Ballerup Boulevard

Skovlunde

GOAL no. 3, 9, 13, 15

A former traffic corridor that divided two urban areas has been transformed into an inviting green urban space. The space available for vehicle traffic has been significantly reduced in favour of cyclists and pedestrians, who can now move more freely through the area.

Most modernistic suburbs were laid out as functionally divided urban areas with large bypass roads that formed solid barriers between adjacent districts. The result was urban spaces and infrastructure that felt unsafe to non-vehicle traffic and today they remain as intended: transport corridors for cars going 50+ km/h.

With the transformation of Ballerup Boulevard the number of lanes has been halved from four to two and been upgraded into a verdant park strip. Passages across the boulevard connect the two urban areas which were previously divided, due to heavy traffic between the nearby station square and the urban centres.

The new boulevard design features simple geometric shapes, lines and gravelled zones with trees, perennials, and ornamental grasses. New climate protection measures flank the pavements and bicycle paths thus pre-empting stormwater and extreme rain events.

The transformation of Ballerup Boulevard is part of a major strategic urban planning project in the suburb of Skovlunde. Surrounding traffic has been significantly reduced after the implementation of the project, and the new urban space is now used by cyclists as well as dog walkers and other pedestrians.

This project demonstrates how oversized, car-oriented roads can be transformed into attractive green spaces while establishing connection between districts benefitting both cyclists, pedestrians, and local residents.

Project details

Where: Ballerup Boulevard, 2740 Skovlunde

Completed: 2018

Clients: Ballerup Municipality, Novafos Architects and advisors:

Marianne Levinsen Landskab (architect), Jesper Kongshaug (lightning design), NIRAS A/S (engineer)