Fræðaþing landbúnaðarins - feb. 2010, Side 339

VEGGSPJÖLd | 339
Heavy industry environment and cultural heritage
Opportunities for everyone
B.sc. Theses in Environmental and landscape planning
Hjördís Sigurðardóttir
The Icelandic Agricultural University, Hvanneyri, 311 Borgarnes
Abstract
The aim of this project was to answer the following question: Is it feasible for old and
new elements in the environment to form a clear contrast, creating a continuum and
supporting each other, both as parts of the cultural heritage?
The environment chosen to answer this question was around the aluminum plant,
Alcan in Straumsvík, Hafnarfjörður. The purpose was to stimulate the connection
between the heavy industry and its close environment. Inspiration was obtained from
cultural heritage at the building site, especially the Holy Barbara’s Chapel, and hence
to create an informative landscape design. The human need for well designed
environment was explored. Historical and visional analyses were done and
experiencing design introduced with respect to laws enforced to protect heritage.
A new appearance of the aluminum plant environment was proposed where variables
like scale, texture, forms, patterns and color were important. For example an old path
pattern was used to design a landscape that played a central role in connecting the
Holy Barbara’s Chapel and the aluminum factory.
A concept was designed in order to answer demands to companies for corporate
social responsibilities, a municipality’s vision for sustainability and encourage a better
quality of life.
Keywords: Old and new, cultural heritage, heavy industry, experiencing design,
corporate social responsibility, vision
Introduction
Well into the 20th century, regional development depended on food supply
possibilities. With other types of society, more information and different demands,
emphasis in land use has shifted. Extreme opinions to current issues often characterize
the debate. Landscape architects have an important role to play by bringing new
facets into the discussion and to approach old and new forms in a novel way. The
current subject matter was chosen here as it consists of interesting possibilities for
combining two unlike facades on the same object, the man’s print in the landscape.
No references have been identified that demonstrate the interaction between heavy
industry and heritage. Furthermore, no landscape design was found for heavy industry
building sites anywhere in the world.
Working with heritage in the Icelandic landscape as an element in design, requires
consultation with authorities in each municipality in accordance with respective laws
(The Antiquarian legislation no.107/2001; Planning and Building Act no. 73/1997;
Planning Regulations no. 400/1998 - “Þjóðminjalög, 107/2001; Skipulags- og
byggingalög, 73/1997; Skipulagsreglugerð, 400/1998”). definitions of heritage and its
protected zone are under reconsideration (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture,
w.y.), such as expanding the protected zone from 20m as it is today to a 100m radius.