Walks+Talks: Hovin District
A post-industrial walk through the urban transformation district of Hovin and along the revitalized Hovin stream, reconnecting forest and fjord. This walk will focus on the transformation of the Hovin district (Hovinbyen) with water as the central element. The hidden stream Hovinbekken is being reopened on its way through the city, gradually connecting different parts of the town and ultimately connecting the forest with the fjord. Hovinbekken is approximately 8 km long and originates in the forest that surrounds Oslo. From the late 19th century until the 1960s, the stream was gradually hidden, at first to hide pollution and later to expand the city and make way for new infrastructure and housing. The walk will start with an overview of the district before we continue downstream and look more closely at different projects that have been realized or are under construction. We will focus especially on how reopening a stream can go hand in hand with city transformation and stormwater management, combining climate resilience, recreation, and ecological functions.
Hovinbyen Grand view - Bymiljøetaten
The Master Plan for Hovinbyen We meet at the Agency for Environment (Bymiljøetaten) to enjoy a morning cup of coffee on its rooftop terrace and the great view over the Hovin stream and the Hovin district (Hovinbyen). Here, we will meet the planners responsible for the ‘Master Plan for Hovinbyen’, a district that is currently being transformed into a vibrant and verdant urban hub connected to rest of the city by the Hovin stream.