The green spine (Maja Lindroth

THE GREEN SPINE

MAJA LINDROTH

This key project focus on the social and ecological systems that coincides within a green space and aims to create a space that reflects the preconditions set by the built structures with the

Problem description

Kvillebäcken is a route that stretches about 3,3km from Backaplan in the south to Hökälla nature reserve in the north. The green area covers approximately 250km2 and differs in width from being a broad park to a narrow passage. It is a green spine running through the area and apart from connecting north to south, Kvillebäcken also reduces the distance between green pockets and serves as many residents closest park. The attraction distance analysis that was made during the masterplan process highlights this.

The green route is a space within the built where social and ecological systems coincide. The diversity throughout the area the park is running through, the surrounding structures and, the shape of the park, create different conditions for the social and ecological functions that sometimes favor one more than the other. In the master plan density of people and centrality were considered when creating the shape of the park and location of the path. High density and centrality gave a wider green space and paths on both sides of the stream while the lower centrality and people density only have one path and a more ecological focus.

This project will look more deeply into the balance between the social and ecological functions that coexist, their potentials, and how that can be represented in physical planning. The design will be supported by ecosystem services that answer to the preconditions and whished characteristics.

Attrachtion Reach - Green entrances before masterplan Attrachtion Reach - Green entrances after masterplan Attraction Reach - Green entrances

< 100 100-200 200-300 300-500 > 500 [m]

THE GREEN SPINE | Green context

A green area is a green route or nature area close to the built society that is available for the public and that can be a place for recreation, physical activity, and rest. What activity is most fitting for the green area depends on its size, shape, and type of nature (Johansson et al., 2009).

Kvillestråkets shape is rather restricting to what it can host. It is at times quite narrow while sometimes in connection to larger park space. Even if the main function is to be a green pedestrian route it serves as many residents closest park and should therefore offer space for rest, recreation and play.

Grahn (2005) defined eight characteristics of nature/garden rooms that can be used while defining and planning

1. Serene:

Peaceful, silence and care. Absence of city noise and rubbish. 2. Wild

Wild nature that seems unaffected by human activity. Old and natural. 3. Rich in species

Offering a variety of species of plants, vegetation and animals “biodiversity” 4. Space

Spacious area with a feeling of “entering another world”, getting away from the city. for a green area. These characteristics can also be seen as what makes a green space attractive to people and answers to people’s different needs (Johansson et al., 2009).

Kvillestråket cannot contain all eight characteristics. Instead, the focus has been on numbers 4-8, to a different extent and in different parts of the area. In surrounding green areas can other qualities be found, especially those that need more space.

5. The common / green arena

A green open space with room for activity and stays. Sport and play. 6. The pleasure garden / the playful

An enclosed safe place to relax and play. For children a place to experiment and play. 7. Festive

Meeting place for festivity and pleasure. Permanent functions like cafes and stages. 8. Culture

Historical or cultural place. Containing historical landmarks, squares, art, flowers etc.

Green context

Hökälla nature reserve

Hisingsparken Small farm

Arödsberget

Keillers park Frihamnen Hisingsparken

Keillers park

Frihamnen

Arödsberget

Small farm

Hökälla nature reserve

Angular Integration 5k

< 400 400 - 740 740 - 1100 1100 - 1500 1500 - 1950 1950 - 2400 > 2400

Network Betweenness 5k

< 2 000 000 2 000 000 - 8 000 000 8 000 000 - 30 000 000 > 30 000 000

THE GREEN SPINE | Preconditions

The angular integration 5k shows that the whole area has a rather high integration which naturally fades towards the north where the network has fewer connections. In the masterplan the built density matches these conditions, higher integration has a higher density. That will in turn bring more people to the southern part of the park area which puts demands on usability and endurance. The network betweenness for 5k shows that the roads on the edge of the park in the south have a high betweenness while the path within is rather low. In the north, the path itself shows up as red which is expected since it is one of few roads running in that direction. This could be interpreted as that in the south the path is a place for strolling while in the north it is part of the main route.

