Bjørvika
Encyclopedia
Bjørvika is a neighborhood in the Sentrum
borough of Oslo
, Norway
. The area is an inlet in the inner Oslofjord
, situated between Gamlebyen and Akersness. It serves as an outlet for the river Akerselva
. Since the 2000s, it has been undergoing urban redevelopment, being transformed from a container port. The neighborhood will be Oslo
's cultural "center." The National Opera
is currently at Bjørvika, and the Munch/Stenersen
museum will be built here, replacing the Munch Museum
. A number of new roads are under construction and the Bjørvika Tunnel
opens in May, 2010.
by); the last element is vík, "inlet, bay."
Oslo was first established in the 11th century in the area around where the Alna River flows into the Oslofjord
, due to the strategic location both with regard to transport, trade and military. The place became the seat of a bishop in 1100. By 1300, the population had reached about 3000. Construction of Akershus Fortress
started in 1299. At the time, the city was mainly made of wooden buildings, and had six churches, three monasteries and two manors: one for the king and one for the bishop. The city declined during the 15th and 16th century. Following the reformation
in 1537, the economic base of the city fell away, and the city was repeatedly struck by fire.
Following the 1624 fire, King Christian IV
ordered a new city plan, and changed the name of the city from Oslo to Christiania, in his own honor. A square city grid was introduced, and the first brick buildings were built. The city grew as an important port for lumber export, and the Bjørvika area east of the city developed with port facilities. By 1801, the city had 8900 residents.
From 1814, Christiania became the capital of Norway, which had regained partial independence from Denmark and entered a union with Sweden. Industrialization started in 1840, initially with along the Aker River. The population grew rapidly, and new infrastructure was built. Commercial activities increased, and in 1854 the railway station was opened, connecting Christiania to Lake Mjøsa
via the Hoved Line. In 1835, the population was 18,000; by 1890, it had reached 151,000. From 1878, the Oslofjord was kept permanently open with icebreaker
s. By 1900, Kristiania was the leading shipping city in the nation, and among the most important in the world.
In 1960, sales of cars exploded following the deregulation of sales. A new road system through Bjørvika was opened in 1970. Ten years later, the Oslo Tunnel connected the city's two railway networks together. Starting in the 1960s, containerization
and automation
became leading trends in the development of the port technology. The steady construction of new roads and port facilities created a physical and visual barrier that hindered Oslo from having access to the waterfront. European Route E18
takes up 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) of waterfront.
Bjørvika is being redeveloped as part of the Fjord City plans for the Oslo waterfront. In 2010, the Bjørvika Tunnel
will be completed, and by 2012, Bispelokket
and the rest of the remaining E18 will be removed. A new avenue, Dronning Eufemias gate, will be constructed along the current route of Bispegata. It will serve as a main route for public transport, and the Ekeberg Line
of the Oslo Tramway is planned to be rerouted along the avenue in 2014. The area is just south of Oslo Central Station, and can also be reached via the Oslo T-bane
at Jernbanetorget
.
HAV Eiendom
, a subsidiary of the Oslo Port Authority, is responsible for developing the area. When finished, it will have 4–5,000 apartments and about 20,000 jobs. In addition, several major cultural institutions will be located in Bjørvika. It is estimated that 30,000 people will travel to the neighborhood each day.
In 2008, the Oslo Opera House
opened at Bjørvika. Costing and built by Statsbygg
, it was designed by Snøhetta. Bjørvika was preferred as a location over Vestbanen
. The opera is 38500 square metres (46,045.6 sq yd) in size and has a large, slanting roof open to the public. In 2008, the Norwegian Parliament also decided to build the Munch Museum
, the Stenersen Museum
and the Oslo Public Library
at Bjørvika to form a new cultural center.
Between Dronning Eufemias gate and the central station, twelve medium-rise buildings, up to 22 stories tall, are to be constructed. These have officially been christened the Barcode Buildings
. The first, the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers
, has already been built. The height of the buildings created a heated debate.
is located in Bjørvika, on the sea side of Oslo Central Station.
Sentrum, Oslo
Sentrum meaning city-center is located on the southeast side of the city near the inner Oslofjord.The district is dominated by high rises like Postgirobygget and The Plaza. Oslos Central Station is located on the eastern side of the borough. Sentrum consists of Bjørvika which has a history as...
borough of Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The area is an inlet in the inner Oslofjord
Oslofjord
The Oslofjord is a bay in the south-east of Norway, stretching from an imaginary line between the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south to Oslo in the north....
