Stockholm Courtyards : A study of form, function and economic relation of courtyards in Ladugårdsgärdet and Norra Djurgårdsstaden area

Courtyard is an architectural element which has a rather paradoxical definition. It is an open space inside and/or surrounded by the buildings. Traditionally, courtyard is an outdoor element inside the enclosed building. In the urban context of European or Western cities, courtyards are part of the perimeter block. Courtyards in an urban context are meant to be space to retreat from the outside and only use among the residents. But the evolution of urban form in the 20th century had changed the form & appearance of courtyards from its originality as well. Stockholm has resembled a similar evolution of courtyards with the rest of Western cities. Therefore this research conducted a study of the relation between courtyards form, activities, and economic (wealth) status in Stockholm. This study focused on the development of the courtyard after the beginning of the 20th century in the North-Eastern part of Stockholm city, Ladugårdsgärdet and Norra Djurgårdsstaden. The site is one of the last largest Stockholm city urban developments between 20th Century up to the present time. The study identified 9 types of courtyards developed in an overlapped time period from the beginning of the 20th Century until the present year. The observation findings showed that size, form & appearance, neighbourhood park, weather, privacy, and regulation affect the use of courtyards. Block development seems to regain influenced of perimeter block approach after the 1970s. The economic relation between residents and courtyards did not reflect any significant pattern due to the complex and varies the financial structure of the housing association (Bostadrättsförening / Brf). The terminology of courtyards’ form remains ambiguous but the field of study in this specific open space between buildings are open up. What is the purpose of the courtyard? Do courtyards essential for housing? How can it contribute different or better to the urban society of Stockholm and in general