Jenny Stenberg

Linking social and environmental aspects: a multidimensional evaluation of refurbishment projects

How do environmental and social aspects of the built environment interact? This question is studied in an evaluation of 10 multidimensional regeneration projects, i.e. addressing social and environmental issues, of Swedish housing areas from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The evaluation design was inspired by the case study evaluation method, based on rich empirical material consisting of an environmental matrix, statistical data on the housing areas, interviews with tenants and employees, and a smaller mass media study. For the analysis, the multidimensional evaluation tool main tetra was applied, resulting in the identification of two themes: social exclusion and organisational learning. The evaluation points to the need to really link environmental and social aspects to gain long-lasting effects and to attain a comprehensive picture. The results overshadow optimistic confidence in the notion that holistic “environmental refurbishment projects”, even if to some extent addressing social aspects, will directly contribute to sustainable development.

Dilemmas associated with tenant participation in renovation of housing in marginalized areas may lead to system change

Abstract This article presents the results of an investigation, conducted in Sweden, of how inviting tenants to participate in renovation of large-scale housing in marginalized areas can lead to increased tenant power over renovation. The results show that the “Consultation model for renovation” employed, which was developed by the Union of Tenants, gives more power to tenants than previous models used in Sweden, although certain dilemmas exist that seem to be hard to overcome. The article concludes by discussing the role of “consultation models”. It suggests that it would be very interesting if such models not only aimed to give tenants power over renovation—within the framework housing companies are prepared to offer at the time—but also contributed to challenging practices and played a role in system change.