This thesis examines the proposed Österskans development in Halmstad, Sweden from the approach of critical urbanism. With a steady increase of population growth for the past decades and despite the income level of the municipality's population being above the national average - the socio-economic segregation in Halmstad is prevalent. The planned development of the Österskans area, a former node of public transport located in the city centre, would see the space refitted to house a large-scale skyscraper complex containing a hotel, an urban market, a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The development and imposed semi-privatisation of the current public place have sparked debate, and a referendum on the matter will take place at the time of the national elections in september of 2022. This study employs the method of critical discourse analysis to investigate how aspects of convivial urbanism embeds the discourse on public space in Halmstad, how the development of public places can be understood through the discourse on shared spatial qualities in the case of Österskans and what implications such qualities could have on segregation. The theoretical framework consists of theory of space and place, critical urban theory on the right to the city, uneven geographical development, the human body as accumulation strategy as well as theory on conviviality. By the examination of 13 texts as qualitatively selected representatives of the discourse, the analysis centered around on how narratives, intertextual relations and structures can be understood. In the analysis, matters of how the narratives on conviviality is positioned, how social sustainability is addressed and avoided, assumptions of who constitutes the public, market value and attractiveness, the portrayal of diversity and inclusion versus the reality of it, the feasibility of achieving togetherness and the potential harmful implications of the development are all discussed. The study concludes that while claims of conviviality clearly do feature, the narratives of the discourse overlooks crucial factors of social sustainability and leaves blind spots of how to tangibly achieve inclusivity - along with the understanding of the inside experience of the consumer being prioritized and that it could negatively impact segregation by imposing an even further further socio-spatial divide.

Imagine a power wheelchair that can step over obstacles, step up on sidewalks and drive on lateral slopes whilst the user is still seated upright. Previously these features were impossible, but thanks to Elumo this is no longer the case. Elumo is a six-wheeled base to be used on electric wheelchairs. The base has been developed by Malin Svensson and Johan Olsson during their bachelor’s thesis at the Innovation Engineering Program at Halmstad University. The project took place between autumn 2021 and spring 2022.   The development of Elumo started with several user studies conducted by the students, where over 70 wheelchair users responded to a survey concerning the everyday life of a person using wheelchairs. These users were later invited to a user workshop where they could list everyday complaints and possible improvements concerning existing power wheelchairs. One of the most common complaints was getting up on sidewalks and driving on uneven terrain.   Both of these problems will be solved with the base Elumo. The technology that makes the stepping-feature and improved suspension possible, is patented by the company EMTW and the students have had a close cooperation with them during the development. Our goal is for “Elumo to become a new product that will focus on the user and will deliver innovative power wheelchairs that provide safety, independence and improve quality of life for people using wheelchairs.”