The Social Sustainable Residential Area : A study about the promotion of social sustainability and enhanced attractiveness in a multi-story residential building area in a suburb linked to the “million program”

Purpose: Discover measures that enhances social sustainability based on three chosen positions; social interaction, social integration and architectural identity, whilst increasing the attractiveness of the area. Method: A case study in Tensta, a comparative study based on a previous survey and a self-conducted survey, in forms of a questionnaire, dialogues and interviews with residents of Tensta. Initially, studies about the advantages and disadvantages of the “million-program” and document analysis of previous surveys were made. Findings: The objective of the study was to find measures that enhance the social sustainability of a residential area whilst increasing its attractiveness. By finding out how the residents of the area evaluate the measures already conducted as well as what they personally consider contributing to a pleasant social environment, it is possible to see which direction of development the area is taking. In this way measures that enhance social sustainability which increase the area’s attractiveness. Several point efforts have been made in with a lack of effect. Furthermore, the residents believe that the actual problems cannot simply be “designed out” as they are rooted deeper than that. One of the major problems in Tensta is the low employment and occupation rate, especially among the younger generations. By providing more appropriate facilities/spaces, which encourage a social environment, the risk of residents taking up bad habits, such as crime, is reduced. This would reduce the insecurity, which currently is discouraging people from leaving their house during evenings, and further on allow more activities to take place. Implications: The study shows that smaller measures such as well-maintained environments including plantations and functional lighting, could help enhance the social sustainability by inspiring residents to feel proud and belonging to the area. Furthermore, the study clarifies that clearly defined meeting points is something that is highly valued in terms of promoting an areas’ interaction and integration. Community involvement is also noted to be important in terms of development of social sustainability. Finally, it appears that all social problems cannot be eliminated by construction, but require more social-based actions to be solved. Limitations: The study is conducted in Tensta since it’s undergoing a major lift in conjunction with “Järvalyftet” which started 2007. The results that were obtained from dialogues with Tensta residents are outcomes of its current conditions. The measure that are presented, on the other hand, are not limited to Tensta but may be applied where similar conditions prevail. Keywords: Architectural identity, Järvalyftet, million program, social integration, social interaction, social sustainability, Tensta