Public space is an important part of the society where temporary urban places such as summer pedestrian streets are taking up more space. The study aims to investigate the internal decision- and planning process of developing summer pedestrian streets and is based on eight case studies in Sweden: Stockholm Municipality, Gothenburg Municipality, Malmö Municipality, Västerås Municipality, Lysekil Municipality, Uppsala Municipality, Trelleborg Municipality and Jönköping Municipality. To investigate this, three methods have been used: interview study, document study and observation study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from each municipality, the document study is based on different municipal decision- and planning documents from each municipality and the observation study was done digitally where materials such as images, photographs and maps were observed. A literature review has been conducted regarding central literature fields: temporary urbanism, social sustainable planning, cities for people and third places. Placemaking theory which focuses on placemaking and its process and Arnstein’s ladder of citizen participation which focuses on citizen participation in decision- and planning processes are combined as a theoretical framework to analyse the results. 

The results show that all studied municipalities have a relatively similar decision- and planning process when it comes to developing summer pedestrian streets, but differences can be seen in, for example, the length of the process, internal/ external cooperation and design. However, the goal is the same: to create a place which includes all people and promotes pedestrians. Some municipalities reckon that the process regarding summer pedestrian streets has evolved and grown over time. Citizens are given some space to participate in the process, mainly in the evaluation phase, but several of the municipalities want citizens to participate more in the process through citizen dialogue. The main conclusions are that the internal decision- and planning process is relatively similar in all studied municipalities. Placemaking takes place in the design of summer pedestrian streets, but not fully as a more co-creative process might be missing. The content of the summer pedestrian streets contributes to social sustainability through greenery, seating, play areas and businesses adjacent. The study contributes to an understanding of the municipalities work regarding summer pedestrian streets, where lessons can be learned from each other and inspire more to take initiative to summer pedestrian streets. Citizens are also given insight into their ability to influence and participate in the decision- and planning process. Further research can include a comparison of more municipalities, studying differences and similarities in the development of summer squares or winter places which are other examples of temporary urban places.

Rapid urbanization and housing shortages in Stockholm have led to the adaptive reuse of non-residential buildings for residential use. While adaptive conversions offer sustainable and cost-effective solutions to housing shortages, there is critical concerns about urban livability—particularly the equitable provision of green spaces, essential for residents' mental well-being. This thesis assesses the accessibility to green spaces in adaptive building conversion projects in Stockholm County, including case studies Kista Square Garden, Lyceum university conversion, and Nacka conversion project, and examines its impact on residents' mental well-being. A mixed-methods approach including GIS spatial analysis, resident surveys, stakeholder interviews, policy document review, and site observations was undertaken. A dual categorization framework was applied to examine types of green spaces (e.g., urban, natural, multifunctional) and accessibility (physical, legal, social, functional) for residents. Research denotes significant discrepancies in green space accessibility across various locations, an aspect influenced by urban typology, planning limitations, and policy implementation. While some projects effectively integrated green spaces, such as by implementing rooftops and courtyards, others faced challenges caused by heritage restrictions or spatial isolation. The study emphasizes the necessity of integrating equitable and inclusive green space planning in adaptive reuse projects to enhance mental well-being. The study concludes with recommendations for incorporating green spaces into housing conversions across diverse urban environments.

There are urgent environmental goals at international, regional, and nationallevels aimed at significantly reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However,a substantial amount of freight, both globally and within Sweden, istransported by road rather than rail, despite rail transport leading to lowerCO2 emissions per tonne-kilometer.

The Swedish Transportation Administration utilizes the Samgods modelto analyze the cost-benefit aspects of infrastructure investments. However,the model lacks the cause and effect relationships necessary to model delaysin railway freight transportation. For instance, capacity utilization, a factorcontributing to train delays, is not accounted for. Consequently, the benefitsof investments in capacity improvements might be overlooked by theSamgods model. If the calculations underestimate the benefits of increasingfreight transportation capacity, railway infrastructure may not receive adequatefunding. This failure to invest adequately might lead to ongoing freightdelays, reduced reliability, and missed opportunities to promote environmentallyfriendly rail transport.

Against this background, this thesis examines the potential correlationalrelationship between railway capacity utilization and freight train delays, withthe goal of applying these insights to macroscopic socioeconomic freight transportmodeling to promote sustainable investment in freight transportation.

A method to investigate the quantitative relationship between capacityutilization and freight train delays was developed. Utilizing data from theSwedish Transportation Administration’s annual railway capacity utilizationreport, alongside calculations of freight delays derived from data provided bythe LUPP system. The data analysis consisted of correlational analyses, regressionmodels, and aggregating delay statistics based on capacity utilization. This was then applied to a case study of three 78-116 km long single-trackrailway segments in the Swedish railway system during 2022.

The findings suggest no significant correlation between rail freight delaysand capacity utilization, and the regression models were not able to predictdelays based on capacity utilization. This may be attributed to challengesin the data used and the size of the case study. The data analysis showedvery low variance in unique capacity utilization values due to using yearlyaverages from one year and not including more railway segments. The thesisconcludes that the method could be refined and expanded with more robustdata and a larger case study to gain deeper insights into this relationship.Further investigation is needed in this research area due to the lack of adefined relationship between capacity utilization and railway freight delays.

2009 a new type of ownership was introduced in the Swedish law system, condominium apartments. Currently, it is only possible to establish condominium apartments in new developments or existing buildings, provided the space has not been used for residential purposes during the last eight years. In condominium properties, clarity of the boundary formation is a key aspect in maintaining an understanding of what is private property and what is collectively owned. A new government bill, proposing a change in the eight-year rule, specifically regarding rental apartments, would allow for conversion from rental apartments to condominium apartments. This has brought light to the question of what kind of requirements that can be applied on the blueprints used to model the boundary formation in cadastral procedures, especially in older buildings where available blueprints might be outdated or incomplete. 

This thesis investigates how cadastral surveyors assess and apply requirements on the blueprints when converting existing buildings to condominium units and what consequences a potential increase in such conversion might have on the requirements for these documents. To address the study´s questions a qualitative method has been used in the form of an interview study with cadastral surveyors from different parts of the country. A literature study has also been conducted where public investigations, government bills, legislation and guidelines from the Swedish mapping, cadastral and land registration authority (Lantmäteriet) have been studied.

The result of the study shows that the blueprint documentation handed to the cadastral surveyors generally have a high standard. This is primarily because of the eight-year rule requiring a change int he use of space, typically leading to reconstruction and production of new and accurate blueprints. However, there are some challenges identified in the current legislation regarding the extent to which cadastral surveyors can impose requirements on the blueprint documentation. Ultimately, it is up to each cadastral surveyor to assess whether the submitted blueprints have sufficient standard to establish clear property boundaries. This can cause a variation between different cadastral procedures, potentially affecting the legal clarity, especially if the proposed bill passes and causes the number of conversions with less reliable documentation to increase. Since this could have long term consequences a possible need formore uniformed requirements is identified.

The following master´s thesis examines the risk-return relationship in European REIT sectors by analyzing the influence of macroeconomic, sector-specific, and financial determinants. It focuses on the Retail, Diversified, Industrial, Office, Residential, and Healthcare sectors across four major European REIT markets: Belgium, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom over the period from 2015 to 2024. This topic presents significant relevance, as the European REIT market is largely unaddressed in academic literature. Furthermore, the past decade has been shaped by various global events that have significantly impacted the REIT market, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine War, and high inflation rates. Hence, this thesis aims to address this gap by contributing to the limited research on how the aggressive fluctuations in the mentioned variables affected REITs across sectors and markets. This is achieved through a quantitative study, using secondary data collected from Yahoo Finance. The analysis in this study consists of descriptive statistics and a regression analysis using a Distributed Lag Model to assess the relationship between REIT returns and the determinants. This study reveals that the Industrial sector demonstrated the strongest performance, while the Diversified sector performed the worst, although it exhibited the lowest level of volatility. This study also reveals that the results of the regression analysis are largely insignificant and should therefore be interpreted with caution. However, both the unemployment rate and the VSTOXX variable exhibit a strong negative relationship with statistically significant results.

