An Urban Estuary’s Transformation: Grønlikaia’s “Buffer Zone” Case Study

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the area “Buffer zone” in Grønlikaia at the outlet of Alna river to Oslo fjord in Kongshavn nord as a case study area.

Currently, the Alna river’s estuary at Kongshavn nord, is a closed harbor that is not suitable for biodiversity. The challenges in the area at Alna’s outlet are quite intertwined that makes it complicated and extremely vulnerable habitat and onerous for biodiversity.

The objective of this thesis is to explore this urban estuary area focusing on its current ecological state and analyze existing design proposals for the sustainable development of Gronlikaia’s buffer zone in Kongshavn north. The research aims to identify key issues and possibilities for improvements and answer the research question: How can the estuary of Alna river and its surrounding area (Buffersonen) be transformed into a fjord landscape that optimizes the area’s ecosystem and participates in nature restoration at Oslofjord and at the same time contributes to human wellbeing?

In addition, the thesis aims to acquire knowledge about the history and fjord’s ecosystem, estuary and restoration of such ecosystems to Increase biodiversity, facilitate human-nature interaction and enhance the connection between ecosystems in the fjord and on land.