Understanding the spatial elements at the tuberculosis sanatoria in Sweden: 1887-1942 : Cartography and spatial interpretation through geography information systems (GIS)

• Main Author: Serrano, Elisa
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för ABM 2021
• Subjects: Sanatoria; Tuberculosis; Spatial Analysis; GIS; Hermeneutics of Space; Social Cartographies; Sanatorios; Análisis Espacial; SIG; Hermeneútica del Espacio; Cartografías sociales; History; Historia
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-448049

This project aspires to understand the tuberculosis sanatoria in Sweden from the perspective of their location in space and the interpretation of the characteristics of their landscapes. The study has sorted the areas of analysis in the following categories: [i] distribution, [ii] altitude, [iii] orientation, [iv] proximity to the sea, [v] proximity to lakes or rivers, [vi] proximity to train stations, [vii] proximity to forests, [viii] proximity to towns or hospitals, [ix] proximity to industries. The spatial analysis will rely on observation and on GIS technology. Two different software have been used, Qgis and ArcGis, but mainly the first due to its disposition as free software and therefore available for all and easily accessible. Thereafter, the results of these analyses have been interpreted in the light of hermeneutical philosophy, seeking the understanding of each of the parts before understanding the whole, and interpreting the spatial results in the light of the information about the anti-tuberculosis movement.                             Tuberculosis sanatoria cannot be interpreted without the support of medical theories existing during tuberculosis crisis' times. Sanatoria spatial interpretation is also executed under the premises of Corner’s essential points across any spatial analysis: [i] the primacy of perception and [ii] the role of tradition. Considering the primacy of perception, some of the buildings and their surroundings have been visited “in situ” or studied through photos and images. This supported the understanding of the spatial elements of the sanatoria. The weight of tradition existing in the sanatoria is strong. The sanatorium’s environment as an element of the treatment for the patient roots in the 19th century and its hygienic theories. This influenced the organic architecture movement that encouraged a return to nature in search of health, fresh air, and well-being during the industrial revolution.                          The results proved that many Swedish sanatoria aimed to find good environmental conditions that supported the fresh-air treatment, in harmony with the medical theories of the times but also in areas where they were more needed for the working force. They were hardly ever isolated or placed on high altitudes. Supplies like water and heating were generally nearby to provide the sanatoria with the necessary resources, while other needs could be covered by the proximity to train stations or towns. Other sanatoria were placed within cities, in search of better facilities and services, but they gave up the benefits attributed to the clean and fresh air in the patients.                                                           This study shows that spatial analysis has achieved a great understanding of Swedish sanatoria from a new perspective never developed in Sweden. It has demonstrated a relationship between the social workforce and health care, and it could have been the start of a strong investment in popular care in Sweden that has not stopped since.