IMAGINARIES AND EXPULSION: How 1,000 Temporary Accommodation Units for Refugees in the City of Gothenburg Became 57

From September to November 2015, more than 100,000 people applied for asylum in Sweden. Societal solidarity was unmistakable during this period, but six months later, when the refugees were be accommodated, situation had changed. In analysis of imaginaries migrants as strangers I scrutinize city Gothenburg's plan build 1,000 temporary housing units accommodate refugees. The project failed, resulting only 57 being built. article analyse societal imaginations revealed, including those embedded political and public conflicts opinion. an attempt understand why sometimes refuse share social space, draw on a combination Sara Ahmed's theories figure ‘the stranger’ Julia Kristeva's how stranger emanates from ontological lack. also outline different techniques expulsion can used create spatial temporal estrangement. subsequent demonstrate practices exclusion worked expel urban development plans Gothenburg. conclusion emphasizes urgent need among majority populations, draws attention fact that ‘foreigner is within us’.