Fredericia C - Temporary park

Location: Fredericia
Client: Fredericia C P/S
Team: Stig L. Andersson, Katrine Sandstrøm, Rasmus Astrup, Sabine Kjærsgaard, Augusta Prorok, Suzie Prest
Design phase: 2009-2010
Realisation: 2010
Area: 14 ha

Throughout the 20th century, Fredericia’s harbour was dominated by heavy industry. This is now starting to change. In 2004, one of the harbour’s most prominent plants, Kemira Grow-How, ended operations and demolition began. Realdania (a foundation working to improve the built environment) bought the Kemira site in June 2008, together with other sites along the harbour. Realdania and the city of Fredericia have since formed FredericiaC P/S in a joint venture to regenerate the harbour area.

Since the summer of 2009 a part of the harbour has been opened to the public, and has been used for everything from picnics and fishing to events such as concerts, theatre and vintage car shows. As of spring 2010, the Kemira site is completely cleared, and construction work for the temporary area project is now underway. The project is to be established in phases, first scheduled in July, August and September 2010. The trees in the area was planted during the planting season the following autumn.

The idea behind the project is to establish a robust framework, which can subsequently be allocated different functions. The design of the framework is based on historical maps of the area. The expression is raw and simple, as it should be easy to build and remove the temporary arrangement as the new urban area takes shape.

The framework consists of various temporary pavings and spatial elements which will create great opportunities for a range of different activities regarding 'health and exercise'. The included elements are based on the citizen participation process which has already taken place. Spaces have also been left within the framework so that these can be filled in over time as new needs and wishes arise.

Over time, the space should appear as a process of constant change. The physical development plan for the harbour area is a process which will continue long after the programmed area is completed. Users will have the opportunity to innovate the area by adding new activities, and removing the ones which don’t work so well. The area’s gradual transformation from 'tabula rasa' to an area rich in amenity value, will define new locations and functions which will offer both resistance and inspiration to the future urban development.