Winning several contemporary architecture awards, the Oslo Opera House is a fantastic piece of modern urban design. It combines style and functionality to perfection and is one of the most interesting and enjoyable buildings I've visited anywhere in the world.
Not only the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the building itself is a city attraction in it's own right. Aesthetically it mimics the icy Norwegian landscape wonderfully, but what I found most appealing was the interactivity it offers. The design is such that the public can freely walk all over it's surface, all the way up to the top of the roof, giving marvellous panoramic views of Oslo. There is actually a real sense of 'fun' when you climb all over a building such as this, and the views are stunning. It's also a very relaxing and peaceful place by the water away from much of the city noise. The roof has also been designed with angles and paving materials conducive to skateboarding. That's right, skateboarding is encouraged on top of the Opera House! The interior comprises exquisite shapes and acoustics, and exhibits a number of contemporary artworks. The most famous piece of artwork at the site, She Lies, is a glass sculpture which floats permanently in the adjacent fjord.
Combining style, functionality, interactivity, atmosphere, and panoramic views like no other, Tarald Lundevall's Oslo Opera House is a fine example of modern urban architecture. Perhaps this kind of multi-purpose design is something we will see more of in cities of the future.
Images courtesy of Billy Haworth.
Mapping Local Food Growing in London
More and more people in cities are seeking ways to acquire good quality, sustainably sourced food without breaking the bank. In recent years a popular alternative in London to relying on supermarket food has been urban agriculture, or 'food gardening'. A few years ago Mikey Tomkins, researcher on food growing, was inspired by the local food growing that was already happening in his local borough, as well as the potential space he saw for even more food growth, to produce the 'Edible Map' of Hackney. The map highlights everything from urban space for short and long session veg and fruit trees to compost and worm farms. Mushrooms are even grown in garages and bees kept for honey on rooftops.
The Edible Map isn't just a list of place markers, it tells stories of the local community, it allows residents to assess their own local food growth, and it encourages others to join in. One of the most encouraging things about this initiative is that the maps are infinitely changing and growing, and the potential for transfer to other areas is great. And in fact it's already spreading. Mikey ran tours through Hackney with his Edible Map, educating people of the importance and potential for local food growth. Today Edible Maps are also available for Surrey Street in Croyden, and Elephant & Castle in south London. The Royal Geographical Society in London has also collaborated with Tomkins to add a walk through Hackney using the Edible Map to their Discovering Britain walks series, available to anyone for free via their website. The maps are interactive, fun, and informative, and a positive step for food sustainability, quality and affordability in our cities.
The interactive Edible Map is here.
The Royal Geographical Society walk is here.
Image courtesy of Mikey Tomkins
'Bicing' in Barcelona
Beginning in 2007, 'Bicing' is Barcelona's city-wide bike share system. It's aim is to cover small and medium daily routes across the city in an environmentally sustainable way. With a Mediterranean climate, cycling is also the most comfortable form of transportation around the city!
Although not yet 'tourist friendly' (with the need to pre-register with a local address), the bike sharing system has been received by locals with great enthusiasm. It now covers approximately 70% of the city and several neighbouring cities have asked to extend the service to their region as well.
After the success of the Vélib' scheme in Paris, the 'Boris' bike share system in London (aka Barclays) and Stockholm City Bikes in Sweden, among others, bike shares seem to be a growing trend in cities all across Europe. I've been surprised to see how widely used these schemes remain even during the coldest and most dismal winter days... Will bike share systems soon replace the dominance of the car?
Photo courtesy Suzanne Wales.
Santorini: Greece’s Island Paradise!
Picture a whole island covered in white stone and blue dots. This is the view of Santorini, Greece, where the white stone buildings and picturesque views are mirrored in the crystal blue waters. Located approximately 200km southeast of Greece’s mainland, Santorini is a daily paradise for locals and a must visit for anyone interested in a slower island lifestyle.
After some exploring, it becomes clear that Santorini is the keeper of natural beauty. Not only can you see amazing colours in the buildings, streets and locals, but Santorini’s beaches; coloured either red, white or black (personally red is my favourite), is also the perfect location to watch the most romantic sunsets in the world.
There are a lot of day tours which allows you to adventure up a volcano to see the amazing beauty from a point, visiting a hot springs to allow your body to relax, seeing the incredible sunset, which believe me could almost be ‘photoshopped’ and taking that stereotypical, yet enjoyable ride on a donkey.
If tours aren’t for you, or you are lucky enough to have more days on the Island then one of the easiest and cheapest way to move around is on a quad bike. A ride through the windy island allows you to investigate what Santorini has to offer at your own pace, as well as receiving quite a vivid view of the whole island from its houses, churches, beaches, and even the light house which is among one of the oldest lighthouses it that part of the world.
Not only will you taste and smell that salty air, but the seafood, or other local meals are filled with flavour, that either just melts in your mouth, or razzles those tastebuds. Here, your meals will most likely be cooked and served by locals of Santorini, and you’ll know it’s good as many restaurants you go to other diners themselves will be the islands local people.
Santorini should not be missed when travelling to the Greek Islands as your eyes will not forget the colours or amazing beauty, your mouth will not forget the authentic, tasty foods, and your body will not forget the opportunity to lay and relax on either one or more of the incredible beaches.
Career path...
Artist and urban creative Candy Chang (creator of the famous “Before I Die”project) was commissioned to create public art for Turku, Finland’s 2011 European Capital of Culture events. She decided to focus her art on a popular bike and pedestrian path that takes students from their residences to the nearby university. The path is known locally as Uraputki, or “Career Path”. In what she says is to “remind students of a larger picture”, Candy turned to path into an interactive art space where students and pedestrians fill in the gaps in the sentences “When I was little I wanted to be ____. Today I want to be ____” using coloured chalk.
Candy has said that the project “is about comparing yourself today and when you were young, reflecting on how you’ve changed or stayed the same, and thinking about the desires you had as a child.”