Oslo Urban Week 2024 kicked off with a bang at Telegrafen, right in the heart of the city. Nordic Office of Architecture, also a finalist for the "City Developer of the Decade" award, hosted a panel debate titled “Kvadraturens Tålegrense,” drew a full house and sparked lively discussions about the future of Oslo’s historic Kvadraturen district.

A Call for Bold Changes

On the opening day, Nordic kickstarted the public discussion on the future of Kvadraturen with an engaging debate, moderated by Senior Architect Line Hellum. In his opening, Partner Knut Hovland presented a series of provocative ideas that questioned whether a “controlled burn” approach might be necessary to rejuvenate the area. Hovland’s bold suggestions, including relocating Nicolai Tangen and Norges Bank to Økern to make room for more residents, were met with both intrigue and debate. He emphasized that Kvadraturen needs more people to thrive, pointing out that the area’s pulse fades after working hours.

International Perspectives

Adding an international flavor to the discussion, Camilla Richter-Friis van Deurs from Nordic Office of Architecture Denmark emphasized the urgency of action. “Just do it - get started! A city that isn’t developing is declining,” she urged, drawing on her experiences as a former city architect in Copenhagen. She highlighted how cities like Barcelona, Melbourne, and Copenhagen have successfully balanced modernization with preservation, often completing such projects in less than 18 months, compared to the prolonged processes in Oslo.

Panel Insights

The debate, where Carina Holm Thorvaldsen from Oslo’s Planning and Building Agency and Cecilie Martinsen, CEO of Selvaag Eiendom AS joined the panel, provided diverse perspectives on urban development. The panel members discussed the challenges and opportunities in creating a vibrant, socially sustainable neighborhood while respecting historical preservation. The lack of a unified vision and action plan among preservation authorities, property owners, and politicians was a recurring theme.

A Vision for the Future

The discussions at Oslo Urban Week highlighted a critical point: the need for a cohesive vision that prioritizes the city’s residents over rigid preservation requirements. As noted by Nazneen Khan-Østrem in her comment in Aftenposten, the dream of a lively Kvadraturen is within reach, but it requires bold, coordinated efforts. Projects like the upcoming Sadelmakerbryggen near Oslo Børs, which will feature parks, offices, and shops, offer hope for bringing more life to the area.

City Developer of the Decade

On the very same day as the opening and panel debate, Nordic had the pleasure to battle with other Oslo-firms on the prestigious title "City Developer of the Decade". Although not winning the trophy, pur contribution did not go unnoticed.

All agreed that as we and our architect and urban developer colleagues set our eyes on the rest of Oslo Urban Week 2024, the opening day clearly set the stage for meaningful dialogue and action. The event at Telegrafen showcased the passion and commitment of urban developers, architects, and city planners to transform Kvadraturen into a dynamic and sustainable part of Oslo.

The message is clear: it’s time to move forward and embrace the future of urban development.