Walks+Talks: Oslo Science City

Oslo Science City

Blue Green infrastructures in Oslo Science City The Oslo Science City – encompassing the University of Oslo and Oslo Science Park and more – is transected by Gaustadbekken. Parts of this historical stream has recently been re-opened and is a part of the Oslo Municipality’s ambitious urban storm water strategy. In this strategy de-culverting and re-vitalizing urban streams is one of the nature-based solutions used to manage storm water and floods in the city. We will take you on a walk to along Gaustadbekken and visit the landscape architectural and artistic solutions that are implemented. The walk will end in the Sogn Allotment garden where the municipality with partners have established “a demonstration laboratory” featuring green roofs, rain barrels, rain gardens, a wadi and a constructed pocket wetland as part of resolving local stormwater challenges.

Gaustadbekken by Blindern Subway

Currently and over the recent years, substantial efforts are put into daylighting the Gaustadbekken stream and creating blue-green structures in the area. We will introduce you to the Gaustadbekken valley and Oslo Science City area and present some of the background and current status of Gaustadbekken. Gaustadbekken is yet still also a polluted river running in pipes underground. You will hear about the major pressures on Gaustadbekken, the resulting environmental effects and why it is important to re-open the stream, which is today highly affected by physical alterations and runoff from roads, sewage and impermeable surfaces.

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Gaustadbekken south

The ‘Gaustadbekken Syd’ river daylighting project at Oslo Science Park is part of the Oslo municipality's reopening of Gaustadbekken and is part of the municipality's goal of reopening closed rivers in order to deal with climate change and make Oslo an attractive, blue-green city. The project was completed in 2017. You will see and hear about use of sustainable and native materials and plants and how the project focused on IFLA COMMON GROUND Blue Green infrastructures in Oslo Science City and Gaustadbekkdalen, creating an area that is both urban and active with walking, cycling paths, meeting places, fitness park, bicycle parking, ornate concrete wall with living moss art as a trial project against tagging.

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Outside Ole-Johan Dahls hus

The informatics building of University of Oslo (Ole-Johan Dahls hus, Ifi2) in the Gaustadbekken valley was opened in 2011. Total area of the building is about 28 250 m2, housing about 300 office spaces and 2400 student places and with a surrounding park area of 23 000 m2. In front of the building on the east/southeast side, the Gaustadbekken river course has been reopened and a dam and blue-green areas with social spaces, walking and biking paths established. You will hear about the process and the first steps in making room for Gaustadbekken to be reopened and part of the urban landscape again.

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The new life science building (UIO) area

February 2019 the building of the new life science building of University of Oslo started. The building aims to be the heart of Oslo Life Science City, where extensive interdisciplinary cooperation will contribute to solving major challenges in related to health and the environment. As part of the development of the building and the area, extensive plans for blue-green structures will be implemented; another key part of the Gaustadbekken will be daylighted and connected to the established projects downstream. The work is planned to be finalized in 2024. You will observe the work in progress and learn about the plans, process and considerations.

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Vestgrensa

The Gaustadbekken catchment has over the last century changed from agrarian farmlands to a semi-urban built-up area. In this process, the perceptions of the water course changed along with deteriorating water quality. From being considered part of picturesque natural landscapes at the outskirts of the city, the river by time turned into a menace to its neighbours, and from the 1960s it was gradually put in pipes. Changes in public perceptions and policies came with renewed interest in Oslo’s historical water courses from the 1980s, by time facilitating the partial return of Gaustadbekken we are witnessing today. Using an environmental history approach, aspects of this history will be presented through maps, pictures and text.

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Sogn allotment garden

{{#coordinates:59.946873|10.727903|name=Sogn allotment garden} In the Sogn Allotment garden, the municipality, the allotment gardeners and research institutes are working together to establish a learning and demonstration arena “Sogn Hagelab” for blue-green solutions to stormwater. You will see the blue-green structures as well as experience the beautiful allotment garden with its 204 parcels, cabins and white picket fences. A light lunch snack will be served, and you get to taste some of what’s grown in the garden. Stormwater management might have been an engineering issue in the past, but not anymore; with open blue-green solutions, many disciplines and perspectives must come together. In a mini workshop, we will engage you in a conversation on the topic of multi-purpose stormwater management and design.

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IFLA World Congress 2019 will take a closer look at urban transformation, green mobility, healthy and beautiful landscapes and community participation. During three days in Oslo, we aim to inspire, challenge and intrigue you. We want you to share and reflect on the knowledge that is developed, presented and discussed.

Join us in moving one step further to understand and protect our COMMON GROUND.

This article is part of IFLA Common Grounds: Walk+Talk.

You can view all Walks+Talks tours here

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