Kolding:
Integrated ecological urban renewal as a Danish test case
Kolding:
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| Country: | a) Northern Europe | ,b) Denmark |
| Language: | |
| Type: | Project, Concept, 1 |
| Area: | District/Quarter, 20,000-100,000 |
| Actors: | Local government, National government, Economic sector, NGO |
| Funding: | Local government, National government, Economic Sector, Publ.-priv. partnership |
| Topics: | Architecture and construction |
| Building materials | |
| Energy | |
| Housing (and new settlements) | |
| Solid waste | |
| Urban renewal / Urban rehabilitation | |
| Water | |
| Objectives: | Improve living conditions |
| Increase use of clean technology | |
| Increase use of ecological building materials | |
| Increase use of renewable resources | |
| Reduce energy consumption | |
| Reduce water consumption | |
| Waste recycling | |
| Instruments: | Demonstration and pilot project |
Integrated ecological urban renewal in the City of Kolding has put a new focus on the inclusion of various fields of ecological improvements in a single renewal project. Although it was implemented by a top-down approach it is widely regarded as a successful example of good practice for the following reasons:
In 1992 the plan for the Kolding urban renewal project was presented as an integrated solution by one of the leading Danish urban renewal companies. The idea was to implement a renewal project which includes a set of measures to beyond the normal Danish standard of installing water-saving devices and energy-efficient electrical appliances. Usually reductions in water and energy consumption are the only subsidised elements in urban renewal projects. In contrast the Kolding project sought to get financial support for further ecological test purposes. A number of themes were selected for additional measures in the sector of housing and local areas of ecological improvement. In the housing sector the following measures should be implemented:
In the field of local improvements, the immediate area should be reorganised and new facilities for common use should be installed:
The project forms part of a long-term renewal scheme covering the entire district in the south of Kolding. The integrated ecological urban renewal element consists of a residential area with 40 three- storey blocks containing 129 apartments and 6 retail premises which were built between 1900 and 1950. As it is designed as a complex project, which comprises various types of measures, the renewal company intended to plan and manage it on strictly hierarchical lines. It was argued that better co- ordination with the building authorities and the financing institution can thereby be achieved. As the procedure is contrary to the normal high level of residential participation it caused some conflict. The residents tried to formulate their wishes in working groups. However, the implementation was mainly realised without the participation of the residents and only private owners were given the chance to do some renovation work on their own. After the project received the municipal permission in early 1993 implementation took place between 1993 and 1996.
The Kolding project is characterised by the introduction of a variety of different ecological aspects into urban renewal planning. From this point of view it has entered new ground and standards in Danish practice. The following fields themes were addressed:
As in all densely populated areas in Denmark the basic energy concept relies on district heating from the municipal power plant. The district heating was changed to low temperature heating. In some houses this is combined with active solar collectors on the roof and passive solar heating through the glass facades. In the 'Bioworks' the pumping system is run by photovoltaic cells on the south roof.
Whereas the active heating systems produced the expected energy balance, the results of the passive systems mostly result in with a poor energy balance. This is partly due to an unnecessarily high average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in the 'Bioworks glass pyramid'. For future use the temperature will be reduced to 14 degrees Celsius. Another factor in the poor energy balance is the single glazing in the greenhouses, which lead to heat loss through evaporation and high level of humidity in the flats.
Approximately half the households use rainwater for flushing toilets. The rainwater is collected from the roofs and led to a pond and cistern tanks. From there it is circulated back into the apartments. There has been a saving of approx. one third in water for flushing in households, which are connected to the rainwater system. In all apartments water saving fittings have been installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Water bills have been cut by 50 %.
Waste water is treated in the 'Bioworks' where purification of grey and black water is carried out in a three-chamber septic tank. The grey and the black water undergoes mechanical treatment with an ozone generator. Subsequent treatment is by UV light. Further steps include passing through a four sludge and algae plankton basin, passing through a fish pond, pumping through different layers of the bioworks. After passing through this system the purified water flows through a reed-bed from where it is discharged to the groundwater.
The waste is separated into three fractions, namely solid waste, paper waste and glass as this is compulsory in Denmark since 1994. Within the next couple of years separation of organic kitchen waste will become compulsory. With this in mind, the installed waste collection points are already equipped with new technology which was introduced as a test case in Sweden. Two automated, insulated drums function as large composting bins where kitchen and garden wastes can be stored. Later the organic waste is shredded and added to the compost. On average the amount of waste has been reduced by 40 %.
