Parallel competition

 

Project preconditions

Køge Kyst, the urban development company, has adopted a fundamental principle that the urban development of the new part of Køge is to be distinguished by the highest quality, so as to provide the best possible physical framework for urban dynamism and diversity.

The partnership agreement between the Municipality of Køge and Realdania Arealudvikling (Urban Development) describes the shared intentions for the urban development project.

On the basis of the partnership agreement, Køge Kyst has laid down six co-ordinated visions centred on:

  • Culture
  • Retail trade
  • Infrastructure
  • Urban renewal and architecture
  • Citizen involvement
  • Sustainability


It is through a realisation of the potential and opportunities linked to these visions that the project is to unfold.

The objective of the parallel competition is for the development proposals from the participating teams to highlight this potential and these opportunities. These proposals are to form the basis for the final development plan, and for the long-term, phased implementation of the project.

In order to achieve this objective, it is crucial that the development plans put forward by the participating teams are well-thought-out in relation to all the "vision points" - particularly with regard to the financial aspect, which is crucial to the financial sustainability of the project. The financial aspect of the project is to be realised through the sale of construction rights, so great emphasis will be placed on the ability of the participating teams to document financial insight into major urban development projects.

Køge Kyst expects that teams seeking pre-qualification are aware of these conditions.

Following pre-qualification, the first task of the 5-7 teams will be to prepare a detailed process description and a project description. The latter is to take the form of a proposal for how the participant in question plans to tackle/deal with individual "vision points" in the ongoing process (see the description of the parallel competition). The three teams short-listed for the later stages of the competition are subsequently to submit a proposal for a development plan that is to serve as the basis for the preparation of a final development plan. The competition participants may be involved in this work, if Køge Kyst considers this desirable.

The sections below describe in more detail the six visions and the challenges linked to each.


Culture
The opportunity to use culture as a driving force behind the urban renewal project is to be utilised actively - particularly at Søndre Havn, where the intention is for culture to play a major role.

The Søndre Havn area contains vacant spaces and buildings that are extremely well-suited to establishing new cultural activities, while simultaneously highlighting and developing existing cultural and leisure facilities and organisations (the Tapperiet culture centre, the rowing club, the canoeing and kayaking club, the winter swimming association, etc.). New cultural assets in the area could include open workshops, exhibitions, music events, competitions and the like.

It is expected that the focus on culture will make a positive contribution to elevating the attraction value of the area, raising the profile of the area at regional level, and promoting a lively atmosphere and well-being in the new part of the town. Against this background, it is expected that the focus on culture will encourage investors and other stakeholders to launch construction projects, commercial players to set up businesses, and private citizens to purchase homes.

In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • how can culture be used as a driving force behind the development of the new part of the town?
  • how can consideration be shown to existing and ongoing businesses and activities in the three sub-areas, and what form could a plan for temporary activities take?
  • how can the funds from the Culture Pool best be used to support the development plan?
  • how can art and culture in the public forum be integrated into the development plan?
  • how can the appropriate conditions be created for urban spaces that attract cultural and recreational activities for both local residents and visitors, how are such spaces to be run, and how can ownership of these urban spaces be created?
  • what are the benefits and drawbacks associated with a cultural centre in a new or existing building?
  • how can a sharp cultural profile be built up for Køge in a regional - and perhaps even an international - context? should consideration be given to the possibility of establishing a cultural beacon in Køge?



Retail trade
The vision is for the historical town centre to be expanded with a large retail trade area. This will allow the town to host a larger types of shop and a greater range of goods. The new and existing retail trade is to be integrated into the current structure of the town in such a way as to ensure that both residents and visitors experience numerous natural routes throughout the town centre.
The planning of the area is to take into account the need to create appropriate cohesion in the traffic systems for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The architectural framework for retail trade is to accommodate both commercial requirements and the structure and identity of the historical town.
In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • How can natural cohesion be ensured between the existing retail trade in the centre of Køge and the coming expansion of the retail trade - from both architectural and commercial perspectives?




Infrastructure
The project is to create cohesion and physical spatial connections between the historical centre of the town and the new urban areas on the other side of the railway line. Solutions are to be presented for the three connections - for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists - between the historical town centre and the harbour areas.

High demands will be made on constructed parking space - primarily subterranean - as the intention is to avoid tying up too many open spaces. In addition, a conscious effort is to be made to exploit opportunities for double utilisation of car parking areas for residences and commerce.

Emphasis will be placed on the car parking solutions being financially realistic while presenting an architectural expression that is not only acceptable, but also adds architectural and aesthetic qualities to the area. The car parking solutions are also to attempt to limit the volume of traffic seeking to park in the town centre.


In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • How does the overall infrastructure and car parking solution for the area look, and what is its relationship to the existing infrastructure in the town - including the new bus terminal?
  • How can the location close to the station best be utilised, and how can optimal conditions be created for pedestrians and cyclists?
  • How are connections for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to be established across the railway line - connections that are functional from the perspective of traffic and which visually suit the urban environment?
  • How is the challenge of primarily establishing car parking areas below ground level or in buildings to be dealt with, and how will it be possible to accommodate the request for double utilisation of parking spaces for residences and businesses?



Urban renewal and architecture
Quality is to be in focus throughout the development, planning and construction phases. This does not, however, mean choosing the most expensive materials or construction methods and all times.

In places where the new urban area meets the historical town centre, emphasis will be placed (so as to show particular consideration for the existing architecture) on the solutions demonstrating how the modern town physically and spatially - through the selection of building heights, designs, materials and colours - interacts seamlessly with the existing urban structure.

