Architect
Thorbjörn Andersson and PeGe Hillinge,
Sweco Architects, Stockholm
Type of Area
Bay
Land/water interaction
Riprap
Promenade
Terraces/steps
Built Environment Types
Highly Built with Low Green
Scale of Impact
District/Neighbourhood
City
Regional
Intervention Scale (Spatial)
Large Site
Project Types
Seafront Development
Outdoor Recreation
Public Space Regeneration
Urban/ Rural
Inner Urban Area
Visibility and Openness
Fully Open
Full Horizon
Beyond Concrete and Waves
Malmö, the third-largest city in Sweden, is a city with a rich history. However, the most remarkable transformations can be witnessed in the Bo01 district. Bo01 emerged from a polluted industrial estate/port to become a symbol of sustainable urban renewal.
One of Bo01 distinguished areas is Dania Park, which overlooks the Øresund Strait and lies in front of the iconic Turning Torso building. With a strategic location, and positioning along the Øresund Strait, Dania Park is an ideal space for enjoying spectacular views and picturesque surroundings.
The design of Dania Park is centralised around the sea as a focal point and its association with the seascape and the surrounding landscape. It deploys robust materials, namely concrete and wood, to give the park a solid feel. When viewed from the street, it appears as an extension of the rocky shoreline
Covering an area of approximately 20,000 square meters along a 280-meter shoreline, the park’s straight, direct lines mimic the horizon. The design emphasises panoramic views of the sea, openness, and the rocky shoreline’s robustness. The main vivid elements of the park include:
- The Scouts: Three tilted concrete planes that imitate the adjacent shoreline and provide access to the sea. They are composed of wide concrete slabs/stairs that lead to wooden platforms, ensuring a smooth transition from land to sea.
- The Bastion: A 40 by 40 meter flat platform elevated 6 meters above sea level. It offers a unique vantage point to experience the diverse weather conditions, from sunny summers to stormy autumns.
- The Balconies: Three wooden boxes that overlook a vast grass meadow known as the Lawn, providing a calm spot for relaxation. The vegetation in the site is composed mainly of salt-resistant shrubs that vary in their colours and textures, with few trees.
Dania Park is inclusive of various social activities at the water’s edge, offering spaces of different sizes and qualities. From the implicit, intimate Scouts to the explicit, multi-use lawn, it accommodates a wide range of users.
The contrast between the soft textures of plants and the robust textures of constructions creates a harmonious balance. Seating options are carefully designed to complement their locations within the site, with lean and curvy seats near the vegetated section, and straight and robust ones near the artificial/constructed elements.
Finally, adding a touch of romance to the park, the Malmo Titanic Lovelock Point features a ship-bow-shaped balcony on the Bastion, where lovers can leave locked tokens of their affection, making the site a Mecca for romantic souls.
Perception and Meaning
Place Identity
Sense of Place
Imageability
Health and Wellbeing
Restorativeness
Increased Physical Activities
Place Affordance
Interaction with Water
Visual
Tactile – fully in water
The park is easily reached by public transportation users, with a bus stop just a ten-minute walk away; it is also accessible for bike and car users. Therefore it scores highly on accessibility.
Dania Park is generally accessible to various user groups with steps, ramps, decks, and a promenade, however some areas may be challenging and/or inaccessible for wheelchair users due to a lack of infrastructure; such as the Scouts with their wide stairs that lead directly to the water. Therefore, inclusive accessibility is low.
The park includes safety features such as safety railings, lifebelts, and adequate lighting and so overall the safe and secure aspect is high, the lack of railings for wheelchair users, however, reduces its score. Litter bins are also provided for a clean and pleasant environment.
As this development increases access to the sea, it improves the connectivity to the water and the access, so overall water connection is high.