Malmo – is it really that great?

This year’s course field trip to Copenhagen, to experience and work on a project in Christania has also given us a great opportunity to travel to Sweden to visit Malmo – “An ecological City of Tomorrow” of West Harbour.

175 hectares of artificial island has been developed to provide new eco – district. The latest sustainable design and planning approach has been implemented.

Like in all other pioneering cites promoting sustainability – environmental, economic and social, the emphasis has been put on latest materials, technologies and change to the way we living by for example by looking at connection between urban spaces and landscaping and so on…

But in spite of those fantastic inventions and very good intentions, does this city really work for its habitants? What is Malmo really like to live in? How much the maintenance of the area really cost? How about the car parking? So far we are still very dependent on this form of transport. How about demographics and ethnic minorities? Is there healthy gender mix and different nationals? Is living in there affordable to everyone? Or is it Malmo’s location a main asset and this model cannot be transferred elsewhere?

Without being pessimistic, much more realistic perhaps, those are just few questions, which are popping in to my mind just before I set off to Malmo.

Nevertheless it is an example of the next step taken to in improving our lives now and in the future. I am certain this is the right way forward….

I am looking forward to find the answers to those and many more rising questions…

By Kamila Bobrzak