Framing circularity in urban redevelopment processes : Industrial heritage reuse in Varvsstaden, Malmö

Sammanfattning

This thesis examines how actors engaged in urban planning and redevelopment frame and enact circular economy (CE) practices in the redevelopment of Varvsstaden, a former shipyard district in Malmö, Sweden. Using a mixed‑methods case‑study design combining document analysis, semi‑structured interviews (17 participants), and site visits, the research tracks five planning phases (visioning 2007–2011, negotiation 2012–2014, pre‑implementation 2015–2017, refinement 2018–2023, realisation 2023–present). Framing theory and Social Practice Theory (SPT) serve as analytical lenses to map frames of circularity (green transition, industrial heritage, material reuse, economics) and the SPT elements of materials, competences, and meanings. Results show the industrial heritage frame dominates communication, while the economic frame dominates developers’ internal thinking. Material reuse emerges later, primarily as a storytelling device rather than a systemic CE strategy. A shift from a form-based to a value‑based planning approach introduced in the visioning phase provides flexibility, yet regulatory, certification, and guarantee constraints limit genuine circular outcomes. The findings reveal persistent tensions between heritage preservation, economic imperatives, and genuine circularity, with a focus on technical solutions over social outcomes. Material reuse is frequently framed as storytelling rather than a substantive climate mitigation strategy, constrained by regulatory uncertainty, certification requirements, and market expectations. The thesis argues that while Varvsstaden showcases effective coordination, its CE outcomes remain limited without stronger policy levers, flexible permitting, and broader cultural shifts toward circular practices.