Plan from Stockholm’s municipality
It looks strange, but it's expected to come across neglected areas that seem out of place. It's almost as if someone played Tetris with the cityscape, leaving gaps where vital pieces should be. These spots are noticeable and can disrupt the flow of the city.
The Neglected Plot in Bromma
While exploring the city, I stumbled upon an empty area in Bromma that exemplifies a critical problem. Although the land is part of Stockholm's municipality, it has yet to be considered in any new municipality plans. The land may remain an open grassy area where dogs can play or be converted into a parking lot extension.
Rethinking Urban Design
The space has the potential to be transformed into a more lively and beneficial area suitable for dense urban surroundings. Instead of barren grass, smaller designs such as a dog park, an outdoor gym, or a peaceful seating area encircled by flowerbeds can be created. It can bring more life to the area. The project located next to Bällsta Bridge showcases urban development possibilities.
Barren grass is horrible
In many cities, you've seen spots with empty grass that don't do much. People might say, "Our neighborhood has a lot of green space." But if we don't use these places, they can turn into dry, burnt lawns in the summer or muddy spots in the fall. Even grass doesn’t want to hang out there anymore.
What this chunk appeared like back in June
People who don't care about their environment sometimes treat these unused green spaces like trash cans.
Picture of trash heap on a green patch near Fridhemsplan metro station
And in some cases, when there are a lot of ignored shrubs and bushes, it can even attract bad stuff like illegal activities.
Possible purpose
Are you aware that urban design projects often overlook the valuable input that citizens can provide on specific plots? Let's change that! I like this method, so I asked people following my Instagram account, irenas3rdplace, what we should do with the space.
My audience mostly liked the idea of having green beds, a tree with a swing, a ping pong table, a graffiti wall, and seating. Some people were concerned about the noise from the tramway, so I had the idea to add a noise barrier. A friend, a water and climate change specialist, suggested having green roofs and other stormwater solutions for water-delaying and cleaning, which is a fantastic idea for an area next to a canal. Here is what the Instagram post looked like with extra ideas:
Involving the community
The input inspired me to make an urban design intervention that beautifies the area and has a positive environmental impact.
Green Beds with Water Delay and Cleaning
Instead of bare grass, we can plant green beds of various drought-resistant plants, such as native flowers, shrubs, and ground cover. I would choose an evergreen variety of the most plants. It is much nicer to have greenery all year round, avoiding the depressing phase in spring while we wait patiently for greenery to come alive. After all, this is Scandinavia. We don’t see most vegetation alive for almost half of the year. These plants will not only look beautiful but could also help with water delay. Water delay means that when it rains, the soil in these green beds can absorb and hold the rainwater for a while. It can reduce the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas where water tends to run off quickly.
Tree with Swing Area
We can plant a sturdy tree in one corner of the green space where children and adults can play on a swing with time.
Water fountain and gazebo
There aren't many water fountains in Stockholm, which shouldn’t be a trend. Public fountains are accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. They promote inclusivity by offering a basic necessity for free. Staying hydrated is super important, especially if you're out for a run or taking your dog for a long walk. There is even a gazebo in case of rain. You can still use the space in rainy conditions!
Ping Pong and Seating Area
Alongside the green beds, we can set up a ping pong table with seating nearby. Ping pong is an excellent sport for small spaces and socializing. The seating areas can be surrounded by flowerbeds, creating a pleasant, relaxing environment.
Graffiti Wall
Being under a tram pass isn't attractive, but let's make the most of it. The tramway can be insulated with a noise barrier. The wall can be a canvas for local graffiti artists to showcase their work. Updating the art can add vibrancy to the area. The graffiti is taken from a fantastic street artist, Lunar who is based in Croatia.
Bike Parking
Let’s not forget about our dear people who want to come here by bike and ensure proper bike parking here. What's great bike parking? Read it in my previous blog post.
This urban design intervention provides recreational and social spaces. It contributes to the environment by managing rainwater and promoting the growth of greenery. It's a win-win for the community. It would foster a sense of belonging to the neighborhood while positively impacting the environment.
What next?
The next step involves further community engagement. How about spreading the word about the proposed design by distributing pamphlets in the neighborhood? It could be a great way to get some valuable feedback and involve the community in the process. What do you think? I believe having more community input improves design adjustments to meet preferences.
I am interested in contacting Stockholm's Municipality to inquire about their plans for the area. Can we put in place a similar design to the one they have in mind? Renovating the neglected space in Bromma could bring about a remarkable transformation. It would have a positive impact on the city's appearance and would promote community spirit.
Do you have any other ideas that I may have missed? Or, do you know of a similar area in your neighborhood that could use a similar facelift? Please share your thoughts with me in the comment section so that I can provide more comprehensive feedback to the municipality and make plans for future projects.