The Soul of Nørrebro

The objective is to promote interaction between the immediate natural and built environment in Nørrebro, and residents and visitors to Nørrebro. This neighbourhood is situated in Copenhagen’s city centre, and draws on a profusion of cultural influences. Nørrebro has always been an initiator in the cultural exchange between Nørrebro and the rest of Copenhagen. Time and again Hans Tavsens Park and Korsgade have responded to and met the needs of the people of Copenhagen for recreation and an active urban life. However, rainfall in Nørrebro, often combined with heavy cloudbursts – in particular in the areas of Hans Tavsens Park and Korsgade – may lead to negative impacts on Nørrebro over time diminishing its role and place in Copenhagen. The project will address the needs and diverse opportunities for urban life, biodiversity and peace of mind in an area - Nørrebro - that may need to accommodate 18,000 m3 of rain water during extreme rainfall events. In approaching the objective of increased interaction between people, nature and the built environment, this project applies lifecycle thinking that reflects the very special nature of Nørrebro. The project seeks to combine three complementary cycles: 1. the hydrological 2. the biological and 3. the social cycle. The aim is to create an internal synergy between these cycles, which will result in a holistic, unique urban nature - a cultivated microcosm – that creates tangible and measurable value, both for the local area and for all of Copenhagen. The design for Hans Tavsens Park and Korsgade has been based on five main tools in the form of concept (see the Activities section). These tools will enable a good everyday life for all residents and visitors. This will be achieved by using the tools to increase the synergy between water, biotopes and the people of Nørrebro. Together, these tools will strengthen the unique quality of the area by creating an open framework that conveys the juxtaposition of the constructed and the cultivated. The five tools are well aligned with the overall objective, and will secure a holistic project implementation. The tools, or concepts, cover: 1. Climate adaptation with city nature: The entire project area will be climate-adapted, using the city’s natural environment as the basis. Tanks to collect rain water from roof surfaces will be located through- out the area. The collected rain water can then be used - by residents for irrigation, by schools for learning and by the municipality for cleaning purposes or irrigation. The Hans Tavsens Park will be fitted with a retention volume of no less than 18,000 m3 at ground level, so that extreme rainfall water from upstream areas can be purified and held prior to controlled discharge. 2. Differences for all: The residents of Nørrebro, its associations and visitors have very different expectations of, and dreams about, good urban life. Hence community engagement will be a core activity throughout the project implementation. 3. Schools as drivers and Copenhagen’s first Fablab for urban nature: There is a huge potential for using the area’s institutions and schools as drivers for the entire urban development of the district. From an early age, children from Nørrebro will learn to be active co-creators of the Nørrebro cycle and its city nature. The Blågård School, Nørrebro Park School, HTØ and HTV, Et Frie Gymnasium, Korsgadehallen and the manned playgrounds can all play an active role in that development. The FABLAB for City nature can use rainwater for the irrigation of plants. Rainwater can also be used to irrigate city nature biotopes, not only in urban spaces and in Hans Tavsens Park, but also on private balconies and in the backyards of buildings. 4. Links: Both the physical and visual links between Hans Tavsens Park, Korsgade and their context will be improved so that the area is made more accessible, both physically and mentally. The project will be integrated as closely as possible with the environment so that the site will continue to be perceived as open and including. 5. Working with the urban landscape: The Hellig Kors church is considered an architectural hinge to be integrated in the overall whole, rather than being considered a separate entity. Success Factors The project has gained significant attention in Denmark, the Nordics and beyond. The community engagement has started, with a tremendously positive response. In 2016, the project was the final winner of the prestigious Nordic Built Cities Challenge, with the jury stating: ”The proposal is of high aesthetic value, where the play and flow of water brings logic to the landscape. With a blue-green approach it creates a new and unique model for flood management. It leverages utility investment for more holistic, sustainable and resilient results that create both social and technological benefits. The proposal breaks new ground and has development and export potential though a smart application of technical, cultural and social values”. The project is also woven into the overall Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Plan that won the first prize on "Large-scale green networks and development concepts" in the 8th European Garden Award. Novelty The community engagement has taken the form of initial information meetings, workshops, city walks, and involving the nearby schools and school children. The project proponents consider it vital to trying to understand young people’s needs and hopes in going forward, also considering that down the road these age cohorts are the ones who will live with the actual solutions. In later stages of the project, people will be engaged in the construction and maintenance phases as well. Sustainability Impacts The final impacts will be known only in years to come, but it remains clear that conceptualizing an innovative way to simultaneously build climate resilience and sustainable urban development has been a key impact so far. Both laypeople and professionals are invited to become involved by contacting SLA Architects. The needs and possible contributions may vary from time to time, but this project is designed to be based on collaboration and co-creation. Challenges and potential for further development   The potential for further development lies in spreading the novel thinking and approach of the project, as well as challenging other cities and developers of urban environment to address and seek new yet relevant solutions to existing problems. Contact person(s) for more information: Kristoffer Holm Pedersen Head of Communications & Business Development khp@sla.dk 45 6080 9394