Ekologisk kompensation - Att balansera stad och natur : ett gestaltningsförslag

Abstract: In Uppsala, Sweden, there is a proposal for a new in-depth comprehensive plan (fördjupad översiktsplan) for southeastern Uppsala that proposes a new train station, a dense development of approximately 21,500 new homes and 10,000–15,000 new jobs. The project area is located in a place with valuable nature, from both an ecological and recreational point of view. When the plan is developed, a large area of forest will be lost. This amounts to a great ecological loss and something that this thesis compensates for in the design of a green wedge proposed the in-depth comprehensive plan. The main goal for this thesis is to answer the research question of how a green wedge in a new urban environment can be designed to compensate for an ecological loss, while simultaneously meeting people’s need of a public space. In order to answer the research question, this thesis has also explored which species and habitats that will disappear or be negatively affected as a consequence of the in-depth comprehensive plan. The thesis also explored how current knowledge about compensation can be applied to the wedge in southeastern Uppsala and what those who use the project area enjoy about the site today. These questions were answered in a design proposal based on several different methods, primarily a case study. The case study used the methods quantitative and qualitative site analysis as well as a survey study to answer the research question. Qualitative text analysis was also used for the case study and in the literature review where information about, among other things, ecological compensation was collected. Verbal sources and principles for the design are also mentioned in the method chapter to make the thesis as transparent as possible. Based on the results within the case study and the literature review, a design proposal was created for the wedge. A major problem that the design intended to solve was how to combine high ecological values with the functional needs of a public place. The main solution to this is to design separate spaces that are social, and spaces that are natural. These surfaces are described as formal and informal. The formal surfaces were primarily pathways but also included a larger social surface made out of wood on the west side of the preexisting pond in the center of the wedge. A wooden promenade was also created along the eastern side of the pond to make the park accessible to people with disabilities, among other things. The informal areas are forest or nature areas surrounding the formal areas. The forest or nature areas are where the ecological compensation is applied. To compensate for the loss of nature, measures to restore, create new nature, manage and adapt the use of nature and to protect nature from future exploitation was taken. This thesis will hopefully inspire others to apply similar solutions to other projects, to promote high values for both people and nature.