Walks+Talks: Aker River
Aker River
Akerselva - The Aker river - is the river that powered the industrial revolution that elevated Oslo from a sleepy, renaissance capital of a small country in Europe`s outskirts to a vibrant industrial city at the turn of the 19th century. During WW 1 the young country prospered, and the City Council made the brave decision in 1915 to develop a linear riverpark along the shores of The Aker, truly inspired by Olmsted`s Emerald Necklace in Boston. The strategy clear, the visible improvements slow, and the first stretch not completed until 1937.
The Aker Heritage Park was developed as a collaboration between the City of Oslo and the Ministry of Environment from 1986-1991. An action plan for cultural development within the riverpark has nourished moving of educational, cultural and entertainment facilities into the park: Oslo Academy of Fine Arts, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Norwegian Business School, a new high school, national centre for Dance and art galleries.
Sagene church
The Aker has been a strategic project on developing green urban structure for more than 100 years. During the last 25 years an intensive process on transformation of former industrial grounds with a rich social and physical heritage has been implemetied
Myraløkka
Sagene renewal area
From the early 80ies the former worker`s housing of Sagene were carefully renewed by an area spesific renewal company. The public park Myraløkka was improved with new tree planting during the early 90ies. Myren Verksted mechanical works mixed reuse from mid 90ies.
Beierbrua
Industrial renewal
Textile mills reused for offices and services in the early 80ies. Ringnes Brewery converted to housing/mixed use with 700 housing units 2006.
KHIO/AHO
Institutional reuse of industrial premises
Oslo National Academy of Arts (2003-2010) and Oslo School of Architecture and Design (2001) moved to The Aker as part of a national strategy for improving the attractivity of the area.
Vulkan/Nedre Foss
Improving the water quality of the river
Nedre Foss is where the improvement of water quality of the river is manifest and a fish ladder is established to take salmon upstream. The former iron bridge factory Vulkan is successfully converted (2010) to mixed use (housing, food market, offices, hotels, sports hall and theatres). Nedre Foss is a 1700 manor, reused as restaurant with new public park (2016) and a grain silo converted to student housing (2001).
Ankerbrua
The starting project of Aker Heritage Park
The park development of the Aker started in the 1930ies, first stretch completed 1937. The National centre for arhitecture and design DOGA moved to H 16 former trafo in 2004.
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