The Artursson family were one of the first families to move into the new housing units in Tensta, northwestern Stockholm. Their flat has been fully restored to its original late 1960s and 1970s style with period furniture, wallpaper and practical convenience foods in the pantry.
The Million Programme (Miljonprogrammet)
The expansion of Tensta concluded in 1972, following six years of construction. The project created a well-planned urban environment for 16,000 people. The design was heavily shaped by the Million Programme (Miljonprogrammet). This ambitious government initiative aimed to build one million new homes over a single decade.
Urban planning vs. reality
Tensta was built to tackle the severe housing shortages of the 1960s. Planners envisioned it as a compact, close-knit community. However, the actual arrival of residents differed from what officials expected.
Today, Tensta is a multicultural district representing many different values. Despite 40 years of intense public debate surrounding the area, its architectural landscape has remained largely unchanged.
More recently there are plans for several projects in the framework of the “Stockholm’s outer city program”.
The modern suburb ideal
During the 1970s, planners firmly believed that architectural design could improve society. By combining meticulous urban planning with highly functional flats, they created the modern suburb.
