Introduction
RiverCity International workshop organized by Gothenburg municipality and Centrala Älvstaden project in June 2011. 10 groups of 8-9 experts from all over the world were chosen to participate in five-day-long workshop about the development of central riverside areas in Gothenburg. The main goal of the workshop has been to gather concepts and ideas from internationally recognized professionals in order to formulate vision and strategy for transforming Gothenburg into a “green, inclusive and dynamic” city.
Participating teams have studied the challenges that Gothenburg faces in the way of its development through field research, consultation with local experts, and guidance of advisory board. Local experts consisted of the people who have worked in different sectors for Gothenburg municipality and are totally familiar with the city. Advisory board consisted of four exceptionally talented and experienced professionals in the field of urban planning and design. At the end the teams were expected to present their concepts and ideas for the public at the school of business, economics, and law at the Gothenburg University. In addition they are obliged to hand in the complementary report at the end of August.
The effort in this paper is to summarize and evaluate the final results of these 10 teams, which presented in the last day of the workshop, from urban design perspective. For this purpose, three main characteristics of each team including composition of the team, working approach, and key ideas are outlined. Then strong points and drawbacks of each team’s ideas are presented. The evaluation framework for this work is the objectives and guidelines of the workshop presented by Centrala Älvstaden.
East (England)
Composition of the team:
- Research, architecture and urban design
- Sustainable development and economic scenarios
- Cultural research and communication
- Environmental and sustainability research and strategies
Approach:
East’s primary approach is to adjust existing conditions, rather than relying on the creation of new in order to bring results that are meaningful, open and engaged. The effort in their work is to look at the social and public spaces at a city scale and using the public realm and landscape to shape a city that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. The point of departure for their work is a careful observation in order to provide a detailed picture of the place and its context.
Key Ideas:
- Green – green network (connected green areas) and flooding strategy
- Dynamic – diversified economy along with big economies (port, Volvo, Ericsson)
- Inclusive – mixed income housing (more affordable rental apartments or terraced housing)
Strong points:
East has considered all three challenges of the RiverCity (Green, Inclusive, and Dynamic) in its work which is very appreciated. In addition, they have applied user focus design and looked at the social and public spaces at a city scale and therefore could successfully identify the major problem of the city which is lack of effective and inclusive public spaces along the river specially in the north side.
Drawback:
Dann Jessen mentioned in the presentation that the master plan is not definite and it is just for raising the discussion. However, I still think that it would be more effective if they could explain their design process and how they came up with the solutions and plans for each area (Frihamnen, Gulbersvass, Ringön, …). For example why they decided to build on Frihamnen and make a lake at Gulbersvass? why not the other way around?
EGA (Sweden and France)
Composition of the team:
- Architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning
- Art
- Process engineering
Approach:
EGA’s methodology is to define robust, flexible, and long-term sustainable strategies through preliminary investigations prior to the workshop and thematic sessions leading by each member of the team during the workshop.
Thematic sessions include large scale urban planning strategies of the riverCity, Göta river and its potentiality in terms of developing new urbanities, landscapes and waterscapes, strategies and concepts for energy efficient urban development, preservation and transformation of the urban fabric, strategies and concepts for revitalization of the city through innovative public spaces, art and it’s practice as an integrated part of the riverCity’s future identity, sustainable mobility and transport strategies, diversified economical growth and social integration, and innovative building typologies.
Key Ideas:
“Make the city yourself!”
- Gradual transformation of industrial sites into mixed-use and divers neighborhoods with an emphasis on the existing structures, functions, and qualities
Strong points:
In EGA’s work there is a big emphasize on the public participation and involvement as a main tool for gradual and organic transformation of the city. The term “Make the city yourself!” is the manifestation of this idea. They also emphasize on acknowledging the diversity as a valuable quality of the city which needs to be highlighted more in the physical structure.
Drawback:
The focus is more on the two of three challenges of the RiverCity i.e. dynamic and inclusive. They properly explained the strategies to achieve these two goals while there is a need for strategies towards a green city as well. They briefly mentioned some sort of flood strategy but did not explain clearly why this strategy is suitable for Gothenburg.
Espinas (Spain)
Composition of the team:
- Architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning
- Art and design
- Civil engineering
- Environmental science
Approach:
“Workshop within the workshop!”
Espina’s method is to conduct urban analysis and planning through dialogue with citizens.
Key Ideas:
- New mobility model for the city which includes relocating the port railway further north (outside the city) and connecting both side of the river especially in the west by constructing more tunnels and bridges.
- Connected green areas
- Creating an integrated city structure
Strong points:
Espina has been the only team who has proposed to remove the port railway from the city and illustrated how this would opens up the opportunity to create an integrated city structure in the north side of the river. They also have provided clear strategies to create a physically integrated city.
Drawback:
The focus was more on the physical structure and integration. The social and economic aspects were left out.
Grau (France)
Composition of the team:
- Architecture
- Urban planning and design
- Business and economy
- Energy-saving design, sustainable development, and urban future studies
Approach:
Grau adopts a holistic approach to urban planning based on the current context and situation of the RiverCity project and Gothenburg as a whole.
Taking the time factor into account, the effort in Grau’s work is to discuss various future scenarios rather than designing fixed master plan as it is done in classical planning competitions.
Key Ideas:
- Gothenburg consists of several fragmented neighborhoods. Acknowledge each fragment’s specifications and help all of them to grow and become fully who they are!
- Develop a method rather than a fixed project. Start with exploring the fragments, identify their potential and finally develop a toolbox and apply solutions.
- Provide fast connection to the neighboring cities: Copenhagen and Oslo as well as Uddevalla, Borås, and Varberg
Strong points:
Grau’s approach toward urban planning has been novel, direct, and pragmatic. They have had a strong emphasis on the flexibility and consideration of local values. Their message is clear: develop a method rather than a fixed project!
Drawback:
But their ideas for each area have been controversial. Stronger analysis is needed to support what they propose to do in Ringön, Gulbersvass, or Frihamnen.
Güller Güller (Switzerland)
Composition of the team:
- Urban planning and development strategy
- Sustainability and transport
- Economics
- Landscape and water
Approach:
Güller Güller’s primary work method is Co-Creation. It means designing in cooperation with different stakeholders/actors and expertise in an open and creative process. The process includes intensive “actor-workshops” at the beginning, a feed-back loop on a first set of ideas, and a public hearing at the end.
Key Ideas:
“The river is for everyone!”
- Make it accessible for pedestrians and bicycles
- Make it livable by creating green public spaces
- Make it dense by building in between the current spread out structure
Strong points:
Güller Güller has considered solutions for all three main challenges of the RiverCity (Green, Inclusive, and dynamic) which is very appreciated. In addition, they have had a strong well explained proposal focusing on the infrastructure and urban form.
Drawback:
They left out Ringön and Gulbersvass and did not propose any specific plans for them while these are two important strategic sites and play an important role in the development of RiverCity area.
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