Gårdsten is a suburban large housing estate built in the beginning of the 70s as a part of the “millionprogram” in Sweden.

From the start it was an area with both physical and social problems: the houses were to big and monotonous, the communications were bad both internally and externally, too many poor lived there and too many with social problems; and as a sum there was an everlasting problem with empty flats. Two different municipal housing companies and two co-operative building societies owned the flats, sometimes competing over the tenants. Economically the area was a disaster for the city of Goteborg.

In 1997 a new company, Gårdstensbosäder, was formed to take over all the city’s flats and start anew with new directives including physical changes, new plans, a new centre and a responsibility for the welfare of the residents like employment, health care, social and commercial service etc.

With money from EU ten houses were renovated and changed into “sunhouses”, making them more attractive to new and more stable residents and it also left Gårdsten with a better reputation. This line of renovation has continued but in a smaller scale.

One house with small flats and a lot of problems with drugs was taken down, substituted with terraced houses, in some parts built by the residents. Also a way to get another mix in the area.
The largest house was made more attractive with new flats with balconies etc.

The valley that separates Gårdsten in two was re-planned and made more secure and interesting for the residents.

Today Gårdsten has a centre with a good commercial service. New more stable groups have moved in especially in some parts of the area. The valley is now accessible to the residents. The houses are attractive.

Physical change has been a part of the strategy to change Gårdsten for many years. This included: renovating, rebuilding, new buildings, the building of “sunhouses” etc. Efforts have been made as well to establish different firms in the area, small scale, services etc.

The inhabitants of the area are involved in all stages of the project. For some years there has been an area-group with participation from the housing company, from the local authorities and from the residents. Gårdstensbostäder has a board where the residents are in majority.

Gårdsten is more attractive, the houses are better, there is a better population-mix, at least in some parts, the economy is good, the commercial service is much better.

Gårdsten is a better place to live today, in this scale it was very effective. On the other hand is the situation for the inhabitant much the same with high unemployment etc.

The success is mainly due to the strong actor, Gårdstensbostäder, which took a grip on all the problems in all parts of the area.

Difficulties in the co-operation with the local authorities limited the success. And structural facts made some changes impossible, at least in a short run.

The residents, the housing company (and therefore the city of Gothenburg)

The new company started with a good deal from the municipality. Money from EU (the sunhouses) and from the government were also used.

in the sunhouse-project.

Gårdstensbostäder, the local authorities SDN Gunnared
Stina Fransson, tel. +46 31 332 60 00

//1997

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Housing estate redevelopment