2001-June 6-8 MILU - Iiinstitute.nl

1. CONTEXT
The following is a list of current conditions as conveyed to the MILU working party:
General
• The valley as a history of being a developed industrial area and consists of 6
boroughs.
• The valley’s daytime population is around 135,000 (note: Oslo’s pop. Is 500,000).
• The valley has a residential population of 5,000 inhabitants, 25% of which are
immigrants.
• In the context of Norway’s exiting population distribution, the valley is practically a
city.
• The valley is considered to be a low-income haven with corresponding social
problems.
• The increasing average age of the general population requires rethinking of the
existing social and public amenities as well as the organization of land uses (i.e.
the inability to drive directly to homes is becoming important - is this a current or
anticipated problem?).
• The valley experiences an inversion layer during cold spells causing retained
periods of poor air quality.
• Current ambient noise levels are considered a problem.
Land Use
• The valley contains several old residential neighborhoods.
• There is not much variation in housing types (i.e. not many opportunities for
upgrades in typology).
• There are some residential high-rise blocks from 1970’s.
• Some prevailing Le Corbusier architectural precedents are not considered good.
• The valley is a major goods distribution center for Oslo. These distribution
functions are strategic in their current location, which is in proximity to the city
center and harbor.
• The valley contains 13-14 commercial centers (some are regional).
Transportation
• The valley has been experiencing steady increases in vehicular traffic.
• Several road and rail regional transportation corridors run through the valley.
• 50% of all traffic volume is internally generated within the valley.
2. PREVAILING ISSUES
(As interpreted from responses to working party questions)
• Need for better communication systems.
• Need for better infrastructure.
• Need for “Green Structures” (environmentally sensitive developments).
• Need to revive the river to restore its use as a continuous regional connection to
the Oslo Fjord.
18.