FOJAB architects in giant urban transformation project

FOJAB arkitekter has been selected as architects for the Centralen area in Gothenburg. The assignment also includes a design program for Nils Ericsonplatsen, Kanalgatan and Kanaltorget. The project, which is part of the larger Vision Älvstaden, will be characterized by openness and meetings - with the water, between old and new, city life and the surrounding countryside.

- "This is a gigantic urban transformation that is beginning in the center of Gothenburg," says landscape architect Magdalena Hedman, responsible for the project at FOJAB arkitekter. It is about transforming central areas that are currently characterized by large-scale traffic solutions into places for attractive urban life. We already have a framework agreement with the City of Gothenburg for planning architect services. Now we have been selected as design architects with coordination responsibility for the urban development program for the entire Centralen area.

The urban development program was produced by the City of Gothenburg in May 2014. It has gradually resulted in a plan structure that allows for 500,000 square meters of businesses and 2,000 new homes. Major infrastructure projects worth SEK 30-40 billion will be implemented over the next 15-20 years and will have a positive impact on the Central Area. The most important of these is the West Link, which will lead train traffic in a tunnel from Gothenburg Central Station, which is currently a bag station, to the other side of the city.

This also means that the car traffic that currently passes Göteborgs C will be diverted and cross the tracks at the back via the new Bangårdsviaduct. This leaves the field free to create new attractive urban spaces for people and public transport on the front side, towards Nils Ericsonplatsen and Drottningtorget.

- FOJAB arkitekter received the assignment in October and the work will continue until January 2016 with the possibility of an extension, says Magdalena Hedman. "We got it in competition, where it was seen that we have the potential to take on the task with higher expertise and quality than other bidders. Fortunately, this is a forward-looking procurement where quality was ranked higher than price.

- The project is about planning at different scales and design in a complex metropolitan context, and we have been able to show several good reference projects. It will create conditions for mixed functions in a fine-meshed urban structure with pedestrians and cyclists at the center. Good urban life in high quality urban spaces and access to greenery and water is what we will focus on," says Magdalena Hedman.