Oslo Harbour Promenade

Eight strategies were proposed with the aim of augmenting the links between the city and fjord, improving the quality of the site and creating a promenade filled with memorable experiences. Design principles were developed on the basis of human needs, such as creating movement, activity, play, rest and places to meet; helping to enhance social engagement and experience.

The long-term planning process should be based on the unique qualities of each of the distinct waterfront districts. For this reason, the use of a ‘testbeds’ approach can be adopted for the immediate mobilisation of the harbour promenade project. Testbeds are a platform for the rapid experimentation and evaluation of urban solutions on a particular site, investigating how people use space. They function as a tool for both prototyping and engagement; a co-design initiative intended to empower people to shape the future of their built environment. The city and public can eventually implement and use the resulting design solutions generated by testbed initiatives in a more permanent way.