FICK HUSEN LEVA? En fallstudie om Faluns kulturmiljö i ljuset av Byggnadsvårdsårets 50-årsjubileum

Abstract

In 1975, the city of Falun was selected as one of three Swedish pilot projects during the European Architectural Heritage Year, with a focus on preserving its historic wooden urban environment. Fifty years later, this bachelor’s thesis examines how the visions and goals from that initiative have influenced Falun’s heritage management over time. Grounded in critical heritage studies and using the concepts of Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD) and heritagisation, the study explores how cultural heritage is defined, valued, and maintained in a contemporary local context. The research is based on a qualitative case study, combining document analysis, site visits, and semi-structured interviews with professionals involved in heritage work in Falun. The findings show that Falun has established a long-term, institutionalized approach to heritage management and is frequently highlighted as a good example in the use of accessible planning tools, clear preservation guidelines, and active efforts to include and engage citizens. There is a notable continuity in the principles introduced in 1975, particularly regarding the integration of heritage into urban planning. At the same time, the study shows that heritage values are not fixed. They are shaped by changing political, economic, and social conditions. Some original priorities have been reformulated, while new values and interpretations have emerged. Tensions between preservation and development are an ongoing challenge, especially in a growing city. This case study illustrates how local heritage work is shaped by both historical frameworks and contemporary changes. It highlights the importance of understanding heritage as a dynamic process, negotiated, selective, and context-dependent. Falun’s experience offers insights into how municipalities can sustain cultural heritage as a living part of community development, while navigating the competing demands of modern urban life.