(Muslims as Zoo attractions) Concrete jungle: Sweden's suburbs become cool

www.thelocal.se ^ | 02/09/2007 | Christine Demsteader

[WesternCulture]

Likewise interesting hearing about the US. Just like there are differences between American cities, there of course are differences between European ones as well, although general patterns are visible in both cases.

One thing I think would be a bit surprising to an American visitor who haven't seen much of the major European cities is the absence of a skyline. Few European cities display a downtown concentration of skyscrapers. Cities like Copenhagen and Stockholm have more or less banned "real" skyscrapers, while some other European cities have allowed a few.

I guess Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, is the closest thing to an American city in this respect. Warsaw, Poland have some skyscrapers too, but it's not exactly New York or Chicago.

Paris and London have some skyscrapers but they are scattered around.

Here in Scandinavia, I'd say we have ONE(!) skyscraper:

Turning Torso in Malmö.

I like it a lot. It's really unique in the way it actually is a turning, twisting, high rise structure. Furthermore, these construction principles will be used when erecting
"World Trade Center Tower 1"/"Freedom Tower" in NYC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turning_Torso

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_tower

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

You are right about Frankfurt it was the most American city that I saw in Germany. I don't remember a major European City with large number of skyscrapers. Many of the city centers are still historical centers with medieval or Renaissance buildings that call for preservation. I know that many of Germany's cities were bombed extensively by Allied warplanes in WWII, destroying many of the historical buildings. Cologne was virtually destroyed except for its famous cathedral. Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Frankfurt as well. Nuremberg was a beautiful medieval city and much was destroyed, but when rebuilt, the new building were modeled on the original. Same with Augsburg (where I lived), about half the buildings in the city were damaged or destroyed in WWII (There was an ME-109 factory there), but you would not know it today.

I am interested in ancient history and note that whenever a new building, subway or structure is excavated in Rome or Athens, that archaeological ruins or artifacts almost always are discovered. I know the Greeks ran into serious problems trying to build new subways and facilities for the Olympics.

One thing about living in Germany, many more people there live in rented apartments. In the USA about 68% of people live in their own homes, most are single family. I know that space is at a premium, and there is only so much space in Europe.

[torquinus]

Amazing how areas such as Skärholmen and Tensta can become "cool" at least in the minds of stockholmers who probably only read about it Dagens Nyheter. Probably takes some of the edge off the guilt of knowing that the "folks" from those outlying districts have a bit of a hard time getting into the "chic" hangouts downtown. If they even bother.

As an aside I got dropped off in Rinkeby one time to avoid sitting in traffic. Now I've been to the South Bronx, East New York, and around the metro New York area (yes, even Newark) but nothing prepared me for Rinkeby. Bet that isn't much of a "cool" area, especially after dark.

Been here 15 years and the place is falling apart socially, fundamental break down. Check the crime rate and lack of police. But put a "cool" front on it...

[ClaireSolt]

Seems like a waste to me, as many live in much older housing. However, they were trashed and abused from the beginning and became symbols of oppression rather than good will. I guess only high end condos will do for the poor.