To address Nørrebro’s lack of training facilities and create a new gathering point for the area’s residents, the football club Nørrebro United and Boligafdelingen AKB, København Lundtoftegade AKB, have joined forces for Nørrebro samles på banen aka ‘Nørrebro Gathers at the Field’. Based on the area’s existing values, the aim is to transform the previously enclosed and overlooked area around the Lundtoftegade residences into a lively, inviting, and multifunctional activity space.

The existing and restrictive fence will be removed to improve connectivity between the area and its surroundings. The football field will be upgraded, equipped with new artificial turf, and will serve as a training ground for Nørrebro United and the area’s residents. The majority of the existing trees will be preserved, and new ones will be added to create better age distribution, along with flower beds with blooming perennials to increase the aesthetic value.

Throughout the area, an activity path will be established with various elements challenging balance and coordination, as well as facilities for play and places for people to hang out and observe. Additionally, spaces for peaceful relaxation will be created, allowing residents, users, and visitors to meet and socialize in calm settings. In addition to the green initiatives, provisions have been made for rain water management to handle cloud bursts.

Inviting the local community

Søren-Emil Schütt, member of the Organizational Board of AKB Copenhagen, Ulrik Povlsen, board member of AKB Copenhagen, Lundtoftegade, and Aske Kvist Tybirk, Ph.D. at Nørrebro United, have been the driving forces behind ‘Nørrebro Gathers on the Field’.

“The project serves as an example of a new best practice in several areas. Where we, in the social housing sector, look beyond our own property boundaries and make our land available to the entire local community,” says Søren-Emil Schütt.

‘Nørrebro Gathers at the Field’ is a project where local actors come together to address local issues. The project stems from local problems with gang crime and a national ghetto law that made residents uneasy about their housing situation. Both parties had an interest, at the beginning of the project, in finding solutions to the problems that were a significant part of everyday life for residents back in 2018,” says Ulrik Polvsen.

Space for everyone, regardless of age, gender and activity level

MASU Planning is the total advisor and landscape architect, Lyngkilde is the engineer, and Optimus Anlæg A/S is the contractor on the project. ‘Nørrebro gathers at the field’ is realized with financial support from Den filantropiske forening Realdania, Lokale- og anlægsfonden, Nordea-fonden og Københavns Kommune.

Søren-Emil Schütt explains: “The project manages to integrate a wide range of physical and social issues, which are otherwise rarely addressed simultaneously. Much of it revolves around the fact that the project is initiated bottom up and has been developed through extensive engagement processes with locals and testing of facilitation formats.

Sune Oslev, partner at MASU Planning, explains the thoughts behind the design: “Nørrebro gathers at the field is largely about better connecting the area with its surroundings and creating safe environments that strengthen the community among residents and users. In addition to the upgraded training facilities for Nørrebro United, we have endeavored to create a varied landscape that can be used by everyone – regardless of age, gender, or activity level,” explains Sune Oslev.

‘Nørrebro Gathers at the Field’ is expected to be in use by the end of 2024.