Bridging the gap (Karl Sandman

BRIDGING THE GAP

KARL SANDMAN

This project seeks to connect todays natural areas with the proposed wetland along Göta älv, and in the continuation give the possibility of future connections over the river itself. To do this a large amount of infrastructural barriers have to be overcome, and connections between green and built environments has to be thought through in order for the natural environment to be able to thrive.

General context and approach

The project is located just north of Bäckebol, in between the proposed residential and industrial areas put forward in the master plan.

In the master plan this area was identified as a potential link between different green areas within Gothenburg; the large forests and farmlands on Hisingen, to the proposed wetland along Göta älv and in the continuation the nature on the eastern side of the river.

Today these varying forms of green areas are divided by large scale infrastructural elements, such as the E6, and spread out smaller roads, separating the area into smaller islands. Due to its relation to the E6, the area has developed into becoming a car centred area, not giving much attention to soft movement such as bikers and pedestrians.

To create ideal paths for local species and animals, the approach has been to put the green corridor at focus, and to minimize disturbance, but to still allow for an increased quality of soft movement in the area. To do this, the relation between built environment, human movement and green areas is crucial.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Main problems

Car dependent

Pedestrian and bike friendly

This key project sets out to propose a solution problems that the area is facing. The main issue is the lack of “green” connections, meaning connections between different green areas. Today the larger green areas of Gothenburg is divided by large infrastructure and other man made elements, preventing different species from moving in between them. Another issue is the overall car dependency of the area. The services and functions within the area, in combination with the communication network is all made with motorized traffic in mind. This is an issue since the masterplan aims at prioritizing soft movement over motorized. The final issue that this key project sets out to solve is the future flooding situation. The key project will not focus much on the future sea-level rise, but instead on heavy rainfall, which the built environment today has a negative impact on, making the issues larger. To work with these issues the project takes its starting point around a green corridor and ecoduct, which aims at connecting the nature west of the E6 and the proposed wetland along Göta älv. To make this connection possible the current street network has to be changed, to make sure to minimize disturbance on natural life. When doing this the changes in the network aims at strengthening the usability for soft movement and public transport. Finally the E6 and other streets prevents water from reaching Göta älv. In order minimize negative impacts from future heavy rainfall a stream is introduced within the ecological corridor. First and foremost these changes aims at improving the connections between natural areas, but it also aims at creating liveable areas where the built environment respects nature.

Restricted water flows Barriers

Added stream

Bridge barriers

The connection

The area that the masterplan is working with is strictly divided into different layers consisting of different functions; such as nature, residential, infrastructure etc. This division also results in a barrier effect preventing wildlife and nature to spread from the forests in the west to the proposed wetland in the east , and in the continuation across Göta älv.

This key project aims at breaking this barrier by introducing an ecological corridor as pointed out within the masterplan reaching from the forests in the west to the wetland in the east. To bridge the barriers an ecoduct is necessary. This connection can be viewed as crucial since it would provide one of very few undisturbed connections over todays infrastructure and Göta älv, making it possible for animals and other species to move as they could do before human exploitation of the landscapes.

To make this connection possible to function as desired, the connection between nature and todays and proposed built environment is crucial. This key project will further explore and propose way forward.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Urban design proposal

This project has mainly focused on the green corridor and how its surroundings should relate to it. To showcase the natures relation to the built environment the blocks closest to the green corridor has been developed within this key project.

The green corridor stretches across what is today former industrial plots, fast food restaurants and a gas station. Just north and south of the green corridor there is today open grass fields, fields for spruce cultivation and space for agricultural plots/urban farming. These natural values has been of key importance within this project, particularly how they can develop and relate to the ecological corridor to create a suitable environment for both animals and human life. Within the master plan the nature within this area is proposed to be of a wilder character, in which human movement is more limited than in other parts of the master plan. This character is preserved within this key project, giving priority to wildlife and nature, while still aiming at creating a human scale development with accessible natural areas Apart from what was pointed out in the masterplan, densification within the residential area west of E6 is proposed. Here the aim was to break the current structure by working towards creating smaller private gardens for the residents.

