SN: a recent post about similar proposed construction in the Toronto, Ontario metropolitan area discussed the ‘city within a city’ concept - True mixed used space for living, working, and providing destination attractions, including ample green space - as a mechanism to reclaim underutilized space in fast growing urban areas. The added bonus in the architects’ plan is the use of “carbon positive towers constructed from renewable materials that promote a healthy microclimate and sustainable lifestyle”. Could we see similar developments inside the US in the near future? Perhaps a tech heavy city with housing and mixed use challenges such as San Francisco or Seattle? Perhaps the recent reemergence of rust belt towns such as Detroit or Pittsburgh could present intriguing destinations for urban planners and architects alike. Find the right combination of high housing demand, transit strains, and visionary city leaders, and the next SprawlNation post could feature an American entry. Please share if you are aware of such an existing or planned project.
This sustainable district in Sweden features carbon-positive towers
Located between the commercial center of Sickla köpkvarter and the district of Hammarby Sjöstad, Nacka Port is ripe for redevelopment with its turn-of-the-century industrial buildings and backdrop of greenery. Furthermore, the site is located at the intersection of two main traffic routes. The architects designed the new urban block, named “Klinten,” as a “city within a city”.
Two proposed towers feature terraced levels that step down to a shared podium and anchor the site and will have communal and private terraces dressed in greenery. In addition to residences, the mixed-use development includes a market, restaurants, a bike-cafe, coworking spaces, a hotel and gym, artist studios, workshops and other communal facilities. “The block is designed to generate local urban life, where one feels at home with the freedom to take personal initiatives, where residents are encouraged to use the outdoor environment for co-creation or just meet and socialize. The core of the Nacka Port concept focuses on creating a positive vision of the future needs of both humans and our planet,” the architects said.
To engage users from multiple directions, the team surrounded the site with attractive green space and strategically located the buildings to maximize sight lines from the surroundings.