Ensuring healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) and preventing mold growth is critical in Icelandic residential buildings, where cold climate, airtight construction, and limited ventilation can compromise occupant well-being and building durability. At the same time, improving energy efficiency is essential, even in a country with mostly renewable energy sources. This study examines how different ventilation configurations, including natural and mechanical ones, will affect five evaluated parameters: energy consumption, IAQ, thermal comfort, mold growth, and cost. This study was conducted through a simulation approach to evaluate five ventilation configurations: No ventilation, natural ventilation, natural ventilation with night ventilation, constant air volume ventilation (CAV), and variable air volume ventilation (VAV) across three apartment types. Two simulation software were used in this study, IDA ICE and WUFI.Results showed that mechanical ventilation consistently ensured good IAQ and mitigated mold risk. The VAV systems had lower energy consumption and operational cost than the CAV system. All ventilation configurations had exhibited similar levels of thermal discomfort based on average PPD values; however, natural ventilation scenarios had more hours during the year within the acceptable thermal comfort range, based on PMV. In contrast, the absence of ventilation resulted in critically poor IAQ, and mold growth would be inevitable. Natural ventilation had varying and inconsistent IAQ and could not eliminate the risk of mold growth. The evaluation of the ventilation configurations showed clear trade-offs. Despite higher costs, mechanical ventilation, notably VAV ventilation, offered the most reliable results across all parameters. Natural ventilation may be an attractive option for its simplicity and affordability, but it’s highly dependent on occupant behavior and favorable outdoor conditions. It may still be viable in certain scenarios, but it cannot guarantee a healthy indoor environment without careful design and occupant engagement. Mechanical ventilation offers consistency, reliability, and a healthy indoor climate, balancing sustainability. 

The construction industry contributes significantly to global environmental pollution and is responsible for a large share of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and raw material extraction. In response to the urgent need for more sustainable practices, this master’s thesis examines the integration of circular economy (CE) principles in residential building renovations, with the example of a Swedish multi-family house from the 1970s. Buildings, constructed during the time of the “Million Homes Programme”, are now reaching the end of their service life and present both challenges and opportunities for sustainable transformation.The study, carried out in collaboration with Skanska Hus Stockholm Syd, combines a comprehensive literature review with a detailed case study of the Edö renovation project in Stockholm, Sweden. The Edö case study project is the conversion of a former nursing home into apartments for senior citizens. It is a pilot initiative by Micasa Fastigheter i Stockholm in collaboration with Skanska Sverige AB for the reuse of materials and the incorporation of CE principles.The study aims to examine the objectives and motivations behind the implementation of CE principles, identify the sustainability benefits of applying CE methods to the renovation of residential buildings from the 1970s, examine the influence of procurement strategies, analyse key barriers and drivers for CE adoption, and evaluate the most effective strategies for integrating CE into renovation practice.The qualitative case study methodology used in this thesis combines a narrative literature review with an empirical study of a renovation project in the South of Stockholm. The literature review outlines the theoretical foundations of CE, including its principles, design strategies and relevance to the construction sector. It highlights the shift from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a closed-loop system that emphasises reuse, recycling and resource efficiency. Key concepts such as design for disassembly (DfD), life cycle analysis (LCA) and the waste hierarchy are explained alongside policy frameworks such as the EU Taxonomy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The review also addresses the specific characteristics and renovation challenges of Swedish residential buildings from the 1970s, including outdated building systems, hazardous materials and poor energy efficiency.The empirical data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews with stakeholders who were involved in different phases of the project Edö. The Gioia methodology was used for data coding and analysis to ensure transparency and traceability from the raw data to the theoretical results. The results were then summarised in a roadmap for future circular renovation projects.The most important results show that the main motivation for implementing CE is environmental protection, in particular waste reduction, reduction of GHG emissions and resource conservation. However, economic and social aspects also play a role. Some of the circular measures used in the case study project that led to cost savings and a reduction in environmental impact are the reuse of insulation and site office materials. Other measures taken were more resource-intensive and required additional planning, storage and coordination. The study highlights the importance of early planning, cooperation between stakeholders and flexible procurement strategies for the implementation of CE.Barriers to circular renovation identified in this study include logistical challenges, complex supply chains, a lack of standardised procedures and strategic integration. Cultural and knowledge-related barriers, such as resistance to change and a lack of awareness, also hinder progress. Conversely, the 

driving factors include strong client commitment, supportive political conditions and incentives, digital tools for inventory and material tracking, as well as growing market interest in sustainable construction. Responsibilities between stakeholders should be clearly defined to ensure a smoother implementation process. Forums where it is possible to exchange ideas and share experiences at a national and international level were also identified as enablers.The thesis concludes that circular renovation through systemic changes has significant potential for environmental, economic and social benefits. A roadmap developed from the results of the case study outlines practical steps for future projects, including early goal setting, comprehensive reuse inventories, sustainable and circular procurement, and continuous feedback loops. The roadmap also emphasises the need for regulatory flexibility, education and industry-wide knowledge sharing to establish circular practices on a larger scale. While some methods identified in the literature – such as DfD and CE indicators – were insufficiently used in practice, the case study demonstrated the need for structured planning and the value of collaboration between stakeholders.This thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on circular construction by providing empirical insights into the implementation of CE in the renovation context. It provides feasible recommendations for contractors, building owners, policy makers and researchers seeking to advance the circular economy in the built environment. Future research should focus on quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of reuse practices in terms of reducing environmental impacts, developing CE metrics and indicators, and finding ways to better integrate CE principles into design, especially in renovation projects.

Circular economy (CE) is viewed as a promising pathway to achieving sustainability. The shift from a linear to a circular system is gaining traction among scholars, policymakers, and companies. Many consider the adoption of business practices that align with circular principles as essential for this transition. Despite the significant role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the overall economy, there is limited research on their engagement in the CE. This thesis addresses this gap by examining the drivers/enablers and barriers influencing the implementation of CE strategies within SMEs. A conceptual framework is built based on existing literature as well as the 9R framework and innovation process models. Through a multiple case study of nine SMEs, 17 distinct factors are identified. These are grouped into five subject categories and span the entire CE implementation process – from idea generation to full-scale implementation. Among the key drivers/enablers are financial viability and firm commitment. In terms of barriers, technical challenges are the most common. These challenges stem more from concerns about practical feasibility rather than the adoption of new technologies. Notably, many factors – such as circular material potential, market demand or firm commitment – can simultaneously act as both drivers/enablers and barriers within the same case, reflecting the complex nature of CE adoption. The thesis concludes by emphasizing the need for a nuanced and context-specific understanding of CE drivers/enablers and barriers, highlighting the dynamic interplay between positive and negative influences.

The construction industry faces growing pressure to improve efficiency, reduceenvironmental impact and adapt to modern building demands. One approachthat can contribute to increased productivity is prefabrication, particularly ofmechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) racks. However, the use of prefabricatedMEP racks in Swedish office buildings remains limited and underexplored.The aim of this master’s thesis is to help close this knowledge gap by examiningthe technical feasibility and economic impact of prefabricated MEPracks through a case study of the Tegelbruket office building project in Stockholm.The study also identifies key strategies to consider when opting for prefabrication.The methodology combines qualitative data from experts in thefield, analysis of project documentation, cost comparisons between conventionaland prefabricated installation methods, and a Monte Carlo risk analysis.The findings show that prefabricated MEP racks are technically feasiblefor the Tegelbruket project. A suitable model containing the required pipingand systems was identified. Despite transportation limitations associated withStockholm’s BK2 classification, the prefabricated racks can be delivered to anearby storage facility and subsequently transported, assembled and installedon the construction site.The analysis also reveals that initial costs for prefabrication may be higherthan for conventional methods. However, the results are highly sensitive tocertain cost components, particularly weather protection. At the same time,benefits such as time savings and earlier revenue generation can outweigh thehigher upfront cost, making prefabrication a strong alternative in this case.Finally, the study identifies several key strategies for successful implementationand for fully leveraging the benefits of prefabrication: early integration,a well-structured planning schedule and careful consideration of logistics.iii

Decarbonizing the transport sector is essential for meeting national and EU climate targets, particularly in hard-to-abate areas like heavy-duty road transport. This study explores the role of green hydrogen in decarbonizing Heavy Duty Vehicles(HDVs) sector in Sweden and Finland. It identifies key market drivers, barriers, demand projections, and the importance of business model innovation in addressing adoption challenges. Based on 15 semi-structured stakeholder interviews and quantitative demand analysis, the research finds hydrogen unlikely to be a universal HDV solution but strategically valuable for long-haul, high-payload, and high-utilization operations, and its viability depends on access to low-cost green hydrogen (<€10/kg), scaled refuelling infrastructure, and collaborative business models. In Finland, education and training initiatives are critical to closing workforce and information gaps. EU Policy instruments are key to early market development. Still, hydrogen is expected to play a limited role in achieving 2030 climate targets, particularly in Sweden, where biofuels and battery-electric vehicles lead. Projections show hydrogen use in HDVs reaching 1,800 to 36,000 tons annually by 2030, depending on infrastructure growth and policy ambition. The study concludes that hydrogen’s market potential in Nordic HDV transport is real but conditional, dependent on cost, infrastructure, targeted deployment, and alignment within a broader zero-emission strategy.