Preconditions

High water level Göteborg 2100

The whole area will be highly impacted by high-water and heavy rainfall, located on the lowest point of the plot the stream and the area around is what shows up as most blue on the map.

Highwater was considered in the masterplan and the added green area and ponds will contribute to stronger resilience. This should factor should still be taken into account in this project when planning hard and soft ground surfaces. Noise can affect both people’s health and sometimes animals. Temporary exposure could lead to a rise in pulse and blood pressure. Longer periods of exposure raises the risk of heart diseases, stress, and sleep disruption (Boverket)

Göteborg stad has set up a goal that all bigger city parks should have a noise level lower than 50dBA in a majority of the area (Goteborg stad). Kvillestråket does not count as a city park but the value can be used as a target level while planning the green structures.

Traffic noise level Göteborg 2018

<40

40-45

45-50

50-55

55-60

60-65

65-70

>70 dB

Air pollution, CO2 level Göteborg 2018

20

26

32

40μg/m3

Air pollution affects both people and the environment. In people, it can cause severe diseases and in nature, it contributes to acidification, corrosion, and damage to plants to mention a few (Naturvårdsverket)

Miljökvalitetsnormer (MKN) for air pollutions is a target value created by the European Parliament that should be met nationwide, mean value 40μg/m3 Göteborgs stad has formulated their own Environmental goals of 20μg/m3 (Göteborgs stad, 2020)

Cultural

Providing

Regulating

Supporting

Icons: The New Direction/Boverket

THE GREEN SPINE | Ecosystem servises

The main design strategy for this project has been based on ecosystem services and the matrix combining services with natural elements. The character of the park and its preconditions decided which ecosystem services that would be aimed for.

Ecosystem services are all product and services that ecosystems provide for humans and contributes to our wellbeing (Isacson et al., 2021). Qualitative blue and green structures in our cities actively prevent flooding, heat island, air, and water pollutions and have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health (Isacson et al., 2021). The ecosystem services are often divided into four categories, supportive, regulating, providing, and cultural.

The supportive are the basic functions such as biodiversity, ecological interactions, and natural cycles. The supportive services are necessary for all others to function.

The regulating is about cleaning air and water, pollination, improving the local climate, and protecting against extreme weather. They contribute to safer and better life quality.

The providing are products and services that comes directly from the ecosystem like raw material, water, energy and food.

The cultural services define the well-being qualities that nature brings. Experience, knowledge, and inspiration that is important for people’s mental and physical health. (Boverket, 2021a)

Ecosystem servises

Habitat Biodiversity Ecological interaction Soil formation 2 binding C0 Mental well-being Recreation Social interactions Culture and identity Water regulation Reducing water runoff Pollination Regulating local climate Noice reduction Weather resilience Air cleaning

Park

Lawn

High grass

Meadow

Noice barrier

Old trees

Trees in hard surface

Shrubs and bushes

Flower bed

“Roadside ditch”

Pond

Based on a matrix by Boverket. Icons: The New Direction/Boverket In the project only the regulating, supporting and cultural ecosystem servises has been considered since many of the providing are not applicabel att the current location.

Matrix

Big impact Some impact Small or no impact

THE GREEN SPINE | habitat

Image of Knölnate Photo: Voekler, T. (2008) Potamogeton trichoides The existing habitats consist of mostly conscious forest and small areas of tall forest and open grass vegetation. These habitats are concentrated along Kvillebäcken and are mostly cohesive apart from a few patches. In the proposal have trees been added to these blanks to even strengthen and better connect the habitats.

In the map over habitats does the golf course in the north show not show up, neither as any kind of greenery nor an open grass field. Even though being monocultural the field can bring value to some species and contributes to a greener experience in the area.

