From Social Media To Civic Engagement: The Role Of The Grassroots Movement 'Architectural Uprising' (Arkitekturupproret)

This study examines the discourse and critiques of the grassroots movement Architectural Uprising (Arkitekturupproret) through its Facebook subgroup, 'Stop Ugly New Buildings in Our Cities – Architecture Shaming!' and explores how digital activism can contribute to the democratization of architecture in urban environments. The research employed a two-step analysis: first, a general evaluation of the group; followed by a directed qualitative content analysis of 26 posts, each with over 60 comments. The comments were categorized into three predefined groups of criticism—visual, functional, and sentimental—with subcategories derived from the data. The findings reveal that the group’s criticisms are predominantly visual, with a strong emphasis on contextual fit and visual design. Sentimental critiques, often characterized by emotional and sarcastic tones, also hold a significant place, while functional concerns are comparatively less prominent. The analysis highlights a layperson-dominated discourse in which non-traditional designs are frequently classified as modernist. Nonetheless, the group fosters an open space for diverse perspectives and demonstrates constructive dialogue even with opposing views. This study underscores how grassroots movements can influence architectural critique and promote civic participation through digital platforms, emphasizing the democratizing potential of social media in architectural discourse.