Køge Kyst places great emphasis on Køge becoming an example of how synergy and development can be generated when new and old meet.

The intention is for the development plan to feature relatively high percentages of built-up areas. The objective of these high percentages is to support and reinforce the conditions for an urban atmosphere and the intensity of the urban lifestyle. There is also an element of sustainability associated with high-density urban areas.

It is important that the high level of density be combined with a sufficient number of attractive urban spaces and open areas. There must be sufficient opportunities for expression and activity for the town and the area, as a whole and in the immediate vicinity of individual residences.

In the parallel competition, consideration is to be given to how industrial buildings worth of preservation (and other existing buildings) might be used for new purposes.

The objective is to create urban spaces that support the use of the area, including by people who live and work in the area or who are visiting the town for cultural/recreational purposes. The urban spaces are to encourage different activities and make them attractive. These may, for example, include café lifestyle, cultural activities or spontaneous sports. For this reason, it is desirable that some of the central urban spaces in the area be completed quickly so that the conditions for urban lifestyle are already present at a relatively early stage of the process.

Opportunities for art in public spaces should be integrated actively in the process.

In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • How does the first stage of a principal structure for urban spaces, promenades, jogging tracks, etc. look? how does this stage merge with the cultural and temporary activities in the area, and with the continuation of operations among existing businesses in the Søndre Havn area?
  • To what extent can use be made of industrial buildings at Søndre Havn that are worthy of preservation, and of other existing buildings, for new purposes?
  • How will the desire to preserve Køge's cultural heritage be accommodated?
  • How will focus be maintained on quality without this necessarily involving the choice of the most expensive solutions?
  • How will the desire for relatively dense construction in the Station Area, at Søndre Havn and on the Collstrop Site be accommodated while simultaneously ensuring a sufficient proportion of open areas?
  • How are pleasant wind conditions to be created in the area, supporting the intentions of a good urban lifestyle and outdoor activities?
  • How can the three sub-areas best be integrated with the neighbouring areas? The focus here is on consideration for the historical town centre and the existing architecture along the borders shared with the three new sub-areas.



Citizen involvement
A precondition for the sustainability of the project is that citizens and other stakeholders be involved in the project, and that they be given the opportunity to present good ideas and input for the process. Køge Kyst is committed to identifying and including the wishes and requirements of citizens and other stakeholders with regard to the new part of the town. In this way, citizen and stakeholder involvement is to generate interest in and ownership of the project.

In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • How can a close and continuous dialogue be assured with citizens and other stakeholders throughout the project process?



Sustainability
Køge Kyst uses the term "sustainability" in the broadest sense. The project is to be sustainable at all levels and in every phase of the project. This means that sustainability is to be in focus during both the planning phase and the execution phase.

The location of all three areas close to the station - and the associated excellent opportunities for public transport - is to be utilised such that it is possible, with a relatively high percentage of built-up area, to support sustainable development with the focus on energy, the environment and the climate.

Optimal conditions are to be created for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the area so as to minimise the need for motorised traffic. The project is to include consideration for opportunities for promoting health through organised and spontaneous sports, exercise and physical activity.

Consideration is also to be given to environmental and financial sustainability in the context of the requirements to future building and construction projects - in relation to energy consumption, construction materials, water consumption, maintenance, etc. These requirements will subsequently be translated into local plans and sales conditions for the sites.

Thought is to be given to opportunities for different types of residence so as to support social sustainability in the project.

The sustainability of the area will also depend on the balance between residences, retail trade and commerce, so it is important to work creatively with concepts for, and the positioning of, premises for retail trade and other businesses.

Diverse urban lifestyle is to be supported, so the project is simultaneously to utilise multiple instruments which, together, create the basis and conditions for same. Diverse urban lifestyle is a precondition for the social sustainability of the project.

The various instruments may include:

  • A mix of urban functions
  • (Temporary) cultural activities
  • A mix of types and sizes of residence, and a variety of forms of ownership
  • A requirement for a certain number of publicly accessible functions at ground floor level
  • Exciting urban spaces spread throughout the area
  • Structures that promote health in and across the area
  • Models that assure a low rent level in minor parts of the built-up area
  • Integration of retail trade and other commerce, so as to reinforce the existing town centre and the new part of town at the same time.


Sustainable urban development is a concept that is multifaceted and therefore difficult to define. For this reason, it is essential to define a shared platform that can form the basis for a professional discussion of the concept and closely associated subjects.

Køge Kyst intends to use such a platform - or tool - that makes it possible to systematise the discussion of sustainability and the evaluation of the three proposals for development plans. A tool of this kind does not cover every imaginable aspect of sustainability, but focuses instead on a selection of the most important aspects that are to be dealt with in this parallel competition. The tool covers the following three dimensions: the environment, social/health considerations and finance.

In the parallel competition programme, participants will, for example, be asked to submit proposals for specific solutions to the following challenges:

  • How does the development plan accommodate the desire for the urban development to be sustainable (from the perspectives of the environment, social/health considerations, and finance)?
  • Are there options to the existing heat supply medium (natural gas), which is relatively CO2-heavy?
  • how are the environment-technical limitations on the area to be handled (the already established soil pollution and the Inconveniences stemming from the businesses that are to operate in the area for the coming 10-15 years)?
  • How are the proposed solutions secured against possible rises in the water level in the future?



Finance
With regard to the applicability of the entries, the individual teams will be requested to submit financial estimates for their proposals for the development plan (the second phase of the competition) and its subsidiary elements (e.g. infrastructure, car parks and urban spaces). These estimates will be compared to Køge Kyst's project budget and will play a key role in the assessment and evaluation. The requirements in this regard will be presented in more detail in the programme.


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