The southern part of Kvillebäck is the home of Knölnaten, one of Sweden’s most rare species. This water-growing herb is endangered and therefore protected by artskyddsförordningen. Knölnaten likes slow running, shallow water that is exposed to the sun. It is sensitive to boat traffic, too much growth of other species, and digging processes in the waterbed.

One place that is interesting for replanting of Knölnaten is ponds on golf courses since they are surrounded by open vegetation and therefore a sunny spot. They are also rarely overgrown. The ponds at the northern part of the project area are therefore a potential spot for introducing Knölnaten and thereby strengthening the habitat of the endangered species.

(Source Knölnate: Nilsson. E., Gustafson. L. (2011) )

The left map shows the existing habitats within the project area and the right map shows the added habitats in the proposal.

The deciduous trees have been added at empty patches between existing habitats to create a more connected habitat.

Knölnate has been introduced in the ponds in the north of the area.

Habitat

Open land vegetation Tall forest Decidious trees Decidious trees Decidious trees Added decidious trees Knölnate Added Knölnate

THE GREEN SPINE | Area One

Area One is the southernmost part the image shows its location in relation to the masterplan.

In this area, the focus has been on the cultural ecosystem services along with supportive to deal with the natural preconditions such as water, air pollution, and noise.

The main green structures used to achieve these are trees, bushes, lawns, and meadows. The first area is furthest South and connects to a large road, tram, and bus stop. Trees bushes are put up to create a barrier that helps against noise and creates a visual distance between people in the park and the busy surroundings. Apart from the large road in the south, the park is surrounded solely by pedestrian and bicycle streets to make it calmer even though located in a busy area. That creates the option for both internal and external movement.

The park itself has many smaller paths which is dividing the green space into smaller patches. Some of these are urban meadows, flower plantations, or filled with trees to create diversity. But most of them are quite open in contrast to the dense surrounding. Even though lawns are appreciated elements in green areas, especially in locations for play, rest, picnics, walks, and social interactions, people also want diversity in their green areas that activate all senses (Ignatieva, 2017).

The building blocks are closed and frame the park. A street and a patch of greenery right in front of the building separate it from the park. In front of the school, there is a small square connected to the park for the students, this can be seen in the detailed imaged

Plan detail

0 100 200 m

A A Section A-A Park meeting buildings

The common / green arena

The pleasure garden / the playful

Culture

The park space offers big open surfaces to play as well as designated playgrounds. It has a variety in greenery and more and less secluded places. Places to rest along the way, both short es stops like a bench and longer stays for picnics and barbeques.

Legend

Open grass fiels Tall grass meadow Flower bed Stream School Car street Pedestrian / bike street Playground Existing park

THE GREEN SPINE | Area Two

Area two lies on the densest and commercial part. The plot offers less space for recreation so the focus has been on the other cultural ecosystem services such as social interaction and culture & identity.

Flowering trees, meadows, and plantations are some elements used to strengthen this. Bushes and trees are added to reduce noise and air pollution. The second area is in the intersection of big infrastructure and unlike the first area car traffic is present along the edge of the park creating a different characteristic. Trees and bushes have been added to reduce the noise and create a visual buffer from the traffic to some extent.

The roads that cross have a high betweenness and the area itself shows a high integration on the analyses giving the area a commercial value. This leads to a high number of people passing by and therefore a social demand on the park space.

The northern part has many smaller walking paths, plantations, meadows, and a playground. By the intersection and the square, some hard surfaces have been added for gatherings or commercial use. On the east side, the path is forming a platform along the water allowing people to get closer to it. This can be seen in the detailed image.

In the southern part, the park is more like the first area with bigger patches of grass in a less organized way.

Plan detail

0 100 200 m

The pleasure garden / the playful

Festive

Culture

The high integration creates an opportunity to create a festive place where people can meet and cafes might establish. The smaller area offers different rooms within the park and a variety of greenery, flowers, and even sculptures to enjoy.

