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Superkilen: A Case Study in Urban Parks

by Shekinah Plata

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Kyne Grey
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
104 views4 pages

Superkilen: A Case Study in Urban Parks

by Shekinah Plata

Uploaded by

Kyne Grey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Case Study on Community Parks

1. Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark

1.1 Project Description


Superkilen, a half mile urban park is in the culturally diverse neighborhood of Copenhagen,
Denmark. The park was designed by the collaboration of three architectural firms, BIG,
Topotek1 and SUPERFLEX. Superkilen is a diverse park functioning as a global exhibition of
everyday objects, such as benches, lampposts, and plants, sourced worldwide and chosen with
the input of future visitors.
1.2 Park Amenities
The park is divided into three zones/colors: Red, Black, and Green.
The Red Square
The Red Square is bounded by two streets in each end. It is surrounded by buildings and
fences along the sides. It is primarily designed for sports and cultural activities. It is an extension
of the indoor sports complex, Nørrebrohallen. This zone has the following facilities:

 Fitness Area
 Thai boxing
 Playground (slide from Chernobyl, Iraqi swings, Indian climbing playground)
 Sound system from Jamaica
 A stencil of Salvador Allende
 Benches (from Brazil, classic UK cast Iron litter bins, Iran and Switzerland)
 Bike stands and Parking area.
The Black Square

The Mimer Plads is the focal point of the Superkilen Masterplan. It is the gathering spot of the
locals
Mimers Plads is the heart of the Superkilen Masterplan. This is where the locals meet around
the Moroccan fountain, the Turkish bench, under the Japanese cherry-trees as the extension of
the area’s patio. In weekdays, permanent tables, benches and grill facilities serve as an urban
living room for backgammon, chess players etc. The bike traffic is moved to the East side of the
Square by partly solving the problem of height differences towards Midgaardsgade and enable
a bike ramp between Hotherplads and the intersecting bike path connection. Towards North is a
hill facing south with a view to the square and its activity.
The square can be spotted by the big, dentist neon sign from Doha, Qatar.
Brazilian bar chairs under the Chinese palm trees, Japanese octopus playground next to the
long row of Bulgarian picnic tables and Argentinean BBQ’s, Belgian benches around the cherry
trees, UV (black light) light highlighting all white from the American shower lamp, Norwegian
bike rack with a bike pump, Liberian cedar trees.
To protect from the street ending at the north east corner of the square and to meet the wishes
from the neighbors, we have folded up a corner of the square creating a covered space.
Unlike the pattern on the red square, the white lines on Mimers Plads are all moving in straight
lines from north to south, curving around the different furniture to avoid touching it. Here the
pattern is highlighting the furniture instead of just being a caped under it.
Sport/play – the green park

Bauman once said that “sport is one of the few institutions in society, where people can still
agree on the rules”. No matter where you’re from, what you believe in and which language you
speak, you can always play football together. This is why a number of sports facilities are
moved to the Green Park, including the existing hockey field with an integrated basketball court
as it will create a natural gathering spot for local young people from Mjolnerpark and the
adjacent school.
The activities of the Green Park with its soft hills and surfaces appeals to children, young
people and families. A green landscape and a playground where families with children can meet
for picnics, sunbathing and breaks in the grass, but also hockey tournaments, badminton
games and workout between the hills.
The neighbors asked for more green so we ended up making the green park completely green
– not only keeping and exaggerating the curvy landscape, but also painting all bike- and
pedestrian paths green.
From Tagensvej at the very north, the park is welcoming with a big rotating neon sign from USA,
a big Italian chandelier and a black Osborne Bull from Costa del Sol (a wish from a Danish
couple living in the area!).
Armenian picnic tables next to Mjølnerparken with South African BBQ’s, a volcano shapes
sports arena for basket ball and football, a line dance pavilion from Texas, muscle beach from
LA with a high swing from Kabul, Spanish ping pong tables and a pavilion for the kids to hang
out in.
[Link]

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Superkilen is divided into three zones: the Red Square, the Black Square, and the Green Park, each designed to support various activities. The Red Square supports sports and cultural activities with facilities like a fitness area and playground, integrating objects from different cultures such as a slide from Chernobyl and Iraqi swings. The Black Square serves as a gathering spot, featuring tables, benches, BBQ facilities, and multicultural artifacts like a Moroccan fountain and Turkish bench. The Green Park focuses on sports and play, offering a green landscape with facilities for hockey and basketball, appealing to families and young people with picnic areas and diverse sports options .

