Fyrisån Uppsala
In the spring of 2008 Jeppe Aagaard Andersen was invited to participate in a parallel commission regarding a new master plan for the future development of city and landscape along the Fyrisån Stream, south of Uppsala in Sweden. Uppsala is one of the fastest growing suburbs of Stockholm.
Fyrisån Stream is part of an old cultural landscape composed of unique flora and fauna which has a wide variety of facilities for sports and recreational use along its spine.
The design seeks to highlight the opportunities of the existing context by outlining main view lines chosen on a basis of existing components such as topography which opens up specific views along the stream. Certain historical buildings of the area were also selected as view points and helped determine where development would stand. These elements were then layered on top of existing infrastructure, development and green space resulting in a 'developable land drawing.' View lines are highlighted by strict form for the proposed built areas and green components. To secure the green wedges in the landscape it is necessary to define the outlines of the built areas in a clear and determinate way. Bird watching towers along these views help control pedestrian movement within the open space keeping the disturbance to the ecology at a minimum.
Having a location between city and stream along with the powerful visual identity of controlled views across the water and the landscape, the Fyrisån stream is an essential link between city and water.
