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Hamar Mobility Strategy

Bolstering Norway’s sustainable mobility credentials

Sector

Transportation & Mobility

Region

Europe

Timespan

2020

Credit: Fredrik Ahlsen/Maverix Media - Visit Norway

Hamar, Norway, held ambitious goals to improve its sustainable mobility offer. With many inviting public spaces and beautiful natural surroundings, the city was primed for an improved bicycling and walking network and an adjusted vehicle circulation plan for cars. Gehl crafted a Mobility Strategy and Action Plan to guide the city’s future mobility moves and associated development.

Designing a mobility network that also works for walking and cycling in the dark and in snowy conditions was a key part of the Gehl’s considerations during the process. Credit: Denise Jans
Providing vehicle access in the inner city without increasing traffic congestion was a component of Gehl’s Mobility Strategy. Credit: Gehl

A mobility experience fit for all seasons

Hamar, a lakeside city with 30,000 inhabitants near Oslo, sought to bolster its appeal as a home for young families and better meet sustainability benchmarks for cities. As long-term collaborators and trusted advisors, Gehl, in cooperation with Artelia (then Moe), developed a Mobility Strategy that went beyond the traditional boundaries of transportation to include the connections between people, destinations, and the unique experiences they offer.

The work began by combining quantitative and qualitative data to uncover the performance of the city’s current mobility experience. This involved mobility counts, workshops, sprints, and interviews with various key actors from the city. With robust data analysis and insights, the team then proposed four strategic moves and 12 key actions that prioritize people-first mobility. To help visualize the potential impact, each move had an effectiveness score tied to existing strategic goals and concept designs to illustrate potential implementation.

The Mobility Strategy, in tandem with a ‘place-analysis’, now plays a key part in guiding the city’s future development, enhancing mobility and public life, and promoting connections between the city center and local nodes, as well as fostering a ‘short trip’ culture.

In winter, the day-to-day commute to school not only includes traditional modes of transportation — cars and bikes — but also toboggans. Credit: Gehl
Andreas Røhl, Mobility Lead
Malin Nilsson, Freelance →
Ewa Westermark, Director, Partner
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
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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

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