Gunnar Sandin
Lars-Henrik Ståhl
Dept of Architecture, Lund University
Los Angeles Islands
The research initiative “Los Angeles Islands”, LAI, started in 2003 as a collaboration between architects, artists and researchers at the School of Architecture, Lund University, Sweden. The project investigates American architectural influence in the Malmö region of South Scandinavia. In a set of chosen sites within this expansive region, issues related to city planning are approached through a co-reading of architecture and architectural debate in Los Angeles. Despite the obvious differences in size, culture and historical development, there are links, and similarities, to acknowledge.
Like the City of Los Angeles, Malmö hosts a dense and ethnically diverse population and shows an internal East-West problematic of wealth and status. Both cities are located politically and geographically at the “other end” from the capitols and economic centres of their respective nations. On an operational scale, Los Angeles-based planners and architects are invoked in redevelopment schemes around the newly finished Oresund Bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark, including for instance a Frank Gehry-designed hotel and a new theme park partially conceptualised by the Los Angeles-based consultant ERA (Economic Research Associates).
So far, the Los Angeles Islands Research Group has mainly approached urban design as affected
- by land use classification,
- by mode of urban investigation strategy, and
- by secrecy and security policies.
The aim of the project is to present its objectives and results mainly through exhibitions, or through events like bus tour seminars and performance/reading acts.
Download Los Angeles Islands.
