Fagerstrand - Europan 16

Fagerstrand is a fragmented coastal suburb, characterised by a disused industrial site, a lack of places for socialising, and a dangerous road junction, but with the potential to become a new hub along the Oslo fjord.

Due to changes in the economy, nature has reclaimed the abandoned remnants of the oil age and turned them into woodland cathedrals and nesting sites for birds. These green pockets now form a no man’s land between different areas earmarked for future development. Here, the municipality is looking for an innovative plan that can link the areas together to make Fagerstrand feel like one place, on nature’s terms. 

Fagerstrand is designated for urban densification as a connected part of the Oslo metropolitan area. Two large development sites, one on the seafront and the other in the forest, are divided by a green corridor that stretches through the area where the centre will be located. Fagerstrand’s identity is closely tied to its intimate relationship to the sea and to the forest. How can this identity be retained as the place is transformed and intensified with urban qualities?

This site invites entrants to challenge conventions about what being central and urban entail. The municipality asks entrants to question how ecological processes and the built environment may help to reduce social inequalities and create a vibrant place to live for humans and non-humans alike.

Development should strengthen the bonds between humans and nature, humans and history, humans and other humans, and humans and places. When developing a coherent centre and linking various development sites together, we are looking to use architecture as a tool to explore how ecological processes and urban development can help to reduce social inequalities and create a viable, sustainable centre for humans and nature alike.

Fagerstrand is one of two priority growth areas in Nesodden municipality, and it will accommodate 35% of the municipality’s future population growth. When planning Fagerstrand's physical development, the need for both short-term and long-term growth must be considered.

We want to bring nature into the heart of the community.

We want to find new ways of thinking about how to invite nature in, to reunite people and their lives with the countryside around them.

Urban development must follow the shape of the landscape and improve our coexistence with nature, which we are a part of and need. Green corridors rich in biodiversity should be used to strengthen the links between the countryside, forest and fjord, and make us feel closer to them. The development process shall provide spaces for a wide variety of local species of fauna and flora, protect birdlife,  and attract pollinating insects.

Fagerstrand is an urban area in a rural setting, and this quality shall be kept while at the same time creating urban qualities and facilities. It shall be developed on nature’s terms and in a way that prioritises human well-being and lives. 

Entrants are asked to produce a complete concept for how to develop and link together the two big development sites, Centre and Seaside. These sites are Fagerstrands two most significant development projects and the ones that will define its future.

Within the study site, entrants can also propose and suggest ways of connecting the rest of the settlement’s existing and potential future built-up areas. The brief includes devising strategies and tools for Fagerstrands longer-term development. 

Entrants shall explore the strategic planning options for Fagerstrand by proposing transport links, land use and functions. The detailed design of individual buildings and functions is not a priority.

Climate change is creating new, uncertain parameters for modern urban development. The entries shall show how Fagerstrand can become more resilient to future climate change. They shall also explore how these changes can be a resource and contribute to positive development.

Currently, the centre and the shoreline feel like two separate, unconnected areas. In the future, they should feel like a single area. The planning concept must physically do more than merely link the two areas; it must aspire to improve public health, reduce social inequalities, and promote biodiversity. The areas must complement one another, meet day-to-day needs, and increase residents’ access to services and provide places to meet and socialise. 

Both areas show signs of human development and intervention, as well as forests and coastal topography. The road that crosses the project site is a large barrier, both physically and how it is experienced. The natural connection between forest and green areas are also broken.

The industrial areas closest to the fjord has been an important part of Nesodden’s industrial history. The physical structures within the site do not have any formal heritage listing but convey important identity and history. 

By participating in Europan, Fagerstrand hopes to lay the foundations for its future development. The municipality wishes to set out a shared vision for Fagerstrands development, but the format for this has not yet been decided. A good working relationship has been established between the municipality and the landowners within the project boundary. 

Future collaboration between the winning team and the municipality and/or the landowners is desirable. Planning processes and placemaking has a long horizon of time and requires research and assessments. The winning team may be important contributors to this work in all phases of planning and development.

The landowners are motivated and keen on the processes to start. They have participated in site visits, meetings, discussions, and have also contributed to this program's writing. It is of utmost importance that the competition entries are innovative but must be able to be implemented and completed. 

We hope many participants in Europan are motivated and exciting by the task here at Fagerstrand. We wish the entrants the best of luck and look forward to seeing inspiring and visionary competition entries!

Explore more of the site by downloading the site brief here:

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