E15 Sites - Visby (SE)

Connecting historic and contemporary urban landscape

Site Location Östercentrum, Visby
Project Scales L - urban + architecture
Site Family IMPLANTING - Productive uses
Post-competition phase Urban studies, detailed development plan

See the site page here
See here the map of the different sites

How Can the Site Contribute to the Productive City? 
Since the beginning of the 20th century, the city of Visby has expanded far beyond its historic city walls. Östercentrum (The East Centre) was developed between the 1950s and the 1990s at the eastern gate of the wall, accommodating shops, office spaces and parking lots. The study site encircles Östercentrum’s main parking space and the commercial centre. The success of the commercial centre, as well as current restrictions in car usage and a shortage of parking spots inside the city walls, has generated a pressing demand for parking space in the area. The abundance of summer tourism transforms the neighbourhood into a vibrant district, while in low- season the open spaces leave the area with a desolate atmosphere. Östercentrum is the strategic node between the dense historic town and the scattered modern cityscape beyond. The main challenge is to develop the project site and study site areas so that the whole city can benefit from a new vitality within Östercentrum.