, situated between Gamlebyen and Akersness. It serves as an outlet for the river Akerselva
Akerselva
Akerselva, or Akerselven, is a river which flows through Oslo. It starts at Maridalsvannet in Oslomarka, and follows the urban areas Nordre Aker, Sagene, Grünerløkka, Oslo centre and Grønland, whereby it finally ends at Paulsenkaien and Oset in Bjørvika. The river is considered to be a part of the...
. Since the 2000s, it has been undergoing urban redevelopment, being transformed from a container port. The neighborhood will be Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
's cultural "center." The National Opera
Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is the home of The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera theatre in Norway. The building is situated in the Bjørvika neighborhood of central Oslo, at the head of the Oslofjord. It is operated by Statsbygg, the government agency which manages property for...
is currently at Bjørvika, and the Munch/Stenersen
Munch/Stenersen
Munch/Stenersen is an upcoming building in Bjørvika, Oslo scheduled for completion in the year of the Munch jubilee in 2013. The building is designed by Juan Herreros .There has been a lot of conflict around the building...
museum will be built here, replacing the Munch Museum
Munch Museum
Munch Museum is an art museum in Oslo, Norway dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.-Munch Museum:...
. A number of new roads are under construction and the Bjørvika Tunnel
Bjørvika Tunnel
The Bjørvika Tunnel is a motorway immersed tunnel on European Route E18 in the city center of Oslo, Norway. The tunnel has two bores, with three lanes in each...
opens in May, 2010.
The name
The Norse form of the name was Bjárvík. The first element is the genitive of býr, "town, city" (modern NorwegianNorwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
by); the last element is vík, "inlet, bay."
History
Oslofjord
The Oslofjord is a bay in the south-east of Norway, stretching from an imaginary line between the Torbjørnskjær and Færder lighthouses and down to Langesund in the south to Oslo in the north....
, due to the strategic location both with regard to transport, trade and military. The place became the seat of a bishop in 1100. By 1300, the population had reached about 3000. Construction of Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle that was built to protect Oslo, the capital of Norway. It has also been used as a prison.- Construction :...
started in 1299. At the time, the city was mainly made of wooden buildings, and had six churches, three monasteries and two manors: one for the king and one for the bishop. The city declined during the 15th and 16th century. Following the reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
in 1537, the economic base of the city fell away, and the city was repeatedly struck by fire.
Following the 1624 fire, King Christian IV
Christian IV of Denmark
Christian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
ordered a new city plan, and changed the name of the city from Oslo to Christiania, in his own honor. A square city grid was introduced, and the first brick buildings were built. The city grew as an important port for lumber export, and the Bjørvika area east of the city developed with port facilities. By 1801, the city had 8900 residents.
From 1814, Christiania became the capital of Norway, which had regained partial independence from Denmark and entered a union with Sweden. Industrialization started in 1840, initially with along the Aker River. The population grew rapidly, and new infrastructure was built. Commercial activities increased, and in 1854 the railway station was opened, connecting Christiania to Lake Mjøsa
Mjøsa
Mjøsa is Norway's largest lake, as well as one of the deepest lakes in Norway and in Europe as a whole, after Hornindalsvatnet. It is located in the southern part of Norway, about 100 km north of Oslo...
via the Hoved Line. In 1835, the population was 18,000; by 1890, it had reached 151,000. From 1878, the Oslofjord was kept permanently open with icebreaker
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
s. By 1900, Kristiania was the leading shipping city in the nation, and among the most important in the world.
In 1960, sales of cars exploded following the deregulation of sales. A new road system through Bjørvika was opened in 1970. Ten years later, the Oslo Tunnel connected the city's two railway networks together. Starting in the 1960s, containerization
Containerization
Containerization is a system of freight transport based on a range of steel intermodal containers...
and automation
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
became leading trends in the development of the port technology. The steady construction of new roads and port facilities created a physical and visual barrier that hindered Oslo from having access to the waterfront. European Route E18
European route E18
European route E18 runs from Craigavon in the United Kingdom to Saint Petersburg in Russia, passing through Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is about 1,890 km in length.-United Kingdom:...
takes up 1.8 kilometres (1.1 mi) of waterfront.
