When the trains have stopped running : transformation of abandoned railway to public park

摘要

Abandoned and unused railway structures often possessudgreat potential if they are reclaimed and reused for newudpurposes. The thesis focuses on the global trend ofudrestoring and revitalizing these areas, converting themudinto park areas, rail trails and green corridors in the cityudlandscape, while preserving their ecological, social, esthetic and historic values.ududThese rail areas were often abandoned when industriesudmoved out from the cities, either to industrial areas orudabroad. The use of railways for transporting industrialudgoods was also replaced to a large extent my motorizedudroad vehicles in the mid 20th century, leaving the railsudunder-utilized. Because of their location and intrinsicudvalues, they can be reused for important functions, suchudas green areas in the city environment, providing space forudrecreational activities and exercise and social meetings andudinteractions.ududI have closely investigated the three park areas High Line in New York, Promenade Plantée in Paris and SchönebergerudSüdgelände in Berlin, which have all gone through thisudtransformation in recent years. I have summarized myudconclusions in three key concepts to consider: design forudsocial values, preserve the architectural history, and leaveudroom for future evolution.ududThe final part of my work is a design program for anudabandoned railways area in Stockholm: Eriksdal railwayudarea. I picked this area since it has aspects of all the values mentioned above, and it has especially receivedudattention for the citizens’ initiative to use the area for urban gardening, art projects, night club activities, and more. The architectural environment is also interesting, with it’s unused industrial structures, monumental bridges, and wild wastelands.ududThe main concepts in the design program is therefore:udpreserve structures, urban gardening for all, and flexibleudspaces. The conclusion is that a conscious reclaiming ofudrailway areas can lead the city into the future whileudpreserving the historical values!