This study investigates the performance and diversification potential of U.S. REIT sectorsunder macroeconomic monetary tightening between December 2021 and August 2024. Thestudy uses a large dataset of listed U.S. REITs, crafting indexes for each sector based on bothaverage and market cap weighted scales. We use the indexes, plus regression models such asCAPM and the Fama-French Multi Factor Model to gauge the performance of these REITsover the timeframe and then applying the Black-Litterman model for portfolio optimization.Finally, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed on all of the Black-Litterman portfolios,randomly forecasting their performance into the future.

The results provide a good insight into the performances of the sectors, revealing significantheterogeneity under crisis with the REIT sectors. Infrastructure focused REITs, like Telecom,Datacenters and Speciality showed strong risk-adjusted returns, benefitting from stablecashflows, technological trends and essential service characteristics. In contrast, MortgageREITs showed significant underperformance, likely related to high interest-rate sensitivityand reliance on short-term debt, reinforcing claims of previous literature on the matter. Ourfindings also support the previous notion that there is measurable benefit in using weightedinvestment strategies compared to average ones, as total REIT sector returns are very similarover the entire timeframe.

Through the Black-Litterman model, we demonstrate that incorporating REITs into yourportfolio can enhance performance during these turbulent times, especially with activeshorting strategies in sectors like Mortgage and Lodging. Overall, all portfolios includingREITs outperformed the benchmark portfolio, with the exception of Speciality REITs.

Our findings carry important implications for investors seeking resilient income generationduring turbulent times and changing macroeconomic environments. By moving beyondaggregate REIT indexes and adopting sector specific investment strategies, investors canidentify niche sectors and manage interest rate exposure and portfolio diversification. Furtherresearch could extent on this framework by integrating more detailed macroeconomicconditions and forecasts, ESG factors or international REIT markets, thus providing a richerfoundation for global real estate allocations strategies. Ultimately, this study highlights thatREITs are not so homogeneous as at first glance, revealing and guiding investors to changingstrategies in portfolio management. 

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze if competition impacts Swedish real estate agents’ communication of potential sales price at the intake meeting. It also aims to further explore how agency theory can explain this relationship between the agent and the principal. The study aims to answer 4 research questions (1) Do Swedish real estate agents perceive competition to influence how the potential sales price is communicated to the seller? (2) How do agents communicate potential sales price to the seller? (3) How does communication of potential sales price to the seller differ in relation to the level of competition? (4) What other aspects influence the communication of potential sales price to the seller? 

Design/Methodology/Approach – The study adopted a mixed method design and reported on a survey distributed to all Swedish licensed residential real estate agents to explore their perceptions of the impact of competition had at the intake meeting. The survey consists of seven main questions that refer to the perception of both the respondents’ own attitudes, as well as the impact on sellers’ price expectations when communicated by competitors. Additionally, 20 semi-structured interviews were held with active real estate agents in 4 different geographical areas around Stockholm looking to explore in-depth on how potential sales price was communicated to sellers. 

Findings – The empirical results show a clear pattern of agents perceiving competition at the intake meeting to be correlated with higher potential sales prices being communicated to the seller. The results also show that agents adopt different strategies for communicating potential sales price to enhance their competitive edge towards other agents. The results also suggest that agency theory is applicable to the relationship between agent and seller already from their initial contact. 

Practical implications – The study contributes to policymakers understanding that informational asymmetry is leveraged by agents to create a competitive advantage at the intake meeting. It carries few consequences under the current legal framework.

The changing landscape of office leasing driven by economic uncertainty, changing tenant preferences and a transforming market with the rise of hybrid work models has amplified demand for greater lease flexibility. This study examines the financial viability and strategic implications of adopting shorter lease terms in the Swedish commercial office market, focusing particularly on their effects on Net Operating Income (NOI), capitalization rates, risk premiums and property values.Through a simulation-based quantitative methodology, three lease term scenarios - short (one year), medium (three years) and long (five years) - were evaluated using benchmarked financial inputs. Key financial metrics such as NOI, cap rates and vacancy rates were analyzed to assess how varying lease durations influence financial performance and risk exposure for landlords and investors. The findings indicate that shorter lease terms offer adaptability and can command premium rents, however, they also introduce increased income volatility and higher vacancy risks. These risks translate into elevated cap rates and reduced valuations due to the perceived instability of revenue streams. Conversely, longer leases contribute to more predictable revenue streams, lower risk premiums and ultimately higher asset valuations. The study highlights the tradeoff between income flexibility and investment stability, emphasizing the need for real estate owners to align lease structures with border market conditions and investment strategies. It also underscores the relevance of key financial metrics, particularly NOI and cap rate, as drivers of valuation outcomes under different leasing models.

This study concludes that while shorter lease terms introduce greater operational flexibility and the potential for premium pricing, they also significantly elevate financial risk through higher vacancy rates and income volatility. This, in turn, affects key investment metrics such as cap rates and property valuations. Longer leases, on the contrary, provide more predictable revenue streams and lower perceived risk, resulting in more favorable valuation outcomes. A hybrid leasing approach, combining both short- and long-term leases, may offer a balanced path forward. It provides landlords with income security while meeting the market's growing demand for adaptable workspace solutions.

The choice of backend framework can significantly impact the performanceand reliability of cloud-based applications, especially in serverless environmentswhere startup time, resource usage, and scalability become critical. Thisstudy presents a comparative evaluation of three popular Node.js frameworks:Express, Fastify, and NestJS, all deployed on AWS Lambda. Using controlledbenchmarking and performance testing tools such as Artillery and AWSCloudWatch, this study evaluates cold start duration, latency metrics, memoryusage, and response stability across varying traffic loads. The results show thatwhile Express is the most lightweight and consistent under low to moderateload, it degrades rapidly at scale. Fastify demonstrates strong performanceand low overhead, but with occasional instability under stress. NestJS, thoughheavier in terms of cold starts and memory use, offers structured architectureand maintains stable execution patterns in moderate traffic. No single frameworkwas universally optimal, but each demonstrated distinct strengths dependingon workload type and system requirements. This thesis provides deeperinsight into backend framework performance on serverless platforms, whichsupports better decision-making in designing scalable and efficient cloud-nativeapplications. 

The purpose of the study is to examine the use of financial targets in the Swedish real estate sector. Specifically, it aims to determine the most common financial targets, evaluate their achievement and explore the underlying motivations behind them. A potential connection between goal achievement and the market conditions is also evaluated. Previous studies have concluded that the real estate sector is a cyclical business, and companies use targets as a vital strategy. However, there remains a gap in understanding how financial targets are used in the real estate sector in Sweden. To evaluate the gap, the study takes on a mixed methods approach and divides the study into a quantitative and qualitative part. The quantitative method is employed for determining the usage and achievement of financial targets based on the companies that have or have had a listed share on Nasdaq Stockholm Main Market between 2015 and 2024. Annual reports from the 46 companies operating during the time period were collected and the financial targets were categorized into risk limitation targets, growth targets, profitability targets, and dividend targets. The qualitative method was established to provide insights into the underlying motivations and usage in practice. 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key figures within the real estate sector in Sweden, working as either CEO, CFO, or financial director. 