Fjord City
Bjørvika Tunnel
The Bjørvika Tunnel is a motorway immersed tunnel on European Route E18 in the city center of Oslo, Norway. The tunnel has two bores, with three lanes in each...
will be completed, and by 2012, Bispelokket
Bispelokket
Bispelokket was a norwegian three-level stack interchange roundabout in Bjørvika, Oslo. European Route E18 and Norwegian National Road 162 jointed at this point, which also served as the official traffical centre of the city...
and the rest of the remaining E18 will be removed. A new avenue, Dronning Eufemias gate, will be constructed along the current route of Bispegata. It will serve as a main route for public transport, and the Ekeberg Line
Ekeberg Line
The Ekeberg Line is a long light rail line of the Oslo Tramway which runs from Gamlebyen to Ljabru in Oslo, Norway. Operated by lines 18 and 19, it serves the area of Nordstarand and the neighborhoods of Ekeberg, Jomfrubråten, Bekkelaget and Ljan. The line is operated by Oslo Sporvognsdrift using...
of the Oslo Tramway is planned to be rerouted along the avenue in 2014. The area is just south of Oslo Central Station, and can also be reached via the Oslo T-bane
Oslo T-bane
The Oslo Metro is the rapid transit system of Oslo, Norway, operated by Oslo T-banedrift on contract from the transit authority Ruter. The network consists of six lines that all run through the city centre, with a total length of . It has a daily ridership of 268,000 with 105 stations of which 16...
at Jernbanetorget
Jernbanetorget (station)
Jernbanetorget is both a rapid transit station on the Oslo Metro and a light rail station of the Oslo Tramway. The metro station is in the Common Tunnel used by all lines under the city centre. It is located between Stortinget to the west and Grønland to the east. Until the construction of the...
.
HAV Eiendom
HAV Eiendom AS is a company that is responsible for the urban redevelopment of the Bjørvika area of Oslo, Norway. Owned by the Oslo Port Authority, the former owner of the Bjørvika area, the company's goal is to "participate in the urban development of the Bjørvika area through development, rental,...
, a subsidiary of the Oslo Port Authority, is responsible for developing the area. When finished, it will have 4–5,000 apartments and about 20,000 jobs. In addition, several major cultural institutions will be located in Bjørvika. It is estimated that 30,000 people will travel to the neighborhood each day.
In 2008, the Oslo Opera House
Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is the home of The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera theatre in Norway. The building is situated in the Bjørvika neighborhood of central Oslo, at the head of the Oslofjord. It is operated by Statsbygg, the government agency which manages property for...
opened at Bjørvika. Costing and built by Statsbygg
Statsbygg
Statsbygg is a Norwegian government agency that manages central parts of the real estate portfolio of the Government of Norway. This includes 2.3 million square meters in 1,500 buildings, of which 115 are located abroad. The portfolio includes office buildings, heritage sites, campuses, operational...
, it was designed by Snøhetta. Bjørvika was preferred as a location over Vestbanen
Oslo Vestbanestasjon
Oslo West Station or Oslo V, is a former railway station located in Vika in Oslo, Norway. It was the terminus of the Drammen Line between 1872 and 1980, until the Oslo Tunnel opened. The station remained in use until 1989, when all traffic was moved to the new Oslo Central Station...
. The opera is 38500 square metres (46,045.6 sq yd) in size and has a large, slanting roof open to the public. In 2008, the Norwegian Parliament also decided to build the Munch Museum
Munch Museum
Munch Museum is an art museum in Oslo, Norway dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.-Munch Museum:...
, the Stenersen Museum
Stenersen Museum
The Stenersen Museum is an art museum in Oslo, Norway at Munkedamsveien 15.The museum shows both international and Norwegian art. The museum also houses three main art collections, donated to the Oslo municipality by Rolf E. Stenersen, Amaldus Nielsen's heirs, and Ludvig O. Ravensberg...
and the Oslo Public Library
Oslo Public Library
Oslo Public Library, formally known as the Deichman Library , is the municipal public library serving Oslo, Norway.It is the country's first and largest library. In addition to the main office, it has sixteen branches throughout the city. It also contains several that serve the whole country,...
at Bjørvika to form a new cultural center.
Between Dronning Eufemias gate and the central station, twelve medium-rise buildings, up to 22 stories tall, are to be constructed. These have officially been christened the Barcode Buildings
Barcode Project (Oslo)
The Barcode Project is a section of the Bjørvika portion of the Fjord City redevelopment on former dock and industrial land in central Oslo. It consists of a row of new high-rise buildings, due to be completed in 2014, which will house 10,000 offices and some 500 apartments...
. The first, the offices of PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
, has already been built. The height of the buildings created a heated debate.
Economy
The head office of AvinorAvinor
Avinor AS is a state owned limited company in that operates most of the civil airports in Norway. The Norwegian state, via the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications controls 100 percent of the share capital. Avinor was created on 1 January 2003, by the privatization of the...
is located in Bjørvika, on the sea side of Oslo Central Station.