Navigating Gentrification and Governance: The Case of Ngbg Cultural Community Space in Malmö

This paper examines the transformation of the NGBG community space in Malmö, Sweden, originally founded as a grassroots music festival eight years ago. Over time, NGBG has evolved into an inclusive cultural hub that fosters creativity and civic engagement, while continuing to host its annual festival. However, the SofieLund neighborhood where NGBG is located is undergoing rapid gentrification, with the city recently designating the area as a sound-free zone and unveiling a master urban plan for 2040, which includes an increase in commercial spaces.

This research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews with community members, city officials, and private stakeholders, and document analysis of local policy papers to understand how governance, music, and urban development intersect. By exploring the role of music and creativity in fostering community and civic engagement, the study investigates how NGBG navigates the pressures of gentrification and marketization. Key questions include: How does NGBG balance its role as a cultural space for music and creativity amid increasing commercialization? What do new governance models mean for the inclusivity and accessibility of NGBG as a public space?

By framing NGBG within larger debates on culture-led urban regeneration, gentrification, and governance, this paper offers insights into how creative communities adapt to urban transformation. It contributes to discussions on the future of cultural spaces in cities where the intersection of music, creativity, and urban policy shapes the dynamics of public life.