The thesis approaches the phenomenon of ethnic residential segregation in Sweden froma critical perspective in which the structures of social, and in particular of racial relationsare central. Firstly, the role of the Swedish state in processes of what is called urban racialization isexplored through an examination of the sequential ideological discourses and housingpolicies valid during the twentieth century, seeking a historical continuity in processes ofresidential segregation as well as in social constructions of the Other Secondly, a cluster analysis is carried out in the medium-sized Swedish city of Uppsala.The analysis indicates that a spatial division of residence along racial lines to some extentis taking place in Uppsala, as can be the case in other Swedish cities, Thirdly, a phenomenological survey is carried out in the suburb of Gottsunda, Uppsala,The interview survey finds no empirical support for the culturally deterministic postulatebased on the otherwise common belief that spatial patterns of ethnic segregation couldhave been generated by immigrants when choosing their allocations in the city, strivingthus the proximity to countrymen. Finally, symbolic mechanisms, such as everyday discourses, the drawing of invisibleboundaries between We and Them and media representations, are explored. These,together with structural ideological and political factors, are constantly interacting in theprocesses of maintenance and reproduction of racialized residential patterns in theSwedish urban structure.

Fire Works is a cultural center that will seem durable, welcoming and useful. The Culture center will serve as an extension of the central fireplace in the building. Something that gives light and life to the city with the activity created by the presence of the citizens. The building remains within the framework of the environment that surrounds it, a million program area with material dominance of concrete, glass and steel. / Fire Works är ett kulturcenter som ska verka tåligt, välkomnande och användbart. Kulturhuset ska fungera som en förlängning av den centrala eldstaden i byggnaden. Något som ger ljus och liv åt staden med den aktivitet som skapas av människans närvaro. Byggnaden håller sig inom ramarna för den miljö som omger den, ett miljonprogramsområde med materiell dominans av betong, glas och stål.

Gottsunda is facing a big change, where a whole new district will arise. This will contribute to a whole lot of new citizens, and more pressure on the infrastructure where a new train will pass that connects the new district and makes it more attractive. Gottsunda City Hall is located parallel with the new square, which makes it a junction for the area. The City Hall has a big focus on the public world, which makes its focus to be as open and available for the citizens and visitors. The main focus inside the building is sport activities and cultural activities, which is a big part in the lives of the citizens in Gottsunda. Expect sport activities and cultural approaches, a big sports field is located beside the City Hall. The sports field is open to everyone, and is allowed for everyone to use. The building has a very characteristic façade that shows how open and welcoming the building is. The heart and the main room in the City Hall is the big open, diagonal atrium that goes through the whole building. Along this diagonal atrium is the façade all in glass, to make it more open and contribute to have a view from inside out, and from outside in. This to make a strong bond between the building and the crowded square. / Gottsunda står inför en stor förändring, där en helt ny stadsdel kommer att skapas. Detta kommer bidra till en mängd nya bostäder, en mängd nya invånare, och en ny tvärbana som kommer gå genom stadsdelen. Gottsunda stadsdelscenter står i relation parallellt med det nytänkta torget, och nya Gottsunda allé, där tvärbanan kommer att gå. Stadsdelscentret står som en knytpunkt för hela den nya stadsdelen. Byggnaden har ett stort fokus på allmänheten, att vara öppet och tillgängligt för Gottsundaborna, och kunna ge dom en plats att vistas på och bruka. Det stora fokuset ligger på sport och aktivitet, vilket är en stor del av det dagliga livet i Gottsunda. Förutom att byggnaden invändigt erbjuder flera kulturella aktiviteter, kreativa och mer fysiska sportaktiviteter, så är en stor sportplan belägen på baksidan. Denna stora sportplan är en förlängning av torget, och är öppet och välkomnande för alla. Hit är alla välkomna, att ta en springrunda eller spela fotboll. Byggnaden har en mycket karaktäristisk fasad, som speglar hur öppen och allmän byggnaden är.Byggnadens hjärta är ett öppet diagonalt atrium, som bidrar till att alla plan ser upp och ned på varandra. Kopplingen mellan torget, sportfältet och byggnaden är också mycket stor då detta öppna atrium är helt inglasat, vilket ger en total insikt in i byggnaden, likaväl som utvändig sikt. Byggnaden ska stå som ett landmärke för Gottsunda, en plats man kan komma för att spendera sin fritid, eller bara ta del av information.

Abstract: This thesis has looked at urban renewal initiatives and what potential consequences these could have on the way an area is experienced and the way people are connected to the area. To accomplish this the concept of authenticity has been used, combined with the concept of place attachment, to create a framework that would allow for a discussion concerning the impact of urban renewal initiatives on a renewed area. The areas of Gottsunda in Uppsala and Sofielund in Malmö were chosen as the focus of the study as they both are experiencing urban renewal initiatives currently and will be in the future as well. To analyze the areas the methods chosen were document analysis of documents relating to each area in combination with interviews with actors working with the initiatives in each area. Using the methods the results showed how Uppsala municipality in Gottsunda broadly favored different physical interventions meant to improve the area whilst in Sofielund the opposite was the case as social interventions were favored by BID Sofielund to improve the area. Overall, the findings showed how a change in both areas’ authenticity was likely to take place following the often-drastic interventions to the physical and social landscapes of each area. The discussion concerning the changing authenticity of the areas also came to include a broader look at what potential factors might have an impact on whether an area’s authenticity might change over how much time changes are implemented or the scale of the changes. Broadly the findings, whilst not definitively stating how an areas authenticity might change, managed to identify many relevant and interesting trends relating to the consequences of urban renewal initiatives, something that should be well worth keeping in mind when planning future changes into the urban space.