S in Gothenburg: "The city is getting uglier with every new house"

In recent years, the Social Democrats in Gothenburg have shifted into high gear in the debate about the city's architecture.

It is time to listen to the residents, the party thinks.

- People have gotten used to the town getting a little uglier with each new house that comes.

It is not good, says Johannes Hulter (S), municipal councilor with responsibility for housing and urban development.

Drawn own proposal

A few years ago, the architectural sketches were presented for a new art faculty at Götaplatsen in Gothenburg.

Several political parties kicked back when they got to see the modernist building, GP reported.

SD said that "a four-year-old playing with Minecraft would have done something better".

S called the house a "quite square box" and wanted the facade to be redrawn.

The Social Democrats chose to come up with their own proposal for how the house should look: with high arches and windows in a traditional cut.

- It was an alternative to show that it is possible to think outside the box.

There were arches and things that fit better in this place, says Johannes Hulter.

S's own "architectural rebellion" received criticism, including from Gothenburg's city architect.

- This is some kind of totalitarian spinal reflex, said city architect Björn Siesjö to GP.

"Relied too much on the expertise"

Despite the criticism – in the end, the architectural firm's building was voted through in the council.

But the Social Democrats, who govern the city together with MP and V, are determined to continue the fight for a more classic cityscape.

- We know what people like.

It is very clear in surveys and when you look at queue times and prices, says Johannes Hulter.

Is it right for the politicians to put themselves above the architects?

- Yes I think so.

We live in a democracy where the people's representatives have the final say.

Perhaps the respect for the architectural profession and construction companies has been too great in the past, thinks Johannes Hulter.

- They wanted to trust the expertise.

Sometimes you have probably trusted too much and listened too little to what the people think.

In the clip: The municipal council shows its dream houses: This is what the Gothenburg of the future should look like.