in understanding community development and social infrastructure through, for me, new design-oriented approaches. The purpose of the thesis is to explore how design can uncover opportunities and connections in complex societal tasks related to social sustainability and the creation of meeting places, using Romsås Kulturhus as a case study. The thesis position operates from the municipality’s role as a community developer through neighborhood development and their work in, among other things, reducing social inequalities and building good neighborhoods. The study examines collaboration between residents and the municipality and maps activities, feedback, and usage possibilities of the site from a design perspective. Understanding the Romsås center area, of which the Kulturhuset is a part, is crucial to grasp the context and the collective effort towards making the entire area a safe, more active, and attractive place. Questions I have encountered range from the objectives of a neighborhood house to operational models and how to build belonging and ownership. In collecting new data, the focus is on other social infrastructures, physical design, and conversations to explore the area and its relationship to the Kulturhuset. The literature used to examine the case includes place theory, social capital, and concepts such as ”third spaces.” These concepts and theories are often used to understand how social relationships and communities shape societies and individual well-being. The data foundation is based on secondary data such as site analyses and reports to stay updated on ongoing work and what has been done. Gigamapping is used as a tool to gather material and find new connections. In continuous discussions with project owners and a working group, I conduct various spatial analyses and concept mapping, which form the basis for concept development. The design delivery presents a concept that does not belong in the future but here and now, with the task of bringing together the Romsås Kulturhus project and creating an arena for communication, information, and user involvement before the opening of the site.