Legend

Open grass fiels Tall grass meadow Flower bed Stream Public building Car street Pedestrian / bike street Playground

THE GREEN SPINE | Area Three

The third area lies between a residential area and an industrial area. The focus shifts from being social to more ecological. Existing habitats are strengthened and there is an ecological exchange between the private gardens and the public park. Again, trees and shrubs play a vital park along with the new pond.

The social part focus on creating a nice trail to walk by with possibilities to stop by the water and also interact with others. In this area, the park is becoming more informal and shifting from a social to a more ecological focus. There is only one path on the west side and non on the east side where the park is meeting the existing industrial area. This side is kept at peace, preserving and strengthening the existing habitats.

In contrast to the east, the west side has a few arranged benches and platforms by the water where people can stay.

The park is meeting a more perforated built structure. The greenery, the private gardens, and common spaces float more together. The blocks are open creating an ecological flow between the courtyards and the park, though separated by a slight height difference to mark the private border. Bushes, flowers, and trees have also been used to strengthen this. The zoomed-in picture show this meeting and how the buildings are meeting the park.

Colding (2021) described urban green commons such as allotment areas as urban diversity hotspots. Private gardens show similar characteristics in that they usually have a diversity of species meaning that the private gardens support the ecological systems in the park.

Plan detail

0 100 200 m

A A Section A-A Park meeting buildings. Height difference defines the boarder between public and private

The common / green arena

The park offers a green room for visiting, passing trough or staying. The football field gives the possibilitie to play or sit and watch.

Legend

Open grass fiels Tall grass Private Yard meadow Flower bed Stream Public building/ school Sports-hall Car street Pedestrian / bike street Playground

THE GREEN SPINE | Area Four

The fourth lie next to a larger sports complex and holds importance for activity and recreation.

While the added natural elements are mostly focused on strengthening the ecological ecosystem services some of them add to the cultural services and focus on the ones promoting physical health and mental well-being. In the fourth area, Kvillestråket is mainly meeting public functions. In the south, the buildings are even further back from the path giving space for an outdoor gym and dog park.

The park is crossed by a motorized road connecting eastern and western areas. From here the path is showing up with a high betweenness in the analyze highlighting its importance as a green biking and pedestrian route leading people to the sports complex.

The greenery offers fewer places to stay and instead of strengthening the already existing green structures while being allowed to grow wilder. The stream is a bit disconnected from the path making it melt into the more ecological side. This also creates a differentiation between the different par areas while mowing along Kvillestråket. The detailed picture shows the separation between the housing and Kvillestråket. Also, how the park is meeting a bigger road and that the outdoor gym is separated from it with a row of bushes.

Plan detail

0 100 200 m

The common / green arena

The sports complex allows different kinds of activities. Sports require an open field, an indoor hall, tennis courts, and beach volleyball fields. The outdoor gym and dog park also offer a space for activity and social interaction.

The place is also given for just walking or simply being a spectator to the activities.

Legend

Open grass fiels Tall grass Private Yard Flower bed Stream Sports-hall Car street Pedestrian / bike street

THE GREEN SPINE | Area Five

The fifth area is the furthest north and connects to Hökälla nature reserve. It is located between a golf course and a busy road.

It holds an ecological value and the focus has been on the ecological ecosystem services along with some supporting. The calm area allows space for different species and existing habitats have been strengthened. The last area connects to Hökällan nature reserve and goes through an area that was previously part of a golf course, that is still intact on the west side. The golf course offers less biodiversity compared to the private gardens, but the area still has its ecological values keeping the deciduous tree habitat and becoming a new settlement for Knölnaten. The main path is going straight through the area along the golf course while some smaller curvier paths allow people to stroll on the ecological side where ponds with Knölnaten are located.

Trees and bushes have been added along the eastern border where the park meets a railway and a bigger road, isolating it a bit from the surroundings.

In the south, a pedestrian path is going across the railway connecting the two sides and leading people onto the path and towards the south. The same situation exists in the north, where also a car road is crossing. This can be seen in the detailed image where also the existing villas are shown as well as different paths.

