MALMO WESTERN HARBOR (VASTRA HAMNEN)

It was 22C and the waterfront was alive with activity. The waterfront park was hosting a beach volleyball competition decked out with spectator bleachers, modern music and all the accompanying advertising booths. There were youngsters paddle boarding in the frigid waters and avid wake boarders carving the waves. Dania Park at the Western Harbor is a destination on days like yesterday.

Entering from the east amidst the bustle of new construction, I approached the site through the back door. Nearly a dozen cranes tower over the bones of new apartment blocks that make up the next phase of development. My boys and I circled the construction and caught the tail end of the waterfront promenade. This walkway is built out to within ½ km of the eastern marina so we saw numerous runners, bikers and couples on a summer stroll cutting through the construction site to complete the circuit.

 

 

At the heart of the harbor development is the canal and Carlatrava’s splendid “Turning Torso”. I didn't expect to enjoy this building so much but it was just everywhere you turned. It helps to be a solid 30 storeys taller than any other structure in either Copenhagen or Malmo. On a day like yesterday it was visible from Copenhagen and while making the bridge/tunnel crossing over (and under) the Oresund.

 

Within the development, the mature landscape is bursting out of the bio-swales that filter rain water before it enters the water channel. The water network of channels, streams, pools and waterfalls are a feature of the site particularly the main pool running north-south along the length of the development. This channel delivers the water directly to the Oresund.

http://www.malmo.se/sustainablecity
Link to City of Malmo information about the site
http://www.managenergy.net/resources/199
Renewable energy statistics, videos and case study.
http://www.kanozi.com/?page=121004478
Link to images of master plan for area north of vestra hamnen.