Award / Auszeichnung | 04/2014
2014 European Prize for Urban Public Space
Baanan ympäristösuunnitelma / Baana Environmental plan for pedestrian / bicycle route
Lobende Erwähnung
Landschaftsarchitektur
Projektdaten
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Gebäudetyp:
Landschaft und Freiraum
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Projektgröße:
keine Angabe
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Status:
Realisiert
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Termine:
Baubeginn: 01/2010
Fertigstellung: 01/2013
Projektbeschreibung
Landscape architects: LOCI Landscape Architects Ltd (LOCI maisema-arkkitehdit Oy)
/ Krista Muurinen, Pia Kuusiniemi, Leena Buller, Liisa Dahlqvist
Art: Janne Siltanen
Lighting design: Ramboll Finland Oy /Juha Hälikkä
Contractor: Helsinki City Public Works Department
Structural engineering: Sito Oy/ Jarmo Koivisto, Design of the pedestrian and cycle path and infrastructure: Ramboll Finland Oy / Helmer Berndtson, Tero Varonen, Structural engineering: Ramboll Finland Oy / Sami Noponen
In summer 2012 a new pedestrian and bicycle corridor, Baana opened in the heart of Helsinki along a stretch of disused railway line. The 1.3-kilometre canyon-like route connects the city centre to a newly developed residential district by the West Harbour.
The railway line between Töölönlahti and Jätkäsaari was originally built in 1894 along what were then the fringes of the city. The railway line had to be quarried out of the massive granite bedrock, creating a man-made canyon that was spanned by several bridges as the city expanded. When cargo operations at the West Harbour were moved out of the city in 2008, the railway line was made available for other uses.
The City of Helsinki decided to use the railway line temporarily as a pedestrian and bicycle corridor. The goal from the start was to develop it into an attractive uptown-downtown and cross-town route for pe-destrians and cyclists that would connect different city districts. Baana is indeed both a functional and recreational corridor that is connected to the upper street level by numerous ramps and steps. Since its inauguration in summer 2012, Baana has clearly satisfied a strong demand, as it is used by several thou-sands of pedestrians and cyclists each day.
The implementation of Baana has highlighted the urban image with respect to the history of the old har-bour railway line without overlooking functionality for pedestrians and cyclists or the quality expectations regarding contemporary public spaces. The aim of the design was to reinforce local characteristics by combining both historical and modern aspects. Baana has been kept simple and straightforward. To achieve a uniform appearance, the guiding principle was to retain the rugged appearance and dark shades of the railway line. The original structures and materials have been utilised in the design as much as possi-ble.
Baana is divided into four parts, each with its own unique characteristic. The first section of Baana is the stretch between the Parliament House and its extension. The character of this area has been highlighted by selecting the same kind of black granite for the surface material of the new structures lining Baana as was used for the original wall structures.
The next section is narrow and deep and similar to the original railway line. The aim was to create an over-all impression that is as clear and uniform in colour as possible. Most of the vegetation grows along a nar-row edge at the top on the street level, where the aim was to maintain the wild look of the plants.
In the third section the corridor widens and the paths fork to form an intersection. The canyon-like feel of the space has diminished where the surface had to be raised for safety and drainage purposes. To com-pensate, tall trees have been planted along the sides of the corridor. Tall grasses have been planted in the shape of freight train wagons at the place where the steep hill required a lot of effort from the loco-motives. The arrangements separate paths and ways, and provide relaxation areas.
The fourth section of Baana is intended to remain permanently. It includes places designed for different kinds of activities. The sculpture “I love Helsinki” by Janne Siltanen can be seen after the curve. A mural on the old concrete wall complements the sculpture. An area at the start of the Porkkalankatu bridge has been left intentionally empty to create a covered area that can be used for various city events.
The intention was to make Baana a versatile urban space suitable for different user groups. The inclusion of an empty non-commercial space has intrinsic value. It has been purposefully designed as a simple and rugged urban space that is unique to Helsinki.
Baana ends in an expansive pedestrian and cycle underpass and surrounding square. This end section, called the “West Link” (Länsilinkki) connects Baana to the city’s recreational shoreline path.
