Bringing coastal life back to the city: Grønlikaia’s vision for the future
The coastal life is invited back to the city! The planning proposal for Grønlikaia has finally been submitted to the Planning and Building Agency, and we are proud to have contributed to rewilding the future fjord city of Oslo’s East End on nature’s terms. In our part of the district, the Buffer Zone, we have created a park where life thrives both above and below water, featuring a cultural and activity center open to everyone, regardless of purchasing power.
A Vision for Ecological and Social Harmony
By taking the Oslofjord’s need for ecological restoration seriously, we aim to offer the population a coastal neighborhood that can serve as a model for transforming urban areas in ecological and social harmony with the fjord. Gone are the sharp quay edges; we now want softer landscapes where we can wade in seaweed, collect periwinkles, and skip stones, even in Oslo’s inner fjord basin!
Innovative Design and Sustainable Materials
We are proud to have contributed to the illustration project for the Buffer Zone, consisting of an 8,000 sqm cultural and activity center with functions that bring together both the neighborhood and the entire population of Oslo. The buildings will be based on a modular system with robust reused materials that can be built up and down, organized around a climate-controlled atrium garden open during the day. Here, functions, edge zones, urban floors, and coastal parks are woven together to create space for urban life, with room for exchange, reuse, and knowledge sharing based on principles of social and ecological sustainability.
A Collaborative Effort
The Buffer Zone at Grønlikaia is part of a larger transformation project for the former container port, aiming to reconnect the citizens of central and eastern neighborhoods with the waterside. This project, led by Norconsult in collaboration with Urbaniq, emphasizes sustainable solutions and the restoration of marine life in the Oslofjord. The development includes public and private spaces such as marketplaces and cultural venues, designed to create a vibrant new neighborhood.
Future-Proofing Urban Development
The project also focuses on creating better ecological conditions, contributing to the much-needed restoration of marine life in the Oslofjord. By using contemporary timber structures and recycled building elements, the development aims to be a test case for sustainable urban development. The integration of natural elements and the emphasis on ecological restoration make Grønlikaia a pioneering project in urban sustainability.