On the eastern side of the highway, south of the green corridor, offices are proposed along the E6 and residential buildings facing the inner streets. Closest to the wetland development in the shape of townhouses is proposed to create a smooth transition between the built environment and the nature.

East of the E6 and north of the green corridor was pointed out as industrial area within the master plan. Within this key project the first block is pointed out as suitable for urban farming instead of heavy industry, to better relate to the green corridor.

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BRIDGING THE GAP | Main outdoor functions

1. Ecological corridor: The main part of this key project has been the ecological corridor/ecoduct which stretches from the forests in the west, down to Göta älv. 2. Spring: In the middle of the ecological corridor a spring is proposed as a way to carry rain water run off from the hills to Göta älv, a pond to slow down the flow is also proposed. 3. Extension of agricultural plots: To invite to human use of the southern part of the ecological corridor, an extension of current agricultural plots is proposed. 4. Urban farming: Just north of the ecological corridor the decision of keeping the industrial area was made in the master plan. To create a smoother transition between nature and industry, the first plot is proposed to be dedicated to urban farming. 5. Urban park/path: The slope leading up to the ecoduct, from the residential area east of the E6 is proposed to become an urban park, with seating and other relevant installations, in order to invite to human use of the southern part of the ecological corridor. 6. Green social corridor: Within the master plan a green social corridor was proposed stretching from west to east. Here it is proposed to take a more park like shape, to strenghten the human use of the outoors in this otherwise quite wild forest landscape.

7. Current spruce cultivation

8. Farms: Just north of the ecological corridor there is a few farms of cultural and natural value which are proposed to be preserved. 9. Dense floodable forest: This part of the wetland is proposed to be of a wilder character, both within the masterplan and this key project, to prioritize wildlife. 10. Wetland: Where the ecological corridor meets Göta älv, the green area is proposed to be in the shape of a wetland, in order to invite biodiversity. 166

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Relation - ecological corridor and surroundings

0 200 500 m The ecological corridor has the potential to bring natural and human life to the area. But to function it needs support from its surroundings, meaning that the ecological corridor and its surroundings must work together. Below follows an explanation of the strongest “contributors”.

1. Agricultural plots: The extension of the agricultural plots are mainly proposed to attract human movement to the southern side of the ecological corridor, but they also have the potential of adding to the biodiversity of the area. 2. Farms: The western part of the ecological corridor is surrounded by farmlands. Farmlands are very important for the biodiversity in Sweden and is home to a large part of Swedish natural species (WWF). By working together, the ecolocigal corridor can work as a safe passage for these species. 3. Spruce cultivation: This area provides a different environment for particular species to thrive. By having access to the ecological corridor they have the opportunity to spread. 4. Residential gardens: Private gardens has a large potential for creating environments that endangered species can live and thrive in. (Länsstyrelserna 2019, 2). Together with the ecological corridor this has the potential of strengthening the biodiversity. 5. Urban farming: As mentioned above, farmlands can contain a large biodiversity. The urban farming plot can add and benefit from the surroundings through the ecological corridor. 6. Green buffer zone/wetland: This area is large enough to consist of a variety of habitats. This area as a whole will benefit and contribute to the surroundings. The ecological corridor provides the opportunity for species to move between here, and into the forests in the west and on the other side of Göta älv.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Distribution of flows

The main motorized movement will continue to be on the E6 motorway, passing straight through the area from south to north. On each side of the E6, the streets have been reworked in favour of non-motorized movement. Most of the streets allow for pedestrian and bikes to travel safely in their individual lanes/sidewalks. Apart from this the area already as it is today provides a relatively good street network for nonmotorized movement, but additions have been made in order to motivate people to travel without motorized vehicles. Closest to the river the where the ecological corridor is, the pedestrian movement is concentrated to one spot to not disturb animal movement

One of the largest additions to the street network is the tram line, stretching through the master plan as a whole. The location of the tram line was decided to be central in the residential area in order to create movement in this otherwise relatively calm area, and by not proposing it to be located next to the green buffer zone/wetland a calmer natural area is achieved.

