Poland 3.5.5
Aug 19

Poland 3.5.5

  • August 19, 2019

As of Government Bill 2017/18:110, the national objective for Swedish cultural policy in the area of architecture, form, and design is that “Architecture, form and design must contribute to a sustainable, equal, and less segregated society with carefully designed living environments, where everyone is given good conditions to influence the development of the common environment. The goal is to be achieved by

  • sustainability and quality are not subject to short-term economic considerations,
  • knowledge of architecture, form and design is developed and disseminated,
  • the public sector acts as an example,
  • aesthetic, artistic and cultural-historical values ​​are utilized and developed,
  • environments are designed to be accessible to all, and
  • cooperation and collaboration is developed, domestically and internationally.”

The policy area includes several government agencies and also affects municipalities in their work with city planning. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning, the Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design (ArkDes), the Swedish Arts Council, and the Swedish National Heritage Board have central roles in this policy area. The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has been charged by the government (N2018 / 02273 / SPN) to coordinate policy, monitor development, increase competence, and guide government agencies, regional councils, and municipalities in the area of architecture and planning.

The Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design (ArkDes) was a government agency and a collecting institution, acting as a knowledge centre in the area of architecture and design, focusing on the intersections between architecture, art, design, landscape and the public space. From January 1st, 2026, the National Public Arts Council (Statens konstråd) and ArkDes are part of the Swedish Museum of Modern Art. As a result of this merger, the enlarged government agency now maintains the Museum of Modern Art, supports architecture and design, and publicly displays artworks. In March the same year, the government published further directives for work in this area (Skr. 2025/26:163).