For evaluating and analyzing the result, the study takes on the theoretical frameworks of agency and signaling theory, institutional theory, and stakeholder theory. The study finds that the most reported financial targets in 2024 are risk limitations and dividend targets, and that the average achievement ofall financial targets has declined between 2015 and 2024. The study also finds that goal achievement only correlates slightly with the market conditions but does not find a clear pattern. A crucial aspect of using financial targets for real estate companies is to signal stability and transparency to external stakeholders. Underlying reasons for using financial targets include organizational alignment to create long-term value, promoting a goal-oriented culture to achieve company growth, and setting them toadapt to their stakeholders and regulatory requirements.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, a structured onboarding and training process of operators is essential to ensure regulatory compliance and efficient production. This case study analyzes the operator training process at a Swedish pharmaceutical company, from onboarding to full certification, in order to address the research question: What are the key challenges in operator training within the pharmaceutical industry? The focus lies on identifying factors that contribute to operators not completing their certification within the planned time frame. The study is based on a mixed-methods approach, including a preliminary study with unstructured interviews and observations, a literature review, a survey answered by 53 operators and nine semi-structured interviews with line managers, trainers and a director. The empirical study identified six key challenges: theory overload, standardized training, lack of structure, insufficient support, resistance to digital tools and lack of ownership. The study presents improvement suggestions for each challenge, focusing on increased individualization, improved structure and clearer division of responsibilities.

Problem - Overcrowding has been a long-standing issue in the Swedish housing market. The main reason for overcrowding is typically a housing shortage. This usually concerns the housing supply not meeting the population's housing preferences and ability to pay. Living in overcrowded conditions can have a negative impact on both physical and psychological well-being. In addition to individual consequences, overcrowding also challenges social sustainability by contributing to inequality and reduced quality of life. In Sweden, young and middle-aged adults aged 25 to 45 are the most overcrowded, while older adults aged 65 to 93 are the least overcrowded.

Aim - This study aims to explore and analyse the problem of overcrowding among tenants in rental housing and suggest possible initiatives that could provide solutions. 

Data/Methodology - The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining questionnaire data with semi-structured interviews involving stakeholders in the housing sector. Two questionnaires were administered by Verian. The first was sent to individuals in Sweden living in rental housing aged 65 to 93, and the second was sent to individuals aged 25 to 45. Regression analysis and jitter plots were created with the results from the questionnaires to explain and visualise the results. Furthermore, insights from these results were used as guidance in the three semi-structured interviews conducted with four experts in the rental housing market. The experts were chosen based on their broad knowledge of the issue at stake and to represent private and public rental housing companies, as well as the political sphere. Grander and Sandberg’s application of Esping-Andersen's welfare theory on housing policies served as both guidance and a means to evaluate the effectiveness of universal and selective policies in addressing overcrowding issues.

Results - The results from the questionnaires indicate that overcrowding has a negative impact on the well-being of young to middle-aged adults, while older adults report higher life satisfaction despite living in overcrowded conditions. It can further be concluded that the measurement used to measure overcrowding affects the understanding of the results. 

Contribution - In conclusion, proposed initiatives to solve the issue of overcrowding include a state-funded rent-matching subsidy for older adults, a needs-based queuing system and an increased supply of senior housing. These measures aim to improve residential mobility and better match housing supply with household needs, while also contributing to socially sustainable urban development.

This bachelor's thesis focuses on studying the maintenance of rental apartments in Söderort and its impact on people's sense of well-being and safety. The various district areas in Söderort are characterized by different socio-economic conditions that affect each individual residential area. The maintenance process, which in turn affects the housing standard, has a significant impact on, among other things, human health and the sense of safety and comfort. The thesis aims to explore how maintenance levels relate to social sustainability and the living environment, as well as how tenants and various active stakeholders experience this. The central research questions focus on the factors that influence the maintenance of rental apartments in the different district areas of Söderort. How fault reports are submitted and handled, as well as how these are prioritized and processed according to Swedish legislation. In addition, the study examines how the sense of safety and comfort is affected by the maintenance process and the residential environment. The work is limited to rental apartments in the Söderort area of Stockholm.

The interview responses have been used to study how property owners work with maintenance and housing development while complying with Swedish law, as well as how they work to increase safety in different areas of Söderort. The responses from the survey study were used as a basis to gain insight into the tenants' experience of the maintenance process and safety in the areas, as well as what expectations they have of the property owner. The results show that there are strong correlations between the living environment and the tenants' sense of well-being and safety. More measures are needed to achieve a more inclusive housing development in Söderort; nevertheless, property owners are constantly working to achieve a fair and inclusive housing development.

In summary, the study examines how property owners work with maintenance measures in areas with different socio-economic conditions, as well as how the standard of the property and the living environment affect human health and the sense of safety.

The real estate sector accounts for approximately 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and plays a key role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal requires significant investments, with the financial sector playing a crucial role in directing capital toward sustainable activities. Green and sustainability-linked loans have emerged as important financing tools to support this transition. However, previous research suggests that such loans are often allocated to properties that are already sustainable or to companies with strong environmental performance. This raises questions about whether capital is truly reaching the projects with the greatest climate impact potential. 

The aim of this study is to explore how green and sustainability-linked loans are used to finance the transition of the existing commercial property stock, and how these instruments interact from a systems perspective. The study also examines the opportunities, barriers, and incentives that influence their application, based on insights from both lenders and property owners.  

To achieve this aim, a qualitative research approach was adopted. The study began with a literature review to build a deeper understanding of the topic, followed by semi-structured interviews with five banks and seven commercial real estate companies operating in the Swedish market. The empirical findings were then analyzed using systems theory, information asymmetry, and incentive theory. 

The results show that the primary incentives for using green and sustainability-linked loans are strategic. Factors such as legitimacy, brand positioning, and long-term access to capital carry more weight than direct financial benefits like interest rate discounts. However, the actual contribution of these instruments to the transition remains limited, especially in those parts of the building stock where the need for change is greatest. Green loans are mostly used to finance properties that already meet high sustainability standards, while sustainability-linked loans require robust data capacity and internal structures, which often excludes actors with the greatest need for transformation. Administrative burdens and a lack of flexibility further reduce their attractiveness. To better channel capital towards buildings with the highest climate impact potential, more tailored financial instruments are needed, such as transition loans or sustainability-linked loans with targets aligned with policies like the EPBD. The study underscores the need for adapted loan models and stronger collaboration between capital markets, banks, and real estate owners to ensure that sustainable finance truly supports the transition within the existing building stock.

Capitalization rates are a key metric for investors in Sweden’s multi-family housing. This study aims to identify the factors influencing cap rates over time. This thesis examines Sweden's three largest municipalities: Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg, and analyzes how interest rates, credit availability and local socio-economic fundamentals correlate with historical cap rates. In addition, it explores whether forward funding-transactions influence cap rates. 

A mixed-methods design is implemented. The quantitative analysis is based on data from Newsec, Catella, MSCI Property Intel, Statistiska Centralbyrån (SCB) and the Riksbank. The qualitative component consists of five semi-structured interviews with market professionals. Pearson correlation coefficients are used to assess the relationship between cap rates and macro- and microeconomic variables, while the interviews provide contextual insight into investor behavior. 

Results indicate that capitalization rates differ across municipalities for both new developments and the prime segment, although the yield spread narrows in the case of new developments. Stockholm consistently exhibits lower yields than Gothenburg and Malmö throughout the study period. Stronger socio-economic conditions, measured by higher median income and employment, are associated with lower cap rates, suggesting that investors accept reduced returns in exchange for perceived security. Interviews reveal that forward funding-transactions are mainly undertaken by institutional investors, and their frequency is largely cyclical. Investors expect compensation for the additional risk inherent in forward funding, but price adjustments vary because of project-specific factors. 

Drones are being increasingly adopted across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, construction and upkeep of infrastructure. This creates a growing demand for drone operators capable of controlling these drones autonomously. This thesis aims to integrate the MAVLink protocol into an existing cloud based drone operator developed by Ericsson, Ericsson Drone Mobility (EDM). By creating a prototype, which allows planning, uploading and executing missions using the existing EDM platform. But being able to communicate with drones that use the MAVLink protocol. Two different system architectures were discussed and compared, the choice of architecture came down to simplicity to implement with the preexisting system. Drone flight was simulated to test the system. The result shows that the prototype was successful with the chosen tasks.

Human movement is one of the most complex elements in technical applications, as it is characterized by great variation, subtle details, and different patterns that require careful analysis. This thesis presents a system for classifying human movements based on the established training program “7-minute workout”. The work includes several stages, from data collection, cleaning, and annotation to structuring the information. A central part of the process has been the extraction of geometric features in the form of angles between different joints and body parts.

