Urban Fabrics, Transport and Identity: A Case Study from Karlskrona, Sweden

Abstract

The theory of urban fabrics outlines how different types of cities are combinations of walking, transit and automobile urban fabrics based on their dominant transport systems. The theory was developed to explain the morphological dimension of modern cities. As automobile urban fabric dominates most modern cities, the theory has been used to identify leverage points for urban sustainability transitions based upon transport modal shifts. But prior to the trains and automobiles, water-based transport modes were common in many coastal settlements, and traces of this transport mode may be observed in the urban morphology at the city’s water interface. This chapter presents a case study from the world heritage listed naval city of Karlskrona in Blekinge, Sweden. It describes Karlskrona’s urban pattern in relation to walking, transit and automobile urban fabrics, as well as introducing elements of a possible new classification waterfront urban fabric that have developed around water-based transport. This research assesses historic maps from Blekinge Museum to show the evolution of the city in relation to these dominant transport modes. Finally, it offers a few suggestions about how the city might capitalise upon its valuable and iconic maritime cultural legacy to re-engage with its past and in the process strengthen its future identity.