Karlavägen in Östermalm in Stockholm, is a dual carriageway street, with a very wide central reservation. The latter has been designed and developed into a vibrant liveable open space. We will call the open space, Karlavägen central open space. The road begins at it's junction with Engelbrektsgatan and ends at it's junction with Oxenstiernsgatan.
Karlavägen central open space is characterized by a middle pedestrian walkway that bisects it, resulting in two soft grassy side parts. The latter consist of some peripheral landscaping trees in a linear format, some seating places, and some small sculptures. The walkway comprises of compacted earth surface with fine sand finish. At junctions, the open space converts to a hard space with smooth surface consisting of sand and cement slabs, ample seating places, bicycle parking places, and some planting beds. The hard spaces create important breaks in what would have been a monotonous long earth walkway. They also provide linkage between the open space and the sides of Karlavägen. Lamp posts and lamps with classic design, are provided along the sides of the walkway and hard spaces.
The open space is divided into two parts by Karlaplan, a circular plaza resulting from a large roundabout at the point where Karlavägen meets Narvavägen. The plaza is characterized by a large circular fountain with a peripheral walkway, along which ample seating benches are situated. The plaza is linked to the surrounding areas by some short walkways that radiate from the main circular walkway. This nodal point of the open space links it to a metro station and a taxi stand.
We find Karlavägen central open space very interesting. It provides a very good example of how central reservations of dual carriageways can be made useful through appropriate urban space treatment. It could particularly, provide some inspiration for urban design of new settlements worldwide.
The video above is about the unique open space. Take a look!
_____________________
All photos in the video were taken in 2016 by JK Freelance Images
Video by JK Freelance Productions
Article by Jacob Kimaryo Consultancy
More about urban design in Stockholm region can be obtained through e-mailing: kimaryoconsult@gmail.com
______________________
© 2015 - 2019 Jacob Kimaryo Consultancy. All Rights Reserved
Comments