Two machine learning approaches were evaluated. One was a tabular classification model built using statistical features derived from feature extraction. This model achieved a weighted average accuracy of 99.2% and used a highly compact data representation. It was approximately 250 times smaller than the skeleton data, which resulted in faster training and only 82,000 trainable parameters. The other approach used an adapted pre-trained model for skeletal movement analysis, which achieved 94.9% accuracy but required 1.45 million parameters and significantly more computational resources. The results highlight the effectiveness of lightweight, interpretable models built on well-engineered features, particularly when efficiency is a priority. The system provides a foundation for future applications in real-time feedback or augmented reality environments.

This study explores extracting features from Beach Volleyball video data using Human Pose Estimation models and evaluating the features by training and assessing a Machine Learning model with the aforementioned features. The methodology of the study consists of a literature study, interviews, pre-experiments to help decide on a pipeline and, extracting and evaluating features. The results of the study show that the models trained on the extraced features did not generalise well on unseen data. This could be due to the training dataset being too small for the choice of ML model orthe choice of evaluation method.

This thesis analyzes how cycling is discursively constructed within Swedish transport policy and public discourse, examining why cycling remains marginal in practice despite sustainability ideals. Adopting a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, the research investigates texts from four domains – national transport plans, cycling-specific policy documents, advocacy publications, and grassroots media (Reddit forums) – using corpus linguistic tools (word frequency, keyword, and collocation analyses via AntConc) to identify dominant narratives and frames. The analysis focuses on how language choices frame cycling (what is emphasized or omitted) and the implications of those framings. The findings reveal that official policy discourse depicts cycling in technocratic and instrumental terms – as a beneficial but secondary mode of travel, often framed as a local or individual matter (infrastructure and safety) -largely avoiding conflict or social equity issues. In national planning texts, cycling is a peripheral issue in a car-centered paradigm, indicating and reinforcing its low priority.In contrast, advocacy and expert discourse from non-profit associations and research institutes explicitly challenge this status quo, redefining cycling as a solution to critical challenges such as environmental sustainability and wellness, as well as a right that is currently under-supported, thereby highlighting what the official narrative leaves unsaid. At the same time, grassroots civil society discourse on Reddit offers an on-the-ground perspective: cycling is full of personal experiences, emotions, sharp humor and frustration, vividly depicting a picture of everyday struggles that formal policy texts ignore. Within these areas, the study found different narratives: the state’s cautious, systemsoriented vision, advocates’ calls for change, and citizens’ real-life responses to cycling. Notably, aspects of social justice, cultural norms, and the everyday pleasures and frustrations of cycling are underrepresented in national policy discourse-a discursive gap that may hinder efforts to elevate cycling. The thesis concludes that shifting transport narratives to integrate these different storylines (sustainability, equity and lived experience) is key to legitimizing cycling as a mainstream mode of transport. By illuminating the power of discourse in influencing transport policy, this work contributes to mobility policy studies and offers insight into bridging the gap between policy rhetoric and practice for sustainable and inclusive transportation.

Restaurants represent an important part of the commercial property landscape in urban centers. This study examines the landlord-tenant relationship between property owners and restaurant operators from an integrated perspective that combines legal, economic, and practical aspects. Particular focus is placed on the unique characteristics that distinguish restaurant businesses from other types of tenants competing for similar premises, as well as the factors influencing property owners’ decisions to lease space to restaurants.

The study is based on a qualitative multiple case study, including five interviews with representatives from major real estate companies and the industry organization Visita. The interviews are supplemented with statistical data on rental levels and bankruptcy trends in the restaurant sector, along with a legal analysis of relevant aspects of tenancy law and hygiene regulations for food establishments.

The findings indicate that the restaurant sector differs significantly from other commercial operations. Restaurant premises often require substantial technical adaptations and investments, which affect the structure of lease agreements, the division of responsibilities, and the landlord’s exposure to risk. Property management is more complex, involving specific requirements for ventilation, grease separators, and regulatory compliance. Lease agreements for restaurants therefore tend to include more detailed demarcation lists and specific clauses addressing issues such as disturbances and operational responsibilities.

Despite these challenges, restaurants are also perceived as attractive tenants. They contribute to enhancing the appeal of a property or neighbourhood, especially as traditional retail declines. Restaurant operations generate street-level activity and create synergies with surrounding businesses. Their social value—through increased safety, urban vibrancy, and the activation of public spaces—is also highlighted as a reason why landlords actively seek restaurant tenants.

Another key conclusion is that the choice of tenant plays a critical role in managing risks such as bankruptcy, disturbances, and business transfers. Property owners often conduct thorough background checks and require financial guarantees to ensure long-term tenancies. While environmental certifications and energy ratings have some influence, they are currently not decisive factors in leasing decisions for restaurant premises.

In summary, this study contributes new knowledge about restaurants as commercial tenants and the key factors shaping landlord-tenant relationships. 

This thesis investigates the strategic considerations behind Swedish institutional investors’ choice between direct and indirect real estate ownership. Through a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews with professionals from major pension funds and insurance companies, The study aims to identify the arguments in favor of direct property ownership among long-term institutional investors, despite its operational complexity and resource intensity. 

The findings reveal that the key motivations for choosing direct ownership include increased control over investment strategy, ESG integration, governance, and cost efficiency. Direct ownership, typically executed via wholly or jointly owned real estate companies, enables investors to align real estate management with their broader institutional goals while avoiding common agency issues associated with fund structures. Indirect ownership, in contrast, is mainly used for diversification, international exposure, or access to niche segments when internal capacity is limited. 

The study concludes that institutional investors’ preferences are shaped by a combination of factors such as portfolio size, internal organization, capital flows, and strategic priorities. Although direct ownership is often preferred among larger institutions, indirect structures remain an important tool for achieving exposure where direct engagement is impractical. The research contributes to the understanding of capital allocation decisions in institutional real estate portfolios, highlighting how the choice of ownership form reflects broader organizational, financial, and governance considerations.

Sweden’s housing market consists of several different forms of tenure, with tenant-ownership (bostadsrätt) being the most common in multi-family buildings. Tenant-owner associations play a central role in property management and are responsible for both operations and long-term financial planning. In a changing global environment—characterized by rising interest rates and energy costs—many tenant-owner associations have been forced to increase their monthly fees in order to ensure financial stability. This creates a challenge: balancing the association’s financial needs with the members’ ability to pay.

The purpose of this study is to examine how tenant-owner associations can manage fee increases in a way that maintains long-term financial sustainability without overburdening their members. The work is based on literature reviews, surveys, and interviews with both experts and representatives from tenant-owner associations. The focus is on identifying the underlying factors behind fee increases and highlighting effective strategies.

The survey aimed to examine the financial situation of tenant-owner associations, current fee levels, and views on future fee increases. It was sent to board members and consisted of ten multiple-choice questions. To deepen the understanding of fee increases in tenant-owner associations, several interviews were conducted with key individuals in the housing sector. These interviews targeted both experts and board representatives, with the aim of capturing perspectives and experiences not revealed in surveys or literature.

The results of the study show that fee increases are common and that typical reasons include rising interest expenses, increasing operating costs, and major maintenance projects.

The conclusion is that fee increases in tenant-owner associations are primarily due to rising costs and a lack of long-term planning. Annual fee adjustments, combined with clear communication to members, are key to maintaining financial stability.

Disclaimer clauses in real estate purchase constitute an important tool for allocating responsibility between the buyer and the seller regarding defects in the property. Since purchasing real estate is often one of the largest financial transactions an individual will undertake, it is important to understand the conditions regarding the legality of a disclaimer clause. The seller is liable för defects that the buyer could not reasonably have discovered at the time of the purchase. However, the parties may, through clearly worded disclaimer clauses, agree to waive this liability.

For a disclaimer to be valid, it must be clearly phrased and comprehensible even to someone without specific legal knowledge. General phrases such as “sold as is”  are typically insufficient to release the seller from liability.  A disclaimer also loses its effect if the seller was aware of the defect in the property, made a promise contradicting the disclaimer, or acted in bad faith. 

According to case law from the Supreme Court of Sweden (HD), the validity of disclaimer clauses must be assessed with regard to both the content of the agreement and the circumstances of the purchase. Factors such as the parties’ roles, the nature of the defect, how the clause was negotiated, and the conduct of both seller and buyer play a decisive role in the overall assessment made by the Court. This analysis underscores the importance of carefully drafting disclaimer clauses in order to achieve the intended legal effect. 

