Challenging Urban Dichotomies and Post-colonial Narratives in the North of Sweden

Abstract

This essay by Ebba Sidh questions traditional urban theories that dichotomize between urban and non-urban, drawing on Brenner and Schmid’s (2015) theoretical framework of planetary urbanization to acknowledge a more process-based perspective on the continuous conflict between territorial development and inherited historical and geographical socio-spatial configurations. Focusing on Kiruna in Sweden, a post-colonial lens is employed to scrutinize the narratives about the Indigenous Sámi people that enable further mineral extraction for global purposes. The findings reveal colonial remains that give priority to global economic forces, underscoring how the development of society is shaped by socio-spatial histories, inequalities and power relations on several scales. By applying a planetary urbanization perspective, the results argue for a more nuanced understanding of Kiruna and Sápmi as part of global streams and influences, challenging the understanding of cities as bounded entities. The essay thus emphasizes the need to reconsider the traditional urban/non-urban dichotomy and to acknowledge the power relations shaping narratives and actions on multiple levels.