Text: Teresa Rönkä and Krista Muurinen of LOCI Landscape Architects Ltd (LOCI maisema-arkkitehdit Oy) in co-operation with Project Manager Kaija Laine of the Helsinki City Public Works Department and Archi-tect Kirsi Rantama of the Helsinki City Planning Department.
/ Krista Muurinen, Pia Kuusiniemi, Leena Buller, Liisa Dahlqvist
Art: Janne Siltanen
Lighting design: Ramboll Finland Oy /Juha Hälikkä
Contractor: Helsinki City Public Works Department
Structural engineering: Sito Oy/ Jarmo Koivisto, Design of the pedestrian and cycle path and infrastructure: Ramboll Finland Oy / Helmer Berndtson, Tero Varonen, Structural engineering: Ramboll Finland Oy / Sami Noponen
In summer 2012 a new pedestrian and bicycle corridor, Baana opened in the heart of Helsinki along a stretch of disused railway line. The 1.3-kilometre canyon-like route connects the city centre to a newly developed residential district by the West Harbour.
The railway line between Töölönlahti and Jätkäsaari was originally built in 1894 along what were then the fringes of the city. The railway line had to be quarried out of the massive granite bedrock, creating a man-made canyon that was spanned by several bridges as the city expanded. When cargo operations at the West Harbour were moved out of the city in 2008, the railway line was made available for other uses.
The City of Helsinki decided to use the railway line temporarily as a pedestrian and bicycle corridor. The goal from the start was to develop it into an attractive uptown-downtown and cross-town route for pe-destrians and cyclists that would connect different city districts. Baana is indeed both a functional and recreational corridor that is connected to the upper street level by numerous ramps and steps. Since its inauguration in summer 2012, Baana has clearly satisfied a strong demand, as it is used by several thou-sands of pedestrians and cyclists each day.
The implementation of Baana has highlighted the urban image with respect to the history of the old har-bour railway line without overlooking functionality for pedestrians and cyclists or the quality expectations regarding contemporary public spaces. The aim of the design was to reinforce local characteristics by combining both historical and modern aspects. Baana has been kept simple and straightforward. To achieve a uniform appearance, the guiding principle was to retain the rugged appearance and dark shades of the railway line. The original structures and materials have been utilised in the design as much as possi-ble.
Baana is divided into four parts, each with its own unique characteristic. The first section of Baana is the stretch between the Parliament House and its extension. The character of this area has been highlighted by selecting the same kind of black granite for the surface material of the new structures lining Baana as was used for the original wall structures.
The next section is narrow and deep and similar to the original railway line. The aim was to create an over-all impression that is as clear and uniform in colour as possible. Most of the vegetation grows along a nar-row edge at the top on the street level, where the aim was to maintain the wild look of the plants.
In the third section the corridor widens and the paths fork to form an intersection. The canyon-like feel of the space has diminished where the surface had to be raised for safety and drainage purposes. To com-pensate, tall trees have been planted along the sides of the corridor. Tall grasses have been planted in the shape of freight train wagons at the place where the steep hill required a lot of effort from the loco-motives. The arrangements separate paths and ways, and provide relaxation areas.
The fourth section of Baana is intended to remain permanently. It includes places designed for different kinds of activities. The sculpture “I love Helsinki” by Janne Siltanen can be seen after the curve. A mural on the old concrete wall complements the sculpture. An area at the start of the Porkkalankatu bridge has been left intentionally empty to create a covered area that can be used for various city events.
The intention was to make Baana a versatile urban space suitable for different user groups. The inclusion of an empty non-commercial space has intrinsic value. It has been purposefully designed as a simple and rugged urban space that is unique to Helsinki.
Baana ends in an expansive pedestrian and cycle underpass and surrounding square. This end section, called the “West Link” (Länsilinkki) connects Baana to the city’s recreational shoreline path.
Text: Teresa Rönkä and Krista Muurinen of LOCI Landscape Architects Ltd (LOCI maisema-arkkitehdit Oy) in co-operation with Project Manager Kaija Laine of the Helsinki City Public Works Department and Archi-tect Kirsi Rantama of the Helsinki City Planning Department.