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Ecological corridor Tramline and main street Main motorized/E6 Main pedestrian/bike Secondary streets

Streets before and after

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Preserved Removed/changed New

Preserved Removed/changed New One of the main initial focuses of this key project was to rework the road infrastructure in a way so that the ecological corridor and ecoduct gets disturbed by traffic and movement as little as possible.

The approach was to concentrate most roads passing the ecoduct close to the E6 so that they all can be bridged simultaneously by the ecoduct. Some disturbance from smaller roads was viewed as acceptable.

Roads within the former industrial area was of a scale no longer necessary since the proposed development is mainly residential and partially commercial/offices. Therefore larger scale infrastructural elements such as roundabouts are proposed to be replaced with smaller crossings that don’t take up as much space, the aim is also to limit motorized movement which a crossing does in a better way than a roundabout.

Furthermore, new and strengthened pedestrian and bike roads was implemented both within the proposed densification east of the E6, but also along the southern parts of the ecological corridor and ecoduct to create more attractive ways of moving in the area. A possibility for human movement across the ecoduct is also has the aim of creating stronger incentives for the construction of the ecoduct in itself.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Plot division

West of the E6 the densification is proposed to take place on individual plots separated from the larger original plot structure. The aim here was to create a clear distinction between private and public use, as a contrast to what today, with the large open yards, could be viewed as unclear. (fig 1) As Eva Minoura states in her research “Uncommon Ground”, the access to the yards, the size of the created spaces and how it relates to neighboring areas in the form of enclosure play a role in the territorial performance outcome. (p.19). This view on spaces was taken into consideration when coming up with this proposal.

East of the E6, apart from the industrial development, there are two distinctly different kind of block structures. West of the main road, apartment -and office development is proposed. The aim here was to create backyards that would be used all time of the day, either by office workers or by residents. The aim was to shared gardens, with an building extrusion creating a framed off private space only intended to be used by residents. (fig 2)

The town house development consists of distinct private yards with the buildings being placed almost in line with the street and the main private gardens facing inwards. Between the two rows of town houses a shared “club good” park/path is proposed in order to encourage interactions between neighbors. (fig 3)

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Private good

Club good

Public good

Land divisions

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Residential Office Residential, commercial bottom floor As can be seen in the analysis below that were done for the masterplan, the movement within the area is predicted to be relatively limited. With this low amount of movement, no major commercial functions are suitable. Therefore the area is proposed to mainly consist of residential -and office buildings, with the exception for industrial development in the north and a part of the block neighboring the tram-stop that could be suitable for commercial use on the bottom floor, with the tram stop likely being a source of movement in itself.

MS NB 5K

NMS AI 2K

BRIDGING THE GAP | Urban and natural rules

1. Along the E6 the development should be primarily offices within taller buildings. The aim with this is to create a barrier against noise pollution from the heavily trafficked E6.

2. Within the area the development should be residential. Since movement within the area is estimated to be quite limited there is not much basis for commercial use in the bottom floors.

3. All buildings east of the E6 should have elevated first floors to allow for a higher degree of privacy within the housing units.

4. The buildings should decrease in scale in a gradient the further away from the E6, and the close to the wetland you get. The aim with this is to create a smooth transition between built environment and wilder nature.

6. To decrease disturbance of wildlife and nature human movement (both motorized and non motorized) should be concentrated to be able to be bridges by the ecoduct.

7. The width of the ecoduct allows for human movement to coexist with nature and wildlife. But to create a safe-zone for the nature and wildlife, human movement should be concentrated along the southern side of the ecoduct, transitioning into more wild nature as you move north 1. Offices facing E6

4. Decrease of scale 2. Residential facing inwards

5. Minimize disturbance 3. Elevated first floor

6. Human -south nature - north

Transition between built and nature

Parts of this key project will on the following pages be explored in more detail. The dashed line outlines these area. This includes the ecoduct, and how it relates to its surroundings and the proposed mixed use area east of the E6. These areas was chosen due to their central part within this key project, and how they function determines the outcome of the project as a whole.

