Abstract

Svartlamo(e)n is Norway’s first urban ecological research area, where around 300 children and adults live in what they often refer to as a “village in the city” (Kathrine Standal, 2019, para. 1). The district is well known for its volunteer work, self-built experimental houses, do-it-yourself principle, and what some outsiders may consider to be ‘messy’ but creative environment, and friendly community. However, it also faces some problems such as conflicts with the municipality and the overall maintenance of housing as they area grows and develops further. Svartlamo(e)n is thus a place that houses the village’s qualities in the middle of Norway’s third-largest city, Trondheim; and which has survived for over 20 years as an alternative district.

The purpose of this fieldwork has been to devise a strategy for a design for Svartlamo(e)n that meet the community’s needs using participatory methods of research without infringing on the safety concerns and rights of the municipality. Through this process of data collection, analysis, evaluation, and solution creation we have a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities and characteristics the community possesses. Thus, we came up with two proposals, one based on Svartlamo(e)n and the other based on Mellamon, consisting of physical interventions that could be implemented in order to bring about positive change.