99 years of the housing question in Sweden

This book presents the history of modern architecture in Swedish housing. It is essential reading, especially at a time when a lack of accommodation is having such a brutal impact on Swedish society. However, this has not always been the case. Decisive public policies implemented during the 20th century led to an exemplary democratisation process of housing, unparalleled in terms of equality and inclusiveness.

The first part of the book presents an overview of housing responses in Sweden. It dissects the housing question, describing it as a multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be addressed without considering social, political and economic circumstances. The second part compiles texts and materials from the exhibition Bo. Nu. Då: Bostadsfrågor och svar under 99 år (Housing. Now. Then: 99 Years of Housing Issues and Responses) held at ArkDes in 2016 and curated by Dan Hallemar. Based on the rich ArkDes collections, the book features examples of architectural solutions to the housing question from 1917 to the present.

99 Years of the Housing Question in Sweden brings together different perspectives, contributions, accounts and critiques from specialists and citizens alike, each illustrating in its own way how modern Swedish housing and society have developed and evolved hand in hand. The result is an important but relatively unknown discourse on the role of housing in the construction of the welfare state which offers vital lessons for today’s world.