This thesis examines the potential impact that workplaces in the city centre of Reykjavík can have on the commuting behaviour of their employees by promoting sustainable transportation. This issue is particularly relevant as Reykjavík seeks to reduce car dependency and encourage sustainable travel as part of its urban sustainability goals. 

The thesis asks explicitly to what extent and in what ways city centre workplaces can influence their employees’ commuting choices towards more sustainable modes of travel and what factors facilitate or hinder such shifts. To investigate this question, a case study of two city-centre workplaces in Reykjavík was conducted, combining in-depth interviews and questionnaires to gather qualitative and quantitative data on commuting patterns and attitudes. This approach provided detailed insights into organisational practices and employee perspectives on commuting. 

The analysis is guided by Boltanski and Thévenot's orders of worth framework, which provides a conceptual lens to understand how different value-based justifications shape commuting decisions. The findings identify several workplace-level incentives promising to encourage employees to commute more sustainably, including transportation grants tied to sustainable commuting commitments, trial programs for electric bicycles, and improved facilities such as bicycle storage, showers, and locker rooms. These measures demonstrate the influence internal workplace initiatives can have on commuting habits. However, structural and cultural barriers beyond the workplace level also play an important role in shaping commuting behaviour, often limiting the impact of workplace initiatives.

Overall, the research demonstrates that workplaces have significant potential to foster more sustainable commuting patterns among employees. It also highlights that beyond workplace strategies and incentives, transport policy measures and urban planning interventions are essential for addressing systemic barriers beyond the scope of individual workplaces and achieving broader shifts in urban mobility. These findings underscore the need for coordinated efforts between employers and public authorities to effectively shift commuting behaviour towards sustainable modes of transport.

This thesis investigates whether machine learning can be used to predict vibration magnitude in the turbine guide bearing of a hydroelectric generating unit. The study, conducted in collaboration with Landsvirkjun, Iceland’s national power company, utilizes two years of operational data from the Búðarháls hydropower plant. A shallow feedforward artificial neural network is developed and trained using operational input features. Data preprocessing includes filtering for steady state conditions, normalization, and feature engineering. Model performance is evaluated using standard regression metrics (MSE, RMSE, MAE, and R 2 ). The results indicate that the ANN can predict vibration magnitudes with high accuracy, achieving R 2 value of 0.803 on the test set. The findings demonstrate the viability of integrating data driven models into existing condition monitoring systems, supporting the transition toward predictive maintenance and digital twin implementation in hydropower systems.

As drones become increasingly common in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and public safety, integrating them into shared airspace has become a pressing challenge. U-space, defined by EU regulation, is a framework of digital services which aims to safely manage drone traffic in low-altitude airspace. This thesis explores the integration of U-space services into an existing drone operator, Ericsson Drone Mobility (EDM), focusing on a prototype that enables communication with a U-space Service Provider. Testing showed the system could authorize routes, adapt to airspace changes, and recover from disruptions. However, mission flexibility was limited due to incompatibilities between EDM and U-space, particularly in mission formats. The work concludes that U-space integration is feasible but requires tradeoffs in flexibility and system complexity, with standardized protocols recommended for broader adoption.

Air entrainment during pump operation, also known as snoring, can lead to reduced performance, increased wear, and unnecessary energy consumption. Being able to detect snoring reliably and in a generalizable way is therefore of great practical importance to the pump industry.

This thesis project was carried out at a company in the pump industry with the aim of developing a dynamic and sensorless software solution for detecting snoring. The background to the project is that existing software requires extensive configuration to be adapted to each individual pump model.

The proposed solution consists of an algorithm that initially raises a suspicion of snoring by identifying irregularities in signal behavior. It then applies the affinity laws to determine whether air entrainment is actually occurring.

The project resulted in a functional algorithm that, in simulations, demonstrated the ability to detect snoring. The results indicate strong potential for further development, and in future hardware implementation, the solution could likely improve current pump control systems.

This thesis investigates how Artificial Intelligence is transforming value creation in the manufacturing sector by systematically reviewing and synthesizing existing academic literature. Recognizing the increasing role of AI in shaping operational, strategic, and sustainable outcomes, the study analyzes 318 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2000 and 2024. The research combines thematic analysis with a tag-based coding approach to identify key conceptual trends and gaps. The analysis reveals six major thematic clusters through which AI contributes to business model innovation: Customer Engagement, Operations Innovation, Predictive Maintenance, Productivity Enhancement, Supply Chain Transformation, and Sustainability & Green Manufacturing. These themes highlight AI's role not only in optimizing internal processes and decision-making but also in enabling new service-based offerings, personalized customer Industriell ekonomi och organisation Industrial economics and management 7 experiences, and data-driven sustainability initiatives. The findings underscore a shift in manufacturing firms from traditional production-centric models toward integrated, flexible, and outcome-based value propositions. Furthermore, the thesis identifies significant barriers and ethical concerns associated with AI integration, such as workforce displacement, algorithmic bias, and data governance, especially for SMEs and firms in emerging economies. It also highlights research gaps in long-term strategic impacts, cross-functional AI applications, and regional adoption disparities. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive conceptualization of AI’s value-creation mechanisms in manufacturing and proposes a future research agenda to guide both academic inquiry and practical implementation.

In several parts of Sweden there is a housing shortage, while the municipal detailed planning process is often characterized by long lead times, limited resources, and a lack of predictability. According to the Swedish Planning and Building Act (PBL), only the municipality has the authority to initiate and adopt detailed plans, which in practice means that developers are not formally allowed to submit their own planning proposals. In contrast, Norwegian legislation permits developers and other private stakeholders to submit complete plan proposals, which the municipality is then obliged to review.

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate whether and how a similar right of private initiative could be introduced into the Swedish planning system. Through a legal comparison between the Swedish and Norwegian systems, examining relevant investigations, legislative recommendations and previous research, as well as interviews conducted the study analyzes the potential advantages and disadvantages of such a system change.

The results show that there are both advantages and disadvantages to implementing this system within Swedish detailed planning. Increasing lead times, combined with limited municipal capacity and extensive requirements for preparatory investigations, constitute clear obstacles to effective planning. At the same time, the Norwegian system shows that a regulated form of private initiative can lead to shorter lead times and greater predictability, without the need to diminish municipal authority. One of the disadvantages found during the study was the political pressure to preserve the municipal planning monopoly while simultaneously considering a possibly increased freedom for developers. This assumes that the municipality, suggestively through the general plan, can determine land use for specific areas. A binding general plan was previously investigated, but it was concluded that the benefits of such an implementation did not outweigh the additional work it would entail.

The study concludes with the conclusions that can be drawn from the results and suggestions for further research relevant to the area of study.

Detailed development planning in Sweden is becoming increasingly complex and is often characterized by long lead times and coordination challenges between various stakeholders. In recent years, several legislative changes have been implemented with the aim of simplifying and streamlining the municipal planning process. But have these reforms yielded the intended effects?

This study investigates how a selection of Swedish municipalities manages the detailed development planning process in practice, and identifies key factors that influence processing times, both positively and negatively. The study is based on qualitative interviews with representatives from seven municipalities of varying sizes. The result reveal that while municipal planning organizations are largely similar in terms of structure, staffing, and competence, there are clear differences in how and to what extent municipalities apply specific tools to increase efficiency.

Identified challenges include the extent and scope of required investigations, as well as the coordination with external stakeholders. Success factors, on the other hand, include the use of external expertise, delegation of decisions from political bodies, and having a continuously updated and well-anchoredcomprehensive plan. 

The study also discusses recent amendments to the Plan- och bygglagen (2010:900) Although these reforms aimed to streamline the planning process, many municipalities report limited or no tangible impact. Some note that their working methods already aligned with the changes, while others argue that the reforms have complicated rather than facilitated planning efforts.

The conclusion highlights actionable strategies that municipalities can implement to improve efficiency. Among all factors, the scope of investigations stands out as the primary bottleneck, consuming the most time. It is therefore crucial that future legislative reforms directly address these core issues in a targeted and effective manner.

