THE URBAN PLAN FOR THE ØKERN ISSUED FOR POLITICAL PROCESSING
– We've been working on the Økern Sentrum plan for five years and are now delighted that the Planning and Building Agency has submitted the plan for political processing, says Project Director Thomas Holth, who represents the owners Steen & Strøm and Storebrand.
The plan provides much-needed housing and city center functions such as commerce, culture, business, and hotels, and is a key to the success of Oslo’s agreed urban expansion strategy - the Strategic Plan for Hovinbyen.
A role-model project in collaboration and involvement
It’s positive that the PBE largely agrees and recommends our proposal, including building placement, urban spaces, infrastructure, and a new blue-green structure with the reopening of water streams, says Thomas Holth.
He also praises the planning authorities for a good dialogue throughout the development phase. We have focused on strong involvement of the stakeholders connected to the future Økern Sentrum. More housing, hotels and student accommodation needed
However, we think it is unfortunate that the PBE, in the final stages of the planning process, creates an alternative plan proposal that removes the highest-quality housing, reduces the variety of sized and types of houses, and significantly limits opportunities hotels and other forms of accommodation. The areas near the station, including the existing Høyblokka, are ideal for student housing, which could contribute to a broader and more varied age and social profile and a kick-start to city life, says Holth.
We believe in dialogue and now look forward to following the political process related to the project, concludes Holth of Steen & Strøm AS.
Facts about Økern Sentrum:
Compared to the current situation, the plan will contribute with new
• 3-4,000 workplaces • 1,500 homes • Hotel/student accommodation with 250 rooms/400 units • 45,000 m2 of retail, food and beverage, services, and culture • 700 m of water stream openings • 30,000 m2 public squares and blue-green spaces
Nature adventures in an urban landscape
Økern Sentrum will offer blue-green quality in an urban context that connects to and reinforces the overall blue-green qualities of the area. Local and regional cultural initiatives Økern Sentrum will be an attractive destination for Oslo’s cultural life, both in terms of cultural production and performances. Cultural initiatives should be for everyone and have a special local focus.
City life & experiences
Økern will bring (urban) life to Økern and Hovinbyen by offering new commercial and non-commercial meeting places and experiences, whether in the form of food culture, commerce, etc.