Heritage-making in Changing Environments: The Use of Archaeology in the West Link Infrastructure Project, Gothenburg

• Major urban infrastructure projects in old cities often encounter archaeological remains during planning or execution, presenting several challenges for local heritage management. Using the case of the West Link project in Gothenburg, Sweden, this paper analyses the extent to which heritage-making as an approach was mobilised in using the material finds in the new urban development. Rather than viewing heritage conservation and city planning as conflictual, the paper sets out from the premise that heritage-making in situations of large-scale urban transformation can take different forms, and create new development directions. In the literature, these directions have variously been called compensation for cultural heritage damage (Grahn-Danielson, Rönn, & Swedberg, 2013, August), heritage as a vector in spatial planning (Janssen, Luiten, Renes, & Stegmeijer, 2017), the heritage paradigm (Ashworth, 2011), and more. The paper analyses the ways in which these approaches reflect in one specific case. The West Link is a railway line extension, currently under construction in Gothenburg. It burrows through the city’s 17th century fortifications, ancient agricultural properties, and historical parks – all of which are designated as ‘national interests’. Since the project is deemed to be a threat to the cultural heritage and the readability of the city’s architectural history, the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) – responsible for the project – and the City of Gothenburg are in talks on how best to deal with the heritage. This includes the archaeological finds unearthed in the process of digging, such as remnants of the former city wall, pieces of 18th century Chinese porcelain, and even entire boats. The stakeholders’ proposals for using the finds in the new development are informed by their individual ideas about the value of heritage. The STA’s proposals include exhibiting the objects in the newly built stations and distributing them across the inner city as ‘keys’ or ‘clues’ to history. The City, on the other hand, is less focused on the isolated objects, proposing instead larger urban design programmes encouraging reflection on past-present-future, and increased accessibility to hidden sites. Both parties see the finds as an opportunity to varying degrees. Through document analysis and primary data from interviews with representatives of the STA and the City of Gothenburg, this paper analyses their proposals for cultural heritage with a focus on the archaeological finds. It further situates their approaches within the literature on heritage-making. In doing so, the paper addresses the potential of cultural heritage to not only coexist with or be integrated into city planning, but even become a decisive force in shaping future cities in moments of major transformation. This work forms part of a PhD on heritage planning in changing environments resulting from infrastructure projects.

Subject headings

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Design (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Design (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Konst -- Arkitektur (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Arts -- Architecture (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Arkeologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- Archaeology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Historia och arkeologi -- Historia (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- History and Archaeology -- History (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Husbyggnad (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Building Technologies (hsv//eng)

Keyword

heritage

planning

compensation

archaeology

infrastructure

West Link

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)