Future Cities

 I just found a very good video about Future Cities. 'Everybody is talking about future cities Today/.../. Cities are the closest way, that human came to, in playing God. We can create our own universe by taking all resources by building enormous structures.' - That's how Andreas Gyllenhammar represents his lecture in TEDx about Future Cities.
  Andreas Gyllenhammar is a Chief Sustainability Officer at Sweco. He is responsible for coordinating and developing company's sustainable services in Sweden.'In the past year Andreas Gyllenhammar has alternated his job as a consultant at Sweco in Östersund, Sweden with a role as environmental and climate strategist at Sweco. He holds a master's degree in environmental and water engineering and wrote his thesis on environmental analysis.'(http://www.swecogroup.com/en/sweco-group/Press/News/2011/Andreas-Gyllenhammar-is-Swecos-Chief-Sustainability-Officer/). More about him here.

Here is the video about Future Sustainable Cities. Enjoy!

Magic Lights in the Northern City

There is nothing more beautiful than a city in Christmastime. All Christmas lights create such a magic atmosphere in the city.Especially in the evening time. Even though Christmas has passed I still don’twant this feeling to go. Here are couple of magic moments from wintery Stokholm– a real Northern Prince. I can bet the government has put a lot of money onthe city decorations! That's why they keep the lights until now:)

Cheers!

New Malmo

Last autumn, 2011 I had an opportunity to visit Västra Hamnen area in Malmo, Sweden. What is so special about this district? - You may ask. It is extraordinary because this district is very sustainable: all newest technologies are used in the district; also it is different because the priority in this district is given to pedestrians and cyclists. Inhabitants are encouraged to leave cars outside the district area.

The Västra Hamnen started it’s development in 2001. First there was a small district built for housing exhibition with an idea to create people friendly district with the medieval city planning and low buildings. Also the area uses locally renewable energy sources. More information about area you can find in here.

The combination of pavement materials

Details

Difference of materials

Low houses, extra space for summer activities

There is also a space for birds houses:)

Storage

Higher buildings creates small walking corridors

Entrance

Colorful houses somehow is a modern interpretation of medieval city

You cannot forget water and greenery in the living area

Garden

Playground

 

My opinion about this district is only very good. The main difference between  Västra Hamnen and Jakriborg is the architecture of houses.  Västra Hamnen is charming because of it small and stylish living houses, when Jakriborg is just a copy of historical city. However, you cannot compare the prices of property between these two areas: houses in Västra Hamnen are much more expensive. Still who is going to argue with the classical phrase, that design needs victims:)

If you have plans to visit Malmo, definitely visit this area, even you aren’t an architect!

Cheers!

Jakriborg – a City of New Urbanism

I want to write about the new way of designing a city. Usually it is called New Urbanism. New Urbanism – what is it? Urban designers claim that cities designed this way are the best for people: Streets are narrow, houses are small, and all is suited only for pedestrians. The plan of the city is based on medieval planning. Strictly – NO CARS ARE ALLOWED in that kind of area. Usually parking is designed outside the city.

One of the successful examples of medieval planning cities is small district in Sweden, between Malmo and Lund, called Jakriborg. According to Wikipedia this small town was established by two Swedish guys Jan Berggren and Krister Berggren.  The plan of the city and the style of houses are very medieval.  This town is actually very popular among property buyers. I think it is because the flats are quite cheap and cozy.

Medieval wall...

Somebody has a good sense of humour:)

 

Personally I have visited this place on November, 2011. The real view actually was different from what I saw in the photos. First of all the houses seemed too high for me. They are like an enlarged version of original medieval buildings. Actually the design of buildings is even not medieval; it is a mixture of classical styles. Well the plan of the city is really very nice and very comfortable for the pedestrians, but I didn’t like the design of the houses. I think the historical buildings we should leave in the past and start with the new design. The example of medieval planning and modern houses combination is very well made in Malmo. The district first was designed for housing exhibition Bo01 but more about it in the next post:)

See you*