STATUS
IDEA
Anchored in the City of Oslo’s “2019 Strategy for the Development of the Knowledge Capital”, the new 1.4 million m2 Oslo Science City seeks to create a physical framework for Norway’s innovation environment of estimated 150,000 scientists, students, entrepreneurs, and contribute to the country’s transition to renewable energy.
Oslo Science City located in central Oslo, is currently home to approximately 300 start-up companies, 7,500 researchers, 10,000 hospital employees and 30,000 students. The yearlong feasibility study to add 1.4 million m2 is the first step towards creating the physical framework for an innovation district in the country to accommodate Oslo regions growth estimated to 22% by 2045.
A PLATFORM WHERE KNOWLEDGE AND BUSINESS LIFE MEET
WORLD-LEADING KNOWLEDGE
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT
OPEN AND INCLUSIVE
UNIQUE IDENTITY
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL & KEY POINTS
— Oslo Science City is an area of 167 ha in close proximity of central Oslo. Currently hailed as Norway's most knowledge-intensive area, we have identified key points of interest, potentials and plots for the development of a world-leading innovation district.
EXISTING AXES
— By analysing the existing city structure we have identified two independent axes running from Blindern station to the wilder nature of Marka, and from the strong classic lines of the university area down toward Frogner and further towards the fjord.
CONNECT VIA TRANSPORT HUBS
— In a single gesture, we connect Gaustadalleen and Blindernaksen via the strenghtened transport hubs, creating the Loop that links the existing campus area at Blindern to new development potentials, across barriers created by the metro and over towards Nedre Gaustad.
THE LOOP
— The Loop connects new and historic public spaces, buildings and public attractors in a string of pearls through a strong urban design. The Loop will provide a visible identity for the innovation district, and act as an epicenter that the innovation district can grow from.
CONNECT TO THE ENTIRE AREA
— By pulling the visible identity and urban design from the Loop out as arms connecting to the key points of interest within Oslo Science City, we tie the entire area together.
GREEN BELT IN 2045
— The green belt is a key element of the concept that stretches from the fjord through the formal sculpture landscape of Frognerparken and up through Oslo Science City towards the mountains and Nordmarka. The green belt is being gradually developed and ties together the central area. A series of secondary corridors and hiking trails connect the belt throughout the whole innovation district.
ADDED MASS IN 2045
— To reach the goal of a vital and world-leading innovation district a string of factors need to be successful: a critical mass development, urban life and a mix of programs to ensure everyday needs within walking distance. By 2045 we envision adding 1.4 million m2 to the area, with focus on building additions, reuse and renovations.
MOBILITY 2045
— OSC aims to reduce car traffic by 2045, prioritizing people first-streets and shifting from a street network based on car traffic to soft mobility. A transportation system that reduces the need to own a car by providing safe, convenient, connected, affordable options, and encourages new mobilities, bike-share, e-bike, e-vehicles, autonomous busses and shared mobility.
“Our design for Oslo Science City seeks to strengthen and develop the existing communities and neighborhoods while expanding the area’s diversity through new spaces to live, work and share knowledge. To manifest the identity of Oslo Science City, the elements of the master plan are tied together in a continuous loop of welcoming multifunctional buildings and spaces that open out towards the streets and create an engaging urban environment.”
The plan identifies four thematic areas to position Oslo Science City as a leading center for innovation, knowledge-based value creation and sustainable solutions based on existing and future activities: Health and Life Sciences, incl. Norway’s largest Life Sciences building for research and teaching to be completed by 2026 and an expansion of Oslo Cancer Cluster. Climate, Energy and Environment, establishing a campus and a power center for research and innovation between the country’s leading research institute SINTEF, The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), the Norwegian Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) amongst others. Digitalization and Computational Science, fostering collaborations between organizations such as the Department of Informatics (IFI) at the University of Oslo, The Norwegian Computing Center (NR), NORA – Norwegian Artificial Intelligence Research Consortium, which explores artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics, and many others; and Democracy and Inclusion where new knowledge will be developed about the threats and solutions to strengthen democracy, the role of democratic institutions in a time of technological disruption, increased economic inequality and anti-democratic forces.
The objective of Oslo Science City is to significantly strengthen innovation power in Oslo and Norway, through ensuring a close and efficient interaction between motivated students and excellent researchers, dynamic start-up communities, knowledge-based business and industry, a future-oriented public sector and competent capital.
Oslo Science City aspires to be a good example of a holistic approach to planning, where efficient land use and densification go hand in hand with increasing the amount of biomass in the area. Environmentally friendly buildings, climate adaptation with the help of nature-based solutions, incl. a new green and densely vegetated corridor through OSC, extensive tree planting throughout the entire neighborhood, emission-free mobility, energy efficiency and circular principles will characterize all development in Oslo Science City.
“In Oslo science City we seek to create meeting spaces both outdoor and indoor, between scientists, students, visitors and residents. The loop connects the area and create a string of meetings, and innovation hubs that are key in creating meeting areas. The innovation hubs should be part of the urban strategy and act both as urban connector, contain urban qualities and knowledge sharing. The loop and its elements solve physical barriers and create meeting spots, integrating the nature as well as linking the area to mobility in and out of Oslo Science City,”
Bjarke Ingels David Zahle Camille Breuil Kamilla Heskje Laura Wätte Paula Madrid Vladislav Saprunenko Xiaochang Qiu Jenna Hukkinen Eirini Karamfyllidou
COLLABORATORS
Team A-Lab
Comte Bureau
Civitas & Menon
