När tågen slutat gå
förvandling av övergiven räls till publikt promenad- och parkstråk
Övergivna rälsområdenPromenad- och parkstråkRälsstråkGröna korridorerPostindustriell arkitekturHigh LinePromenade PlantéeSchöneberger Südgelände
Abandoned and unused railway structures often possess
great potential if they are reclaimed and reused for new
purposes. The thesis focuses on the global trend of
restoring and revitalizing these areas, converting them
into park areas, rail trails and green corridors in the city
landscape, while preserving their ecological, social, esthetic and historic values.
These rail areas were often abandoned when industries
moved out from the cities, either to industrial areas or
abroad. The use of railways for transporting industrial
goods was also replaced to a large extent my motorized
road vehicles in the mid 20th century, leaving the rails
under-utilized. Because of their location and intrinsic
values, they can be reused for important functions, such
as green areas in the city environment, providing space for
recreational activities and exercise and social meetings and
interactions.
I have closely investigated the three park areas High Line in New York, Promenade Plantée in Paris and Schöneberger
Südgelände in Berlin, which have all gone through this
transformation in recent years. I have summarized my
conclusions in three key concepts to consider: design for
social values, preserve the architectural history, and leave
room for future evolution.
The final part of my work is a design program for an
abandoned railways area in Stockholm: Eriksdal railway
area. I picked this area since it has aspects of all the values mentioned above, and it has especially received
attention for the citizens? initiative to use the area for urban gardening, art projects, night club activities, and more. The architectural environment is also interesting, with it?s unused industrial structures, monumental bridges, and wild wastelands.
The main concepts in the design program is therefore:
preserve structures, urban gardening for all, and flexible
spaces. The conclusion is that a conscious reclaiming of
railway areas can lead the city into the future while
preserving the historical values!