Felleshus and Paradiset in Vallastaden – care for social sustainability in a new neighbourhood

In recent years, the development of new neighbourhoods in Sweden has included social sustainability as an overarching aim. This research project focuses on Vallastaden (development of which began in 2017 and is still ongoing), host of Sweden’s largest built environment exhibition. The research explores how social sustainability was interpreted during the different phases of the project and how the built environment was constructed in relation to defining social sustainability. The results show that the planning process included a wide variety of stakeholders, and that social sustainability was defined broadly, with some versions being foregrounded and others backgrounded. Notably, some elements for residents, such as the so-called “felleshus” – large greenhouses with communal social spaces – and Paradiset – land designed for permaculture and urban gardening – were brought to the fore. Felleshus and Paradiset have been studied in greater detail: How have these communal spaces been developed over the last two years? Specific attention was paid to socio-material relationships. The empirical material shows various tensions between residents, activities, practices and the built environment. To deepen our understanding of the results, theoretical approaches relating to “matters of care” and ethico-political dimensions of care have guided our analyses. With these approaches, the work performed to achieve what was expected from felleshus is acknowledged, as are the effects of the work and relationship-building involved in felleshus and Paradiset. The conclusion is that social sustainability involves many processes, which might take time and evolve in unexpected directions. Openness to these processes must be taken into account when planning and constructing similar neighbourhoods.