Skarholmen is known as an "A.B.C. town", an acronym derived from the Swedish words for work (arbete), housing (bostader), and central place (centrum). This town concept is a variant in the metrotown concepts of Stockholm originating in the 1950s. Other examples of A.B.C. Towns are Vallingby, Farsta, and Hogdalen. They are major metropolitan sub-centers (high-density suburbs of 25,000 to 30,000 residents) located on the metropolitan transportation network and are surrounded by greenbelt open space.
Skarholmen's center was planned in 1964. Due to topography and serious housing shortages, Skarholmen has many high-rise apartments within walking distance of the center and mass transit stations. On a steep hillside just above the center are tiers of rectangular eight-story apartment houses. Long stairways, escalators, and elevators connect Skarholmen's center to the hill.
This image was taken in 1969 by John Schooley, FAIA, during an Urban America tour. Urban America tours allowed architects and planners to visit New Towns and meet professionals involved in their planning and continued development.
Keywords: Sweden, Stockholm, Skarholmen, Skärholmen, towns, A.B.C. towns, ABC towns, New Town, settlements, residential structures, housing, multiple dwellings. Submitted by John Schooley, FAIA.