Plan detail

0 100 200 m

Rich in species

The pleasure garden / the playful

The ecological east side of the stream is a calm space secluded from the more urban south. Since it is allowed to be winder and has ponds in addition to the stream it gives the opportunity for more species to thrive.

Legend

Open grass fiels Tall grass Private Yard Golf course Stream Car street Pedestrian / bike street

THE GREEN SPINE | Connections

Placed at the middle of the masterplan area, the green spine is crossed by many streets connecting the east and west side, leading into surrounding areas as well. It holds importance as a connector but also as a social place. The left image shows the roads having the highest betweenness going along and through Kvillebäcken.

It also functions as many inhabitants closest park and reduces the distance between green spaces. The right image shows important green connection points, tying both green routes and different habitats together

REFERENCES

Ahlström Isacson, H., Sjösten Harlin, F., Stenkula, U. (2021). Ekosystemtjänster: En verktygslåda 1.0. White Research Lab & Stiftelsen ARQ

Boverket (14 July 2021a). Typer av ekosystemtjänster. https:// www.boverket.se/sv/samhallsplanering/sa-planeras-sverige/ planeringsfragor/ekosystemtjanster/olika-typer-av-ekosystemtjanster/ Hämtad 2021-11-29

Boverket (27 October 2021b) Gör grönska till en naturlig del av staden. https://www.boverket.se/sv/samhallsplanering/saplaneras-sverige/planeringsfragor/ekosystemtjanster/ (Hämtad 2021-11-29)

Boverket (14 July 2021c). Reglering av buller. https://www. boverket.se/sv/PBL-kunskapsbanken/teman/ekosystemtjanster/verktyg/rakna/buller/ Hämtad 2021-11-25.

Boverket (28 Mars 2019). Luftrening. https://www.boverket. se/sv/PBL-kunskapsbanken/teman/ekosystemtjanster/verktyg/rakna/luftrening/ Hämtad 2021-11-19.

Colding, J. (2021). Resilience through institutional design. [PowerPoint-presentation]. Slideshare.

Göteborg stad (2018) Göteborgs Stads åtgärdsprogram mot buller 2019–2023. https://goteborg.se/wps/wcm/connect/ aa94c45e-81a5-4518-a338-d042491ad612/G%C3%B6t eborgs+stads+%C3%A5tg%C3%A4rdsprogram+mot+bull er+2019-2023.pdf?MOD=AJPERES Ignatieva, M. (2017). En Handbok: Alternativ till gräsmatta i Sverige från teori till. Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet

Johansson, A. K., Kollberg, S., Bergström, K. (2009). Grönområden för flera: en vägledning för bedömning av närhet och attraktivitet för bättre hälsa. Statens Folkhälsoinstitutut

Naturvårdsverket (n.y.). Luftföroreningar och dess effekter. https://www.naturvardsverket.se/amnesomraden/luft/luftfororeningar-och-dess-effekter/ Hämtad 2021-11-25.

Nilsson. E., Gustafson. L. (2011) Handlingsplan för knölnate, Potamogeton trichoides, i Göteborgs Stad. (Rapport 2012:2). Park- och naturförvaltningen i Göteborg https://goteborg.se/wps/ wcm/connect/f5fbd2c2-f428-484a-8d15-073b6f82a10d/ Handlingsplan_for_knolnate_webb.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&fb clid=IwAR1VIYLXMIPsVj0TWsg9Td8vG-u7UUiYVdmcDW3cOFKvJEPSbvEV3vskW00

Images:

The New Division/Boverket. (2019) Ekosystemtjänster [Illustation] https://www.boverket.se/sv/samhallsplanering/sa-planeras-sverige/planeringsfragor/ekosystemtjanster/grafiskt-material-ekosystemtjanster/ (2021-12-11)

Voekler, T. (2008) Potamogeton trichoides [Photo] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potamogeton_trichoides.jpg#/ media/File:Potamogeton_trichoides.jpg (2021-12-11)