Once upon a time (1624-1998), the town where I live (Borås) had a Regiment (of the infantry kind). When I moved here to live, about 40 years ago, the regiment was still active; but I'm not sure I ever went to have a closer look at the buildings until after they were "demilitarized". But it's not all that far from where I live now, so over the past 16 years, I've probably been walking that way perhaps at least once every two years or so. Anyway I've watched the area change and grow... Initially, just the old regiment buildings converted to house businesses and apartments instead. Then some modern apartment buildings added in between the old ones. And from there it has continued to develop to a whole new housing district... Today it occurred to me that it had been a while since I last checked it out, so I decided to walk that way again and check out the newest additions. Doing so, I realised that now it really must have been more than just one year since I was there last.
Just approaching the old main regiment buildings from below, they still look pretty much the same. There are even still a couple of cannons standing in front of the main building, to remind of "old times".
The old entrance gates have been kept, too.
But behind the old regiment buildings, there are lot of new buildings now.
Still a bit of a mix between new and old here and there...
But there are whole streets of new tall apartment buildings added!
Who are all the people living here?? And do they like it?? I haven't got a clue!!
Statistics tell me that the town's population has increased by 18.6% since 2000, though - and is now around 114 000. And in another decade, the number is expected to have grown to 140 000 (at least according to Google AI).
On my way home I had to pause at a railway crossing to wait for a train. So did a lot cars (no doubt in a lot more hurry than I was). I did not take any photos of the queues waiting on both sides of the crossing; but they were long... Which made me realised that I also happened to be out in rush hour traffic (around 4 pm) - which is something that I normally have the privilege of being able to avoid, these days.
While waiting, I was also pondering the political changes we've been through since the old regiment was closed in 1998. Back then, Sweden was in a phase of disarmament. Now, we're part of NATO, and in a phase of strengthening our defense again... Not sure if there will ever be a new regiment stationed just here again - but old military training grounds in the area are still being used. (We just recently had a such a weekend when constant shooting cold be heard "in the background" from where I live.)
What tall (dare I say ugly?) apartment buildings! But at least they have lots of balconies, which would make the living more bearable. Love the Dylan song.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, the tall apartment buildings don't appeal to me either - even if I've seen worse! - In general, I don't like it when buildings are so tall and close together. It can only be the top floors that have any views to speak of.
DeleteIn the area where I live, built in the 1940s, the buildings have only three floors, and there are wide lawns in between. From my windows I see the sky, and grass, and trees; and the next buildings are far enough away that one does not look straight into someone else's apartment.
M y favorite thing here is those elaborate entrance gate posts. They are so unusual and striking! I also am glad you snapped the train, it is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteGinny, the old buildings are certainly still more appealing to me than any of the new ones.
DeleteYour reflections capture so well how places evolve with time
ReplyDeleteRo, yes, the whole area as it is now certainly gives a sense of "time marching on"...
ReplyDeleteYou are like me when I am out at rush hour, just amazed at how many people are on the roads now. I really like the old buildings. Would like an apartment in one of those!
ReplyDeleteKay, I'm also privileged in that I'm able to walk most of the way to/from the city centre on footpaths away from busy roads. :)
DeleteDeveloping old military establishments is not easy. They tend to retain their original air of order and hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteYou may have a point there, Janice!! :)
DeleteThe old regiment building has been "sympathetically" developed and looks so much more elegant than the newer high-rises.
ReplyDeleteCarol, the old regiment buildings are from around 1914, and it is my general impression that back around 1900 they took so much more "pride" in details of architecture in both public buildings and even factories (we have quite a lot of old factory buildings preserved too, nowadays reused for other purposes).
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