Superkilen's design effectively promotes physical activity among locals by including distinct zones specifically catered to different recreational and sports activities. The Red Square includes facilities for sports like Thai boxing and general fitness, while the Green Park offers spaces for hockey, basketball, football, and other sports. These facilities are attractively embedded in a multicultural context, enhancing their appeal and accessibility. The design encourages regular physical activity by providing convenient and welcoming options for exercise, appealing to different age groups and interests, and thereby contributing to the community's overall health and well-being .

Urban parks like Superkilen can play a crucial role in fostering multicultural interactions in cities by serving as neutral grounds where diverse cultural backgrounds can converge through shared activities. By integrating globally sourced cultural artifacts and activities like the ones found at Superkilen, parks can reflect and celebrate cultural diversity in a physical space. This not only encourages engagement and collaboration among different cultural groups but also aids in breaking down barriers and building mutual understanding and respect. Such inclusive design enhances social cohesion and provides a platform for cultural exchange, essential for the harmonious coexistence of diverse urban communities .

Superkilen's use of diverse cultural elements can significantly influence the perception of public spaces in urban areas by redefining them as platforms for cultural interchange and identity expression. The presence of artifacts and designs from various countries within the park creates an environment that is both globally and locally significant, encouraging inhabitants and visitors to view public spaces not merely as functional amenities but as cultural tapestries. This can transform public perception, fostering an appreciation for multiculturalism and enhancing social ties in urban settings. Such spaces become symbols of inclusivity and innovation, influencing how cities design and utilize public parks to reflect their diverse histories and communities .

Superkilen exemplifies the concept of a 'global exhibition' by incorporating a wide array of everyday objects from various cultures around the world, turning the park into an open showcase of global cultural diversity. This approach enables the park to serve as a living museum where cultural expression is celebrated in an everyday urban context. The presence of multicultural elements like the Moroccan fountain, Thai boxing arena, and other culturally significant objects allows residents and visitors to experience and appreciate a variety of cultural expressions in one cohesive space. This not only enhances the cultural vibrancy of the area but also fosters an inclusive environment where cultural differences are acknowledged and appreciated, promoting global understanding and community cohesion in urban settings .

The design of Superkilen effectively addresses the needs of its diverse urban setting by incorporating elements that reflect the local community's multicultural identity. By involving local input in the selection of the park's features and integrating artifacts from cultures represented in the neighborhood, the park becomes a shared cultural landscape that resonates with its users. The diverse recreational facilities accommodate various interests and age groups, from sports enthusiasts to families seeking leisure spaces, thus promoting inclusivity. This design approach not only caters to the recreational needs of a diverse population but also fosters social connection and community identity by creating a space where cultural differences are both visible and valued .

Superkilen's architectural design, with its integration of diverse cultural elements, has a significant social and cultural impact on the surrounding community by promoting unity and multiculturalism. By embedding artifacts and designs from numerous countries, the park becomes a microcosm of global culture, which can strengthen the sense of identity and pride among residents in their neighborhood's diversity. It facilitates community interactions across cultural lines, encouraging social inclusion and cross-cultural exchanges, which are crucial in urban settings with heterogeneous populations. This design not only beautifies the area but also transforms it into a center of cultural interaction and mutual respect .

Superkilen in Copenhagen integrates global influences by featuring everyday objects sourced from around the world, influenced by the input of future visitors. This is done by including items such as benches, lampposts, and plants from different countries, symbolizing the community's cultural diversity. The purpose of this approach is to create a park that reflects the multicultural heritage of the neighborhood, transforming the space into a global exhibition of cultures, and fostering a sense of community and belonging among the diverse local populace .

Superkilen employs several innovative strategies to create a sense of place within Copenhagen's urban environment. By transforming a half-mile stretch into a vibrant, multicultural landscape featuring objects from around the globe, it instills a unique identity and a strong sense of belonging among the community. The strategic division into Red, Black, and Green zones caters to different activities and moods, allowing people to associate specific spaces with particular experiences. Collaboration with local residents in object selection further enhances the sense of ownership and relevance. This blend of personalization, cultural symbolism, and inclusive design defines Superkilen as not just a park, but as a landmark that captures the essence of its locality .

Community input plays a significant role in the design of Superkilen by influencing the selection of globally sourced objects that populate the park. This participatory approach allows future visitors, reflecting the neighborhood's diverse cultural backgrounds, to contribute to the park's aesthetics and functionality. Such involvement reflects broader urban planning trends that emphasize community engagement, social inclusivity, and participatory design processes to create shared urban spaces that meet the needs and values of diverse urban populations, fostering social cohesion and community identity .

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