The inner area of the housing block has been cleared from old sheds and other buildings. Each building was allocated a share of the area which can be used as gardens. The remaining communal area is landscaped with flow-forms and a stream which is incorporated into a children’s play ground.
Most of the new fences are living fences of willow trees which are supported by light wooden tellises.
The lay-out and the plot sizes also offer new open spaces like areas for sitting outside and for barbecuing. The steam produced by the 'Bioworks' are integrated into the new functional uses of the inner courtyard.
The street facades have been renovated without changing the architecture, but single glazing has been replaced by double glazing. In the courtyard area a number of balconies were added in order to avoid heat loss. Metal and Eternit roofs have been insulated and covered with tiled roof.
In order to harmonise the design of the housing blocks the flat roofed building on the main road got a tiled roof with a large wintergarden for common use. In addition, two small apartments have been built. The balconies have been reconstructed as individual wintergardens for each apartment and facades have been re-designed to use passive solar energy. By thermal separation of balconies from the main building heat loss is avoided and fuel consumption and costs have been reduced considerably.
The inner courtyard has become a mainly pedestrianised area and only a limited number of cars have a parking space under the newly built solar pergola. In the future it is planned that these cars will be solar driven and charged directly from the photovoltaic systems on the pergola. A positive effect of the new courtyard design is a considerable reduction in noise level.
The cost of the whole scheme was about 66 million Danish crowns (DKR) of which approximately 10 million DKR were invested in the water treatment systems and the 'Bioworks' and another 6 million DKR in the inner courtyard clearance and planting measures. These experimental parts of the project were financed completely by the Danish Ministry of Housing. This arrangement was due to the municipal right to put forward a special application for extra funding of measures in addition to allocations.
The remaining costs were financed according to the standard procedure in Danish urban renewal projects which provides a fifty/fifty contribution from the Ministry of Housing and the municipality. As the project was initiated on a local basis the final financing decision rests with the municipality.
With regard to the costs for the individual tenant the running costs are normally part of the budget of the rents and administered by the housing association after the renewal project has been completed. As the Kolding project was a demonstration project in a new test field, tenants were eligible for some extra funds which cover extra expenses. In addition, special cheap loans at only 5 % interest could be used for social housing. Furthermore, a gardener is being paid to run the garden in the 'Bioworks'. The labour costs are raised from the savings in water treatment costs which otherwise would have to be paid to the Kolding water company. An additional part of the gardeners' income is earned by selling plants from the 'Bioworks'.
Concerning new rent levels after renewal there has been an rent increase over a period of five years which is up to 20 % for tenants already living in the apartments. Before renewal the average rent was about 45 DKR per square metre per month including heating, electricity, water, sewage and waste collection. After renewal the total cost rose to 58 DKR per square metre. Elderly people with low income or low pension can receive 'social support' depending on their ability to pay.
The maximum rent is limited to the market price. If the renovation costs exceed the costs for a similar flat in a newly built area, the difference is paid by the state and the municipality. This can be regarded as an incentive for planners and municipalities to keep the prices for the renewal measures as cost effective as possible.
In contrast to other Danish urban renewal and courtyard clearance projects the Kolding integrated ecological urban renewal project has been subject to top-down control from the beginning of the project. This procedure might be more convenient from an administrative and technical point of view, however, in order to establish a high level of acceptance of the project as a whole it seems more suitable to involve residents via meetings and on-going information.
Andersen, Tony / Gade, Thorsten / Kennedy, Declan 1996: Fallbeispiel Dänemark: Sanierung Fredensgade/Hollaendervej, in: Margrit Kennedy / Doris Haas / Declan Kennedy, (Hg.), Zukunftsweisender ökologischer Siedlungsbau in Europa, Band 2: Erneuerungsprojekte, Kissing, Teil 8 / 6.5
| Name | : | Jepsen |
| Firstname | : | Jörn Eskelund |
| Telefon | : | +45 / 75 21 19 34 |
| Telefax | : | |
| Address | : | ejerlaug (owners association) |
| Hollander vej 21 | ||
| DK - 6000 Kolding |
The City of Kolding is located in the southern part of Jutland. It is a transportation, commercial, and manufacturing centre. Industrial companies are mainly shipbuilding. The manufacturing of machinery and textiles and the export of livestock are other economic activities.
Project was added at 27.02.1998
Project was changed at 12.08.1998