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Hamar City Center Development

A long-term collaboration for the future of Hamar

Sector

Civic & Public

Region

Europe

Timespan

2012-2025

A central theme in Gehl’s projects has been strengthening the city’s connection to Lake Mjøsa. The image shows the temporary activation of the Mjøsa waterfront, which later was transformed into a permanent development. Credit: Hamar Kommune

Since 2012, Gehl has served as an advisor to the Municipality of Hamar, working on the development of urban life, attractive public spaces, and mobility through public life and public space plans, place analyses, mobility strategies, and dialogue processes. Gehl’s Public Space Plan has functioned as a strategic governance tool since 2013, with an update in 2019, and several recommendations have been implemented with documented positive effects in the form of increased urban life, more physical activity, more pedestrians, greater diversity of users, and increased commerce in the city center.

Hamar Strandgatepark Before. In several places in the city center, for example on the central Strandgate and in Strandgate Park, a three-digit increase in staying activities and in the number of children spending time and playing has been observed. Credit: Gehl
Hamar Strandgateparken After. Families are recognized as an important user group of the city’s amenities, and efforts to attract them to use the city’s public spaces have been a central part of the development. Credit: Gehl
Credit: Hilde Kvivik Kavli
Credit: Hilde Kvivik Kavli

A process that ensures a coherent city and integrates new development areas

In 2020, Gehl, with Moe as a subconsultant, was selected to prepare a comprehensive Place Analysis and a climate-friendly Mobility Strategy for the entire city of Hamar. The Place Analysis describes Hamar’s identity-defining qualities within the themes of urban life, public space, nature, and built form. The Mobility Strategy translates the goals of Hamar’s municipal plan and sets the strategic direction for future mobility, outlining the initiatives required to achieve these ambitions, including the relationship between urban quality, public space, and mobility.

The work builds on Gehl’s long-standing collaboration with the Municipality of Hamar, where a Public Space Plan has served as a strategic planning tool since 2013, updated in 2019. In recent years, many of the plan’s recommendations have been implemented, with documented positive effects on urban life. A public life survey from 2019 shows increased staying activities, more physical activity and play, more children and young people, and a more vibrant city center — also on weekends. Activities designed for children and young people have been particularly important in creating more life and greater diversity of users in the city center.

In 2022, Gehl was further commissioned to facilitate a process with Hamar’s politicians and stakeholders and to develop a public space plan for the harbour area, Mjøsfronten. The plan ensures a holistic approach to the future development of the area’s public spaces and urban life and will be implemented in the coming years.

Read more about the journey in a reflection conversation with Guro
Credit: Hamar Kommune
Jonna Ekholm, Lead Urban Strategist → Sofie Kvist, Project Director → Louise Vogel Kielgast, Portfolio Director of Urban Health → Martin Nelson, Technical Designer →
Ewa Westermark, Director, Partner
Andreas Røhl, Mobility Lead
Featured artwork: Memory Lane presented in partnership with Midsumma Festival, State Library Station 2021. Credit: Theresa Harrison

Offsetting construction impact and connecting communities in Melbourne through creative interventions

  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Place Activation
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
Transforming the Vesterbro Passage from traffic dominated space to a green, sustainable and climate adapted public space. Creating a sensory public space for a widespread range of pedestrians and city life. Credit: Gehl

Reorganising the city core into green, climate-adapted public space

  • Urban Design & Masterplanning
  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
Bologna Piazza Maggiore. Credit: Robin Cox

Defining the public space strategy for Bologna’s historic city center

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
Due to investments in large-scale infrastructure, the density of Melbourne’s peripheral areas is increasing. This is causing significant changes in the urban fabric of suburban centers. To measure changes over time, Gehl established a benchmark study in each of the station precincts focused at impacts on the public realm and changes in public life patterns. Credit: Suburban Rail Loop Authority

Enabling future impact assessment of Melbourne’s expanding rail infrastructure

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
Wilton Park, developed by IPUT Real Estate, is a landmark mixed-use development in the heart of Dublin Southside. As part of the development, new office workplaces are complemented by a transformed public realm, enhancing connectivity, accessibility, and vibrancy. Credits: IPUT Real Estate, Dublin

Measuring the impact of placemaking at Wilton Park, Dublin

  • Social Spatial Research
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy
An active, linear public space is located along the escarpment making the scenic views of the larger mountain range accessible for all. Credit: Gehl/Atkins

Designing Oman’s future human-centered settlements in harmony with nature

  • Urban Design & Masterplanning
  • Urban Mobility
  • Urban Strategy

‘People-first’ includes you

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