How do we move from successful individual projects to systemic change, where nature becomes a fundamental premise for urban development?

Oslotrær and Oslo Architecture Triennale invite you to a day of professional input, open discussions, table-based work and excursions. We will look at measures, initiatives and projects that have made more room for nature and replaced asphalt and other hard surfaces with blue-green, nature-based solutions.

The examples are drawn from streets and urban spaces, schoolyards, housing cooperatives, commercial buildings and business districts. Together, we will explore what works, and what needs to change in planning and financing.

PROGRAMME

The professional programme starts at 09.00. Doors open at 08.00, and coffee will be ready. Feel free to come earlier and join Today’s Preachment: “Inspired by Nature” from 08.15–08.40.

Patrick Bellan from Malmö will talk about the city as an ecosystem and what we can learn from nature. Read more here!

09.00 – PART 1: What if Oslo made more room for trees, water and urban nature?

Welcome – Oslotrær and Oslo Architecture Triennale open the day.

A visit to Malmö

Patrick Bellan on trees as part of the urban system, and on climate, regulation, land use and political will.

Questions from the audience

What will it take to put trees and urban nature first?

Planning with water

Examples from Oslo of reopening streams as a driver of urban development, planning for cloudbursts, and using stormwater management as a starting point for greener streets.

With contributions from the Agency for Water and Wastewater Services, the Planning and Building Agency, the Agency for Urban Environment and Asplan Viak.

BREAK 10.35–10.50: Stretch your legs and refill your cup

10.50 – PART 2: What will it take to put trees and urban nature first?

Short introduction

Urban nature as infrastructure

E.C. Forfang from SLA shows how urban nature can become infrastructure and a premise for decision-making. What can we learn from projects such as Sankt Kjelds Plads in Copenhagen?

Nature-based solutions in practice

Iwan Thomson from Lala Tøyen presents an example of how nature-based solutions can be developed and implemented.

From individual projects to systemic change

A panel discussion on why successful nature-based projects are still the exception, and what we can learn from projects that have succeeded.

What does the industry need in order to deliver nature-based urban development at a larger scale?

With Anne Cecilie Oterkjær from OBOS Block Watne, Inga Potter from the Planning and Building Agency, E.C. Forfang from SLA and Iwan Thomson from Lala Tøyen.

The conversation is moderated by Nuno Almeida, AHO.

BREAK 12.00–12.40: Lunch and exhibition

We will serve a warm lunch from Mamas Mat. During the break, you can explore the exhibition “What if Nature Comes First?”, on display throughout Sofienberg Church.

PART 3: International perspectives

An international perspective

Armelle Breuil from ACAN talks about Paris and how the city is making more room for nature.

First! Not what if – but how

Franziska Meisel from Henning Larsen explores what happens when nature is no longer something we add to a project, but instead becomes its starting point.

Through projects from Singapore to Oslo, she shows how landscapes, water systems and ecological connections can define the framework for development before mobility, programme and buildings, and how nature can shift from being a consideration to becoming a premise for urban development.

Third Nature – pioneers in nature-based urban development

Ole Schrøder from Danish practice Third Nature shares insights from the studio’s pioneering work developing nature-based solutions that connect landscape, climate adaptation and urban development.

Putting nature first

Franziska Meisel from Henning Larsen, Ole Schrøder from Third Nature, Line Ramstad from Oslo Architecture Triennale and Patrick Bellan from Malmö explore how nature can become a genuine premise for projects and decision-making.

The conversation is moderated by Halfrid Hagemoen, Oslotrær.

Questions from the audience

BREAK 14.20–14.25: Stretch your legs and find a seat at the tables

14.25 – We have the knowledge, but how do we make it happen here in Oslo and Norway?

We continue the conversation and invite participants to an open discussion about who makes the decisions, who pays, who gives up space, and who is responsible for management and maintenance.

Participants continue working with questions and challenges raised during the day’s presentations and discussions.

15.00 – Summary of the day

What have we learned?

Three selected participants share reflections and observations from the day. Patrick Bellan will also be invited to offer a concluding perspective on Oslo and possible recommendations for the way forward.

Introduction to the excursions

Presentation of the three routes and the questions each group will take with them.

BREAK 15.20 – Find your excursion group

15.30 – Three parallel excursions

1. Asphalt and water

A walk through Sofienberg and Københavngata. Where can hard surfaces make more room for nature, trees, stormwater management and places to stay?

2. From hard surfaces to green streets

How can we transform grey street space into blue-green connections and urban nature?

3. Everyday nature and the park as everyone’s garden

A walk through Sofienberg Park with the Agency for Urban Environment.

Who is the green city for, and what does putting nature first mean for the use of parks, community life and everyday urban life?

16.15 – Apple juice and mingling

16.30 – End of programme

After the excursions, you are welcome to stay for a conversation and explore the exhibition in Sofienberg Church.

At 17.30, Europan Norway invites you to a lecture and reflection around the question: What happens to an architecture competition when nature is allowed to define the premises? Join us in challenging this year’s Europan briefs before they are officially launched. Sign up here

Contributors:

With contributions from Patrick Bellan, SLA, Lala Tøyen, Third Nature, Armelle Breuil from ACAN, Franziska Meisel from Henning Larsen, AHO, OBOS Block Watne, Oslotrær, Oslo Architecture Triennale, and representatives from the Agency for Urban Environment, the Planning and Building Agency and the Agency for Water and Wastewater Services.

More contributors will be announced on an ongoing basis.

Registration is not mandatory, but it helps us estimate the number of participants and make sure there is enough food.

You are also very welcome to drop by and take part in selected parts of the programme.