Donald Trump has returned to presidency in 2025 and like his last term he has reintroduced extensive tariffs, only this time to a much greater extent. Trump has justified the tariffs on the basis of a protectionist purpose. The tariffs were introduced and aimed at the U.S. closest trading partners: Canada, China and Mexico, but later on were introduced against the rest of the world as well. The trade barriers have created a high degree of uncertainty and unpredictability in the world as well as ruptures in diplomatic relations. 

The study aims to analyze the impacts of the American tariffs 2025 on the financial markets, focusing on the Swedish and Canadian perspective. The study consists of eight semi - structured interviews which will contribute to a better understanding of Swedish and Canadian experts' view of the newly imposed tariffs in 2025s, as well as their immediate and long term effects on the financial sector of each country. 

The results show that tariffs and their effects are very complicated, unpredictable and causes uncertainty in the world. None of the respondents organizations are directly affected by the tariffs, but rather indirectly. This indicates that the trade barrier primarily reflects the broader economy rather than individual sectors.

In this report, the clarity requirement in Chapter 4, Section 32, second paragraph of the Planning and Building Act (2010:900, PBL) is analysed by examining both how the requirement operates in theory and how it is applied in practice. The clarity requirement stipulates that the provisions of a detailed development plan concerning the environment, buildings, or other structures must be stated clearly.

The purpose of the study is to investigate how the clarity requirement is applied in practice and how ambiguities in detailed plans affect various stakeholders, such as municipalities, parties in interest, and developers. The study is based on a combination of legal-scientific and qualitative methods as well as a literature review. It reveals a clear problem with ambiguities in detailed plans, visible both in case law and in the everyday work of those dealing with such plans. In several cases, the Land and Environment Court of Appeal has annulled detailed plans because they lacked sufficient clarity.

Interviews show that ambiguity often leads to uncertainty, delays, and increased costs. At the same time, many respondents point out that excessively detailed plans more frequently give rise to problems and challenges during the implementation phase. Municipal legal expertise is, in some instances, perceived as inadequate, and a recurring challenge is finding the balance between the municipality’s need to steer development and the developer’s need for flexibility. The regulatory framework surrounding the clarity requirement is therefore questioned, and the study shows that its purpose is not always achieved in practice. The conclusion is that unclear detailed plans can have significant consequences for municipal internal processes, the developer’s finances, and individuals’ legal certainty. In practice, however, it appears that overly regulated detailed plans more often cause problems than do plans that are somewhat vague.

The purpose of this study is to examine how ESG certification affects investment behavior and valuation within the office real estate market in Milan. The study addresses three central research questions: How do sustainable buildings influence transaction volumes and investor interest? How can non-certified buildings be adapted to meet current sustainability standards? And how does improved energy efficiency contribute to increased property values?

By combining qualitative methods, through semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, and quantitative analysis of transaction data, the study finds that ESG-certified office buildings generally sell at higher prices and are more attractive, particularly to foreign investors. Certifications such as LEED and BREEAM serve as quality indicators and help reduce investment risks by enhancing energy efficiency and future-proofing assets.

The study also shows that transitioning from so-called “brown” to “green” buildings is both technically and economically challenging, yet increasingly necessary due to rising regulatory demands such as those introduced in the EU’s ESRS E1 standard. At the same time, the findings suggest that upgrading older buildings requires both technical and strategic efforts to meet current demands for energy efficiency and climate performance. Overall, the study indicates that sustainability certification has become a strategic factor in Milan’s office market, with growing importance for both valuation and investment decisions. The results reflect a broader market shift in which environmental performance and energy efficiency play an increasingly central role in determining a building’s attractiveness, suggesting that ESG considerations will be essential for the future of real estate investment.

Being forced to give up one’s property is a significant intrusion into private ownership rights. Chapter 2, Section 15 of the Swedish Constitution (Regeringsformen) provides constitutional protection of property, which includes the right to full compensation in cases of expropriation. According to Chapter 4 of the Expropriation Act (ExL), compensation shall amount to 125 percent of the market value of the property. Despite this, the current compensation provisions have been questioned, particularly in connection with the urban transformations in Kiruna and Malmberget, where thousands of residential properties have been acquired.

The aim of this study is to examine whether the current compensation rules are sufficient to protect property owners' rights in cases of compulsory acquisition of residential properties, or whether there are shortcomings in the legislation. The study is based on a combination of literature review and qualitative research. The literature review is based on relevant legal sources, literature and preparatory works and it serves as the foundation of the literature review, while the qualitative part consists of interviews with key stakeholders to complement the theoretical analysis.

The results show that the compensation system generally provides fair compensation to property owners. However, in larger urban transformations, where a substantial part of the housing stock is affected, the legislation reveals weaknesses. In such cases, property owners risk being left in a worse financial situation and may not be able to afford a comparable replacement home within the same locality.

The conclusion is that the current compensation provisions under Chapter 4 of the Expropriation Act are not always sufficient in practice. There is a need to review the legislation to ensure that compensation accurately reflects the loss suffered by property owners, especially in areas with a limited housing market.

This thesis explores how iteration time in SDL-based game development can be improved through live coding using WebAssembly (WASM). The aim is to create a development environment where code changes can be tested instantly—without restarting the game or losing application state—which is particularly relevant for repeated testing and multiplayer support.

A working prototype was implemented in C and SDL2, dividing the game logic into a persistent main module and a reloadable side module. Only the side module is recompiled and reloaded, enabling real-time updates even during active multiplayer sessions. One notable feature is the ability to start the game directly in different phases such as with the ball already in motion, which simplifies repeated testing of specific states. Networking was achieved via SDL_net and a WebSocket-based proxy, allowing browser-based execution and testing.

To evaluate the solution, both frame-by-frame video measurements and user interviews were conducted. Iteration time is defined here as the time from saving a code change to seeing the result reflected in the running game in the browser. The measurement was performed using a multiplayer game inspired by ping pong, where users could modify elements such as player colors, ball physics, or game rules in real time. The average iteration time was reduced by approximately 85 % from 12,4 to 1.8 seconds when comparing traditional SDL development with the new live coding solution. Users described the system as fast, intuitive, and effective, consistently preferring the live coding workflow and referring to it as clear and empowering. 

This paper was in collaboration with DeLaval International AB, to evaluate the feasibility of an Automated Test Unit (ATU) for an Milk Point Controller (MPC), which consist of capacitive mechanical button as input and responsive LEDs asoutput. The project explored the use of a solenoid as a actuator and the ability of RGB Color Sensors to differentiate colours through various data processing methods. Actuating a manual button with a solenoid proved feasible, however the high power consumption may contribute to the solutions disadvantages. Reading and differentiate colours through an RGB colour sensor showed to be successful by both K-Mean clustering and Sliding Window Maximum (SWM), while the CIE system was not able to be effectively applied on this project. The SWM was selected and tested on the MPC LEDs with great result. For future evaluation of the feasibility of an ATU, it is recommended to further investigate alternative actuators. To support a broader range of colours, focus on ensuring compatibility with the CIE system is advised. Additionally, continued development of the communication system is recommended.

This bachelor thesis presents an evaluation of material interference and signal integrity in a balise embedded within a concrete railway sleeper. The study is based on an investigation that considers material properties and includes interviews with personnel from companies specializing in railway signaling systems and railway related hardware. Through electromagnetic simulations conducted in Ansys HFSS, two scenarios are compared: a reference scenario of a train antenna and a balise without a sleeper, and a second scenario that includes a reinforced concrete sleeper that the balise is encased in. The simulations quantified the effects of the transmission coefficient (S21), resonance frequency and sidelobe to mainlobe characteristics of a modified ERTMS balise at a frequency of 27.095 MHz.

The simulation results show that embedding the balise in a concrete sleeper causes a marginal increase in signal strength (≈ +0.5 dB) and a resonance shift from around 27.1 MHz to 26.75 MHz. During the test of magnetic flux, the magnetic flux at the telepowering loop decreases by around 3.9% at different excitation currents when measured in the scenario with a balise in a sleeper. The change in measurements is something that could be mitigated with physical verification of the antenna circuit of a balise and fine-tuning of the balise tuning capacitances to counteract internal impedances in the concrete, so-called parasitics.

