![\"copenhagenstation\"](\"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/landscapearchitecture\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/159\/sites\/445\/2019\/04\/copenhagenstation.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0Leaving from Copenhagen Central Station – what a lovely group – and…<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0arriving at Malmo Central.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0We started in the Western Harbour development by the main square overlooking the sea. This is where some of the SuDS water comes out and flows into the sea, after going through the wetland treatment systems within the development.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Another part of the SuDS system – expressed as a sculptural raised channel along the main thoroughfare.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Within the development are a series of retention basins with associated wetland planting to treat the water as well as providing biodiversity and public space value.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0The SuDS channels also create wonderful thresholds into the buildings – a small bridge with associated bench helps define the entrance to a housing development.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Much of the surface water flows into a central water body, some of which runs through a new park area and some between the back gardens of \u00a0the nearby houses, offering the opportunity to have a garden leading down to a living river.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0All the landscape detailing is interesting and intricate with decks overlooking open water adjacent to small bubbling pools that help oxygenate and clean the water, while creating wonderful sounds.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0The main park area by SLA Landscape Architects uses curvilinear edges and reedbeds to bring life to an open stretch of water.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 Hammocks provided for the students needing a mid afternoon nap.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0The ‘streets’ were primarily pedestrian with wetland planting\/SuDS systems incorporated into public spaces throughout.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 Jetty \/ bridges \/ structures designed like scuttling insects seem to have infiltrated the park – some used for access into wet woodland, some as seating in the open areas, and some allowing people to walk out over the water.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0The Turning Torso Tower by Santiago Calatrava – based on the vertebrae of the spine – is the only tall building in the area, acting as a landmark for the development as well as a site for the most spectacular views (if only we could have found a way to the top).<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 Crossing the road out of BO01 into the new surrounding developments – a large park has been created beside the local school providing sports\/play facilities for the entire area. A really interesting design with a subtle use of levels, planting and raised decks to give a sense of interest in an otherwise flat landscape.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Ropebridge within the park extending between two of the earthforms.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0We discovered another small park by SLA nearby with organic paving forms, raised planters with their typical reduced plant mix giving a strong aesthetic quality, and a central grass area for play.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Wandering around the surrounding development areas we discovered many interesting approaches to sustainability – the underground vacuum driven waste pipes, the extensive use of solar panels, wildflower meadows incorporated into the parks, SuDS expressed throughout, permeable paving everywhere, …<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0and multistorey parking buildings that have green walls (plants in planters incorporated into the building structure itself) with yellow nestboxes scattered all over the walls. Not only does it look interesting and covers up a potentially blank wall, but it is also fun, improves the microclimate, provides habitat, and makes a statement about the value of biodiversity in the urban environment.<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0In the centre of Malmo some of the students visitied the Design Centre in a small courtyard surrounded by timber framed medieval buildings \u00a0– great mix of old and new.<\/p>\n