The render below shows the area of transition between the built environment and the ecoduct. With the ecoduct itself being the edge/transition from the residential area to the industrial area.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Ecoduct sections

The ecological corridor stretches all the way from the forests in the west, down to the wetland by Göta älv in the east. In order for wildlife and humans to be able to cross todays heavy infrastructure the ecological corridor has to transition into an ecoduct. To minimize the length of the ecoduct, the roads are proposed to be concentrated along the E6, to be able to be bridged all at once.

In order to achieve slopes that are accesible for everyone including disabled persons the ecoduct is proposed to be approximately 450 meters long. A wider spring is proposed to be dug out to carry rain water from the hills in the east, to Göta älv in the east. The spring should run in a tunnel underneath the ecoduct, and open at ground level in the other parts of the ecological corridor.

Pedestrian/bike path on ecoduct visualization

This render is showing the pedestrian/bike path on top of the ecoduct, on the estern side of the E6. The path leads all the way down to Göta älv.

This path is where the human movement is thought to take place, and to the left in the picture the wilder nature part of the ecological corridor is located, in which animals and other species can move and thrive undisturbed by human activities.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Building sections

The proposed densification within this key area is the edge of the proposed mixed use development within the master plan. North of the ecological corridor/ecoduct the current industrial area continues.

This makes this area particularly interesting, since it is dealing with a transition between two quite distinct uses.

The area consists of taller 5 story office/ commercial development with elevated first floors facing the E6, acting as a barrier against noise pollution from the heavy traffic.

On both sides of the areas main road the proposal consists of 3 story development with elevated first floors to increase the level of privacy within the housing units. West of the main road the residential buildings consists of apartments, east of the main road development in the form of town houses is proposed.

The intention is to create a gradient of building scale as it transitions into nature, with the gardens of the town houses adding to the biodiversity of the area.

Densification visualization

This conceptual render shows the residential and office development to the left, and the proposed town house development to the right.

Between these buildings a street with priority for pedestrian, bikers and public transport is proposed. The area is accessible by car, but they share the lanes with the proposed tram line, in order to decrease speed and car use. The aim with this is to create an area in which pedestrians and bikers can move freely.

The main entrances to the buildings are facing the main road with the intention of creating movement and possible spontaneous interactions between the areas residents.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Ecoduct sections

The southern side of the ecoduct and the ecological corridor is where human movement is mainly concentrated.

The road used by cars and trams passes underneath in a tunnel, neighbored by a bicycle path for those that want to take the quickest way ahead.

The ecoduct gently slopes towards the residential area with a landscaped path, creating an urban park atmosphere to invite people to use the ecoduct as a walking/ biking path. The slope takes a zig-zag pattern in order to achieve an incline that meets the standards of regulations regarding disabled accessibility in Sweden.

To achieve an ecoduct that is usable by humans at the same time as it provides a safe and undisturbed passage for animals the ecoduct has to be wide. During a tutoring with Oskar Kindvall a width between 60 and 100 meters was proposed in order for an ecological corridor/ecoduct to function with limited human movement. The width of the proposal is approximately 80 meters, which should be sufficient.

Ecoduct slope visualization

This conceptual render shows the slope leading down toward the residential area from the ecoduct. As mentioned it is proposed to take a more park-like shape, in order to invite to human use of the southern parts of the ecoduct. It is of importance that this part of the ecoduct acts as a contrast to the wilder parts of the ecoduct to make it obvious that human movement is strived for and encouraged.

BRIDGING THE GAP | Building density

Building density within the dashed lines are: FSI 1.15 GSI 0.31 OSR 0.6

Within the masterplan this key project area consisted of both high density development (FSI 1.5, GSI 0.3) and medium density development (FSI 0.6, GSI 0.2). The aim was to stay within the boundaries that the masterplan put out, and to achieve an area that of a medium density, with a relatively large amount of open space per resident/ user within the development itself.

The relatively high open space ratio value implies that the size of the outdoor space within the area is large in comparison to potential users, which was the aim given the areas relation to the city of Gothenburg and its low centrality overall.

The main entrances should be located along the main streets, to create as much movement as possible

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