Parasitics in the concrete sleeper affected the balise’s receiving antenna, leading to an increase of the induced current in the balise’s reference loop almost linearly by 25-27 %. This suggests that the cement layer between the balise and the train antenna weakened the magnetic field strength. Expert interviews with Alstom and Heidelberg Materials confirm that embedding a PCB in a concrete sleeper alleviates the need for exact positioning and extensive environmental protection during balise installation. Integrating the balise into the sleeper eliminates the need for separate balise casings and provides mechanical protection against impacts and environmental stress.

In modern web systems built with microservices, efficient cache management is crucial for minimizing response times, network traffic, and CPU load. A commonmethod is to use a time-to-live (TTL) parameter to control how long data is stored inthe cache, but static TTL values can create problems if they are not adapted to changing access patterns. This thesis investigates how different TTL strategies affect APIperformance and resource usage in a microservice-like environment. Four differentstrategies were implemented and compared: static TTL, load- and content-basedTTL, sliding window TTL, and hit-rate-based TTL. The results show that static TTLachieved the highest cache hit rate and stable response times in a relatively predictable environment, while adaptive strategies showed potential in more dynamic traffic patterns. The conclusion is that the choice of TTL strategy should be adapted tothe system’s specific requirements for performance, flexibility, and resource utilization. 

One of the most relevant and debated topics in the IT world today is AI. The primary purpose of this thesis is to investigate how AI and AI code generators can contribute to streamlining the software development process, as well as to analyze the quality of AI-generated code. To achieve these objectives, the thesis employs qualitative methods to collect relevant information and data. The methods used include literature review, prototype development, code quality assessment and in-depth interviews.

The literature review was conducted to provide an overview of existing research and previous work in the field. Prototype development offered practical examples of how AI can be used to generate code. Code quality assessment was employed to analyze and evaluate the quality of the AI-generated code. In-depth interviews complemented the other methods by providing insights from individuals with experience in artificial intelligence and software development.

These methods were combined to provide a comprehensive view of how AI can be utilized in software development and what factors influence the quality and usability of the code.

During the prototype development phase, the AI tools Builder.io and Meta AI were used. To enable a fair comparison and evaluation of the prototypes' characteristics, a custom evaluation model based on the McCall model was developed. This model assessed various attributes related to code quality and functionality. Additional data was collected through in-depth interviews, where respondents' experiences and opinions were analyzed.

The results showed that Meta AI produced higher code quality and superior problem-solving capabilities compared to Builder.io. The interviews also confirmed that Meta AI generated better code quality according to the respondents. Another significant advantage of Meta AI is that its LLM can be downloaded and used locally, which enhances security and reliability. However, Builder.io offers a unique feature that allows for converting web designs into code, a functionality absent in Meta AI. This capability makes Builder.io valuable in scenarios where quick and straightforward design conversion is a priority.

The Swedish healthcare system uses the Coordinated Individual Plan (SIP) to coordinate care for patients with complex needs. However, these processes are often characterised by inefficient scheduling, manual risk assessment, and subjective prioritisation due to a lack of digital tools, which leads to long waiting times. This thesis developed an AI-driven decision support system that automates both risk assessment and scheduling. The prototype integrates two core components:

1. AI models (Random Forest and XGBoost), trained on synthetic datasets, which achieved 77 percent precision for stroke prediction.
2. A rule-based greedy algorithm for automated scheduling, which scheduled patients based on their risk level and age. In simulations, the algorithm reduced administrative handling time by 83 percent compared to manual scheduling.

The system highlights AI’s potential to prioritise high-risk patients and reduce delays. Ethical and legal considerations, including GDPR compliance, were addressed through synthetic data usage to avoid processing sensitive patient information. Technical and organizational recommendations for future implementation are provided, highlighting the societal benefits of digitising SIP workflows to improve efficiency and fairness in healthcare.

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly tangible. The year 2023 was recorded as the hottest in over 100 000 years, and in Europe, temperatures are rising at roughly twice the global average. One of the climate risks that significantly increases in a warmer climate is the risk of flooding. A one-degree increase in atmospheric temperature allows the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapor, leading to more intense downpours. 

One of the most significant knowledge gaps identified in the built environment is the lack of understanding regarding the long-term effects, financial costs, and trade-offs associated with various climate adaptation options. As a result, this research study investigates whether property owners should implement adaptation measures proactively or wait until a flooding event occurs. The study is carried out through a flood-related risk assessment of five commercial properties owned by Vasakronan in Stockholm County and is linked to the regulations that exist within sustainability. The focus of the report is on technical equipment located in basement levels, examined from the financial perspective of the property owner, and includes a cash flow analysis which describes the difference in property value during climate adaptation and extends to the year 2100.

This study serves as a foundation for how property owners should approach their assets and the risks ahead. It highlights the importance of documenting past flood events to protect the property better against future occurrences. Results show that while it sometimes can be worthwhile to implement adaptation measures today, it is often more economically viable to wait until the risk increases or an actual flood event occurs. Specifically, in Stockholm’s most expensive districts, the potential rental losses are too high for a relocation of technical systems to be considered economically beneficial. However, relocating a single switchgear can be particularly cost-effective in properties where it is the only technical system at risk of flooding. As for relocating all technical systems, profitability may emerge in the future as climate change intensifies flooding events. In general, the cost-effectiveness of implementing climate adaptation strategies increases the longer the planning horizon.

The rise of generative AI (GenAI) in fashion marketing offers efficiency in content creation, but raises concerns about authenticity, trust, and transparency, key drivers of consumer behavior. This study examines how varying levels of AI involvement (human, AI-assisted, and fully AI generated) and disclosure (i.e., whether or not the level of involvement is revealed) affect perceptions of authenticity, credibility, and product quality, and how these factors influence trust and purchase intent. Drawing on preliminary research, a pilot and a survey (n = 115), the study finds that completely AI-generated content lowers perceptions, particularly when disclosed. In contrast, AI-assisted content (AI-Twin) is perceived on a par with human-generated content. Trust mediates the relationship between perceptions and willingness to buy, while transparency has mixed effects. The findings offer guidance for brands to navigate GenAI.

With globalization and outsourcing trends, modern industrial companies often rely on an extensive network of suppliers to construct sophisticated products. To maintain effective production planning and scheduling, integrating and managing the extensive information from supply chain has become increasingly critical. In particular, industrial companies, particularly those aiming to achieve Industry 4.0, enable to collect and analyze data related to their supply chains. Due to the vast amount of collected data, there is a continuous challenge in integrating and analyzing dependencies within the supplier network. While the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a promising solution for extracting and analyzing features from data, the inherently opaque and training-intensive nature of AI-enabled methods still present obstacles to effectively and efficiently analyzing information. To cope with this issue, this paper presents a knowledge-enhanced framework to support supply chain information integration and analysis by combining Knowledge Base (KB) and Graph Neural Networks (GNN). Specifically, constructing a KB enables the integration of extensive collected data with domain knowledge to generate structured and relational information. These knowledge-enhanced data support the training of GNN to encode information about supply chains. The resulting embeddings enable multiple inference tasks for analyzing graph-based data, supporting supply chain management. The case studies cover the usage of encoded embeddings for node classification, link prediction, and scenario classification. The proposed GNN outperforms baseline methods, demonstrating a promising solution for analyzing graph-based data in the context of supply chain management.

With the introduction of IFRS 9 in 2018, financial institutions became obligated to proactively forecast their Expected Credit Losses (ECL) through Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), and Exposure at Default (EAD), marking a shift from the previously backward-looking approach. On behalf of zeb, this study focuses on the construction and evaluation of five different PD prediction models: Logistic Regression (LR, serving as a benchmark model), Support Vector Classification (SVC), Random Forest (RF), XGBoost, and Artifical Neural Network (ANN). In addition to evaluating model performance using PR AUC and ROC AUC metrics, the study applies a smoothing-based technique to assess how well each model's predicted PDs align with estimated true default probabilities. Lastly, a Monte Carlo simulation approach is used to assess the impact of each model on portfolio-level ECL estimates, offering further insights into their practical implications under IFRS 9. 

In summary, the results across all assessments indicated that no single model was universally superior within the constraints of the dataset. Nonetheless, all models outperformed the benchmark LR model, suggesting that more advanced machine learning techniques can yield improved predictive accuracy. Some models also exhibited distinct strengths in which the ANN demonstrated the best overall performance in PD classiciation, SVC produced the most well-calibrated probability estimates, and RF delivered the most accurate portfolio-level ECL estimates when compared to the simulated Realized Credit Loss.