The challenge of the project was to develop a climate adaption which also could promote an improved urban life: connect the fragmented urban areas, create new attractive meeting points and overall bring nature closer to the residents.
Climate Adaption Kokkedal covers an area of 60 ha in the North of Sealand. The area, which contains two large subsidised housing associations, borders Usserød river and consequently suffered a severe flooding around 2011.
The Kokkedal project contains an extensive catalogue of solutions for climate adaption and water methods. Whereas rainwater formerly was hidden underground in pipelines, the rainwater management is now made visible in a way, offering new recreational urban possibilities. The residents already ascertain that the project has improved the sense of security as planned. The new recreational areas are popular and have driven out the shifty activities which used to dominate the area. Rainwater is retained in basins and volumes which have a capacity of retaining a 5 year occurrence. Rainfalls larger than this can still be managed without any serious damage occurring.
The rainwater is managed in a system on the surface, making it possible to follow its course from the smaller basins on to the soakaways and trenches, until it finally reaches the large basins and Usserød River. All the water is led through cleansing elements such as rainwater beds and basins.
Climate Adaption Kokkedal consists of 35 individual projects, each contributing recreational activities to the residents of the area. This dual function has been central to the project. A garden space has for example been created which functions as green retainment basins and the local sports field has been walled in by a grass clad earth mound ensuring that large amounts of stormwater can be held back. The project consists of gardens, activity areas, exercise paths, nature playgrounds and areas which can be used for educational purposes. The artist Eva Koch has furthermore created a space shaped as a large bowl which at night time is filled with projected images of flowering poppies.
In November 2017, the project received DANVA and Realdania’s Climate Award for creating a project which serves as an inspiration for all future climate adaption projects.
Role of the office in the project: Landscape architect: Schønherr
Engineer: Ramboll
Contractor: Ebbe Dalsgaard a/s, P. Malmos a/s, Hededanmark a/s
Project location: 61 ha urban area including the river valley, the town center, Egedalsvænge, Byengen, Nordengen, Skovengen and Engen
Design year: 2012-2016
Year Built: 2016-2017
Award: Danva og Realdanias Klimapris 2017 (Danva and Realdania’s Climate Award 2017).
Shortlisted for WAF 2018.
