KOKKEDAL CLIMATE ADAPTATION (KOKKEDAL, DENMARK)
The challenge of the project was to develop a climate adaption which also could promote an improved urban life: connect fragmented urban areas, create attractive meeting points, and bring nature closer to the residents in the housing blocks. The park covers an area of 60 ha in the North of Sealand, which suffered from severe flooding by the Usserød river.
Whereas rainwater formerly was hidden underground in pipelines, it is now managed on the surface, making it possible to follow its course from the smaller basins on to the soakaways and trenches, until it finally reaches the large basins and Usserød River. All the water is led through cleansing elements such as rainwater beds and basins. The basins have a capacity of retaining a 5-year occurrence but rainfalls larger than this can still be managed without any severe damage occurring.
Climate Adaption Kokkedal consists of thirty-five individual projects, each offering recreational activities. This dual function has been central to the project. A garden space has for example been created which functions as green retainment basins and the local sports field has been walled in by a grass clad earth mound ensuring that stormwater can be held back. There are other gardens, activity areas, exercise paths, nature playgrounds and areas which can be used for educational purposes. One space is shaped as a bowl, which at night time is filled with projected images of flowering poppies
Design: Schønherr Landscape Architects
Photo: Carsten Ingemann