Several construction projects are currently underway in the Södermalm area of Stockholm, including in Högalidsparken, at the Münchenbryggeriet, in northern Högalid, and at Hoving’s ore mine near Danvikstull. The Sweden Democrats are opposed to all of them, and are now seeking support from the opposition, as well as the Green Party, to shut down these projects. Gabriel Kroon, the group leader for the Sweden Democrats, believes that Södermalm has immense cultural and historical significance and that these projects are destroying its character. Kroon opposes densification in the area and suggests that efforts should focus on developing the city where building is currently taking place, such as in Frihamnen and the Slakthus area. Jan Valeskog, the city planning councilor, has criticized the Sweden Democrats’ proposal as absurd, emphasizing that Stockholm must continue to build to meet the city’s housing needs. The Green Party’s representative, Cecilia Obermüller, also opposes the Sweden Democrats’ position and accuses them of spreading fear and discord.
Several construction projects are underway on Södermalm, including in Högalidsparken, at the Münchenbryggeriet, in northern Högalid and at Hoving’s ore mine near Danvikstull. The Sweden Democrats are negative to all of them and now want support from the rest of the opposition, as well as the Green Party, to shut them down.
– Södermalm has incredible cultural and historical value. Now we see how project after project tears down the urban character and condenses the inner city. This must be stopped before we destroy our neighborhood, says group leader Gabriel Kroon.
Gabriel Kroon believes that Södermalm is fully built.
– We do not accept densification there, of course the city must be developed, but first and foremost where it is actually being built today, for example in Frihamnen and the Slakthus area, he says.
Photo: Elin Åberg
The Sweden Democrats are ahead anything negative to the use of untouched land, mountains and natural areas and that it is built in culturally historically valuable environments.
– This applies, for example, at the Münchenbryggeriet, Hoving’s ore farm, and at the Enkehuset in Högalid where they are going to tear down a natural stone wall that marks an era, as well as in the Plankan’s inner yard, the latter is an example of horror and there is no possibility of putting it down now, says Gabriel Crown.
He wants the red-green majority to “think and back off”.
– And we want to get more Söder residents to open their eyes and put pressure on the politicians so that we can preserve more of Södermalm.
City planning councilor Jan Valeskog (S) calls the proposal absurd.
– I find it difficult to take them seriously, the credibility is zero. But I’m not surprised, the Sweden Democrats have said no to 50-60 construction projects across the city since the election, he says.
Housing construction is one big question, believes Valeskog, Stockholm will not be able to recruit the police officers, nurses and teachers needed if the city does not build.
– I have called SD “Stockholm’s gravedigger” when it comes to the city’s development, he says.
Photo: Paul Hansen
Björn Ljung, who sits on the town planning committee for the Liberals, finds it particularly offensive that SD says no to the Judiska hemmet foundation being allowed to build more nursing homes at Hoving’s ore farm.
– They have proposed buildings in Katarinaparken, Gubbängsparken and at Storängsbotten. A total lack of consistency, he says.
The Green Party’s representative on the committee, Cecilia Obermüller, agrees.
– Last term, which they don’t want to know about now, there was a proposal from them to build an entire block in Eriksdalslunden. They spread anxiety and disagreement with populist overtures, she says.
Gabriel Kroon, of the Sweden Democrats group leader in the City Hall, replies that the party no longer wants to build in Eriksdalslunden.
– When I took over as group leader, ahead of the 2022 election, SD Stockholm made a principled decision. We will be the voice of Stockholmers against all densification that takes place at the expense of green areas or cultural-historical urban environments.
Gabriel Kroon finds it “particularly offensive” that Björn Ljung insinuates that he is anti-Semitic.
– Like hundreds of other nearby residents, I want to preserve the historic character of Hoving’s Malmgård, without a careless densification of a new large building, he says.
Seven current densification projects on Södermalm
Hornstull
Along the northern side of Hornsbruksgatan, the city wants to build four residential buildings with a total of approximately 36 homes and a new subway building. On top of the rooftops, an extension of Högalidsparken is planned. Ten responses have been received from referral bodies and interest associations, as well as 13 opinions from private individuals. The views mainly concern the impact on the cultural and natural environment as well as inconveniences for residents.
Photo: Tham & Videgård architects
Nytorget
In Malongenparken by Nytorget, where today there is a dog resting farm, the city of Stockholm is planning a building with around 20 new rental units. Several residents in the area are negative about the proposal, above all because of the impact on the cultural environment.
Bild 1 of 2
Illustration: Olof Eriksson/Belatchew
Bild 2 of 2
Photo: Olof Eriksson/Belatchew
Rosenlund
At Bergsgruvan’s park next to Rosenlundsgatan on Södermalm, plans are being made for an apartment building with rental units, a bicycle garage for commuters and premises. According to the city, the development must relate well to Bergsgruvans park’s green values, playground, ball field and pedestrian and bicycle paths in terms of functions, flows and shading.
Illustration: Belatchew Architects
Högalid
In northern Högalid on Södermalm, around 250 new homes for the elderly are planned along Högalidsgatan, Heleneborgsgatan and Varvsgatan. Views received during the planning process have mainly been about cultural values, use of natural stone walls, environment and health, building heights, impaired views and loss of parking spaces.
Illustration: Koncept TM
Hornsgatan
At Hornsgatan, the controversial expansion is underway in the Plankan quarter – with additional floors on the roofs and a round house in the courtyard. It has become a very long story. As early as 2003, work on the building plans began, and ever since then the project has been characterized by appeals and protests.
Bild 1 of 2
Photo: Swedish Housing
Bild 2 of 2
Illustration: Swedish Housing
Danvikstull
Hoving’s ore farm near Danvikstull is blue-classed by the City Museum. Blue is the highest class and includes buildings of particularly high cultural-historical value. The owner of the land, Einar Mattson, wants to develop the property with new buildings in the form of care and security housing.
Photo: Lars Epstein
Munich Brewery
In and around the Münchenbryggeriet at Söder Mälarstrand, there are plans for new premises and around 150 homes distributed over several different building blocks. The Münchenbryggeriet is an example of late 19th-century factory construction in Sweden and is one of the best-preserved industrial environments that reflects Stockholm’s importance as an industrial city since the 17th century. The group “Byggstopp München” wants to stop the plans.
Photo: Johan Jeppsson/TT