Election Debate: Architecture as a Democratic Act

10 Sep 2026 / 17.00 - 20.00

Talk

Floor 3

How do we build a Malmö that holds together when studies show widening divides and trust being put to the test? One week before the election, the city’s leading politicians meet at Form/Design Center for a cross-party debate. Together with prominent voices in architecture and cultural journalism, we explore the transformative power of urban development – and you’ll have the chance to put your questions directly to the politicians!

Democracy surveys show that divides are widening and that trust in society is being challenged. In this context, urban development and the designed living environment are never neutral issues – they are tools that can either reinforce barriers or help weave society together. Our ambition with the debate is to move beyond political slogans and make room for a genuine conversation about visions for Malmö’s future urban development.

In the midst of the election campaign, politicians will come together to be challenged on how they intend, in practice, to build a more cohesive city and shape and steward dignified living environments for everyone. Take the opportunity to hear how they plan to address Malmö’s challenges – and put your own questions to them ahead of the election.

The debate will be moderated by Victoria Percovich Gutierrez, economist and PhD candidate at Malmö University.

Meet the panel:

Miljöpartiet: Stefana Hoti
Moderaterna: Tony Rahm
Socialdemokraterna: Arwin Sohrabi
Sverigedemokraterna: Anders Olin
Vänsterpartiet: Sara Andersson
Liberalerna: Lars Hellström

(Additional party representatives may be announced)

To add further depth and analysis to the debate, two invited commentators will also contribute, offering perspectives on the issues from both a local and professional point of view:

Julia Svensson, cultural journalist and critic at Sydsvenskan.
Finn Williams, City Architect at the City of Malmö.

The debate takes place in conjunction with the opening of this autumn’s major architecture exhibitions at Form/Design Center: Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Imperfect Assemblies (by Assemble Studio) and Malmö in the Making (the City of Malmö’s own exhibition). The exhibitions provide a unique and highly relevant backdrop to the conversation, welcoming an engaged audience of Malmö residents and industry professionals alike.