Sweden was among the pioneers of the Modern Movement in Architecture and Town Planning of the 1950s and 60s. Several urban areas were built or redeveloped under this banner among which are the iconic Vällingby and Farsta. However, although many of the resultant modern urban areas in Sweden are still flourishing with ever increasing property values, there has been criticisms from various quarters, about the quality of the areas.
As such, planning and design of recent new urban areas in Sweden have tended to move away from the Modernist approach to emerging alternative urban design and planning models, among which is the New Urbanist Model. The latter borrows from the past and advocates for among others less priority to vehicular traffic; walkability; affordable housing; new classical, post-modern and vernacular urban spatial forms; historic preservation; creation of jobs; and universal accessibility to public urban spaces. New Urbanism has sometimes been labelled eclectic and even nostalgic.
Currently at advanced stages of construction in north-west of Stockholm, Sweden, is what looks like a New Urbanist urban area called Barkarby New Town, also referred to as Barkarby City in some quarters, and Barkarbystaden in Swedish. When fully built, the new town is expected to accommodate about 10 000 households in blocks of flats, terrace houses and detached houses that are being built by private property developers.
We have reviewed some relevant documents about the planning and design of the new town, and visited the site on May 1, 2018, and as such, we have the following to say about it.
We observed both positive and negative aspects. We will begin with observed positive aspects.
First, the new town is very well linked to the regional road network and particularly the regional public bus transport system, as well as the national road system by the E18 motorway. An approved extension of the Stockholm's metro system from Akalla to the new city and the nearby old township of Barkarby will reinforce further the linkage of the city. The proposed system of pedestrian ways that link with public facilities like schools and transport stations, neighboring urban areas, and natural enclaves like parks, have enhanced the efficiency and convenience of the new town. The town will also be linked to a regional tram line under construction, and is in close proximity to the commuter rail station.
Second, the compact form of the bulk of the residential part of the town, that is effected through the adoption of the urban block concept, creates a strong sense of place and urbanity as well as optimization of the residential land use. The urban blocks also consist of well defined inner courtyards that are likely to be well furnished and contribute to enhancement of social life and privacy of the city's inhabitants. Furthermore, urban blocks have facilitated the creation of ample sidewalks that are treated as parts of the blocks. Finally, the urban blocks which consist of rental and owner occupied flats, have enhanced social integration and inclusiveness.
Third, use of contemporary building materials and variety of colours as well as street landscaping, have contributed a great deal to the beauty of the new town.
Fourth, the new town's main square, known locally as Stora torget, is very well furnished. Treatment elements include some ample seating places, a fountain with some artistic copper sculptures, landscaping trees, modern lamp posts and lamps, and smooth floor paved with slabs. The square is attractive to users, especially during daytime, with sitting, talking, children playing, and passing through as main activities. The utilization level of the square is likely to increase significantly when the construction of the new town is completed.
Fifth, involvement of different property developers in implementing the new town's local plan was a great idea that led to great spatial outcome. In the residential area in particularly, involvement of different property developers in the development of different urban blocks facilitated spatial identity, variety, complexity, and beauty hence the overall spatial quality of the area.
About negative aspects of the new town, we observed the following.
First, the spatial organisation of the various types of commercial outlets in the new town has a poor spatial relationship with the residential area. For example, the mega super store ICA MAXI and DIY mega store Claes Ohlson have their backs against the residential area with their main entrances to the core of the commercial area. A minor entrance of ICA MAXI to the residential area is rather inconspicuous, hence difficult to find. Also, large restaurants like Burger King, Pizza Hut and McDonald's are located fairly far away from the residential part of the new town. It was possible to organize some of the above commercial outlets so that they were in close proximity to the residential area with their main entrances facing the main square, Stora torget, and a significant spatial connector for the residential and commercial areas. Currently, the square is bounded by a large gym and some low key restaurants and shops. We think that this weakness of the city is a result of some weaknesses in the development control machinery of Järfälla Municipality. The latter seems to have coordinated unsatisfactorily the actions of the commercial and residential property developers.
Second, the design of the new town's main square i.e. Stora torget leaves much to be desired. It consists of a two lane thoroughfare on it's western side, visible here in the review photo, with two adjacent one lane roads, that allow excessive vehicular through traffic into the square. Unnecessary on street parking areas are also provided along the adjacent one lane roads. However, we must point out that the above shortcoming of the square can still be easily rectified.
Third, the planning and design of the commercial part of the city, give priority to vehicular traffic. The core of the area, which should have been mainly pedestrian space, is instead an extensive car parking area. It is very difficult for pedestrians to move around from one commercial outlet to another, due to parked or moving vehicles.
Overall, the new town shows that it is possible to instil walkability and the established big city's charm and character into newly created urban areas. That would have been made even better in Barkarby New Town if the commercial part was properly knitted to the residential area.
Above is a video about this article. Take a look!
_____________________
All photos from 2018 by JK Freelance Images. Video including other empirical data by JK Freelance Productions for Jacob Kimaryo Consultancy. Descriptive content by the latter..
More information about urban design and planning of Barkarby New Town and other urban development projects in Stockholm can be obtained through e-mailing: kimaryoconsult@gmail.com
______________________
© 2015 - 2019 Jacob Kimaryo Consultancy. All Rights Reserved
Comentários