Walks+Talks: Hovin District

A post-industrial walk through the urban transformation district of Hovin and along the revitalized Hovin stream, reconnecting forest and fjord. This walk will focus on the transformation of the Hovin district (Hovinbyen) with water as the central element. The hidden stream Hovinbekken is being reopened on its way through the city, gradually connecting different parts of the town and ultimately connecting the forest with the fjord. Hovinbekken is approximately 8 km long and originates in the forest that surrounds Oslo. From the late 19th century until the 1960s, the stream was gradually hidden, at first to hide pollution and later to expand the city and make way for new infrastructure and housing. The walk will start with an overview of the district before we continue downstream and look more closely at different projects that have been realized or are under construction. We will focus especially on how reopening a stream can go hand in hand with city transformation and stormwater management, combining climate resilience, recreation, and ecological functions.

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Hovinbyen Grand view - Bymiljøetaten

We meet at the Agency for Environment (Bymiljøetaten) to enjoy a morning cup of coffee on its rooftop terrace and the great view over the Hovin stream and the Hovin district (Hovinbyen). Here, we will meet the planners responsible for the ‘Master Plan for Hovinbyen’, a district that is currently being transformed into a vibrant and verdant urban hub connected to rest of the city by the Hovin stream.

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Teglverksdammen

Teglverksdammen is a large-scale biological cleaning system for the stream Hovinbekken as well as a spectacular and beautiful recreational space. Hovinbekken passes under a large road system, so in order to provide clean water when de-culverting the stream, a large-scale open-air biological cleaning system was built. The 600-meter long system consists of three dams and connecting streams where sediments settle and the water is filtered through rocks and vegetation.

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Tiedemannsparken

We walk downstream to Tiedemannsparken which is the main park in Ensjø. This is a rapidly transforming urban district which used to be dominated by cars. Here, we will discuss transformation of city centres and the role of green spaces and water in delivering a liveable city. We will also discuss and show details of the stream reopening project as well as stormwater management.

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Stålverksparken

This is a small and intimate park with a reflecting water surface, established in a residential area. The pond is framed by a wooden square, benches, trees, and flowers. The creek on the site has a drop of 5 m which gives rise to waterfalls and the sound of falling water. Stålverksparken’s identity stems from the steelwork halls that were established in the area almost 100 years ago. Details made of weathering steel (COR-TEN steel) tells us about the industrial history of this area.

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Gladengveien

From Stålverksparken, Hovinbekken flows to the urban street Gladengveien and follows the road 400 m south towards Ensjø square. The basement for the stream is a 4 m wide concrete duct filled with stone, earth, and plants which allows the establishment of a nature-like creek. Seating facilities can be found along the sidewalk with stairs leading down to the stream. The subtle sound from the stream helps to curb traffic noise and makes it more attractive to stay, exercise, and rest along the city street.

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Ensjø torg

Ending the Reopened Stream

Ensjø Square (Ensjø torg) is a new public square that will be finished in October 2019. It will mark the point where the open stream in Hovinbyen ends. This square will be the most important central public space in Ensjø with a large water surface as the main element. As of now, Hovinbekken continues its flow from Ensjø torg toward the Oslo fjord in culverts. But there are new projects for reopening the stream through Jordal and Klosterenga Park, so that the stream will soon be revealed and enrich this part of the city as well.