Place / Lugar: Halmstad, Sweeden
Date / Fecha: 2019
Use / Uso: transport, residential, public space
Surface / Superficie: strategic site 180 ha, project site 14 ha
Author / Autor: José Ignacio Rejas
ACTIVE / ATTRACTIVE
1. MULTICONNECTION
One of the main goals is facing the city not just towards the east side, but also the west side. This is key in order to get a city as a whole. Not a single area should be felt apart from this transformation.
There are already plans to develop certain areas of the west side. These could be good contributions to make this part of the city more appealing. But what is more important is connecting them. Connections are key, and nature can play that role in Halmstad. Nature is in everyone’s mind when thinking about Halmstad, but it has not that presence inside the city.
Nature can hep to develop Halmstad growth in a more sustainable way and at the same time to improve citizens quality of life.
The creation of the park, the household buildings, the offices, the cultural spaces and the sports venues will attract more activities to the area. This new attractive zone will change the perception of the neighbourhood and the west side of the city. New productive activities will be surely needed.
Connecting Nature
The strategy consists of three parts. Keeping the existing masses of vegetation, creating new ones and connecting some of them.
The two main areas proposed to be created are the station-park (in the project site) and the park by the west side of the river Nissan (in the strategic site).
The station-park is a huge land of trees, lawns, meadows and bushes. But also it will be filled with sport and cultural activities.
The park by the river is a true linear park, visually and physically connected along its entire extension. The two sides of the river will be connected by three more bridges, one mainly for pedestrian use and the other two for both pedestrian and bicycle use.
These two parks are as well connected to each other and to others by a net of green areas. There are three main green connectors: 1. The “old station park”. A big area in front of the present train station. The building will become a cultural reference point. Its importance will be redefined. 2. The park along the railways. At the south of the station park a linear park will be added. Just by the railways, forming a slope to avoid the views towards them. It will connect to the southern beaches, creating a green corridor. In the future this corridor should link to the eastern coastline. 3. The park along Lahomsvägen. This action consists of redesigning the avenue. More space for pedestrians and vegetation. One lane less for cars, using other ways, not going throw the city centre. The main use of the avenue will be for public transport and bikes.
2.THE FIELD OF POSSIBILITIES
Nature can be the link to connect everything, but the biggest attraction point of the west side (and the entire city) is going to be the Travel Centre. And that is because it won’t be just a transportation hub, it will be a field of activities. It will attract visitors, tourists and locals.
No longer a barrier
The present railway situation creates a barrier in all the possible directions. The formation of a park above the railways solves not only this problem, but also generates a free pass between north, south, east and west. It is no longer perceived as a barrier, but as a pleasant place to be and enjoy.
Landscape strategy
Parks, squares, paths, resting zones, small trees areas, slopes, lawn and meadows represent the base of the landscape strategy. A variety of actions to create diversity leading to a rich space for everyone to enjoy it differently. In addition to this, the whole intervention is filled with activities. There are spaces for sports, shows, film projections, bars, cafes, benches and viewpoints.
Bicycle and car parking requirements
The requirement of bicycle parking is solved. There are five different parking areas for bikes, all of them covered. Two of them by the accesses to the Travel Centre (main and south), one by the old station building and the station street, one under the office buildings and the last one under the household buildings. The required car park is relocated under the households buildings at the north of the park.
Household and offices program
As it has already been said, households and offices are proposed along the project. These buildings appear to increase this diversity of activities.
3.STATION PARK
The Travel Centre is the most important issue within the project. The proposal develops around the hub.
The idea is to create a main access where all the transportation needs and a secondary access where a complementary underpass to the platforms is located.
At the main access we have the main lobby, lockers, personnel spaces, the bikes parking, shops, the ticket office, a waiting room for the bus station, WC’s, escalators to the park and a car drop off area. Above the main access and the park there is the main Travel Centre building, where we have a conference centre, administration offices, an exhibition space, a restaurant and a hotel. A the top of the building there is a sky garden with views over the city.
The south access has also a lobby, lockers, a waiting room, personnel spaces, WC’s and escalators to the park.
The access by car, bus, train, bike or foot is separated and meet the main access. The two Travel Centre buildings are set to be a landmark for the area and the city.
