REVITALIZING MØLLENDALSELVEN
INGRID AAS AND LINN HANDAL
Supervisors: Marianne Skjulhaug and Kelly Shannon
How can landscape design change the way water structures such as rivers and creeks are seen? The major problems
of Møllendalselven have been identified as a lack of water, pollution and flooding. The project develops a storm-wa-
ter strategy for the watershed, which will result in a more regular flow of water in the river. Leading clean water
from the roofs and from the mountain to the river will solve the pollution problem connected to the pressure on an
under-dimensioned pipe system. Cleaning polluted storm-water from roads is a strategy incorporated in the blue-
green structure. With predicted future climate changes, Bergen is facing challenges connected to water. Bergen is
the city with most rainy days in Europe. Today, Møllendalselven is the only open river close to the city. However,
it lacks both recreational and ecological values. There are major transformation plans for areas surrounding the
river, yet the problems connected to the river itself are neglected. The project focuses on three strategic projects,
where the surroundings and the river come together in highly public civic structures for Bergen. The river will
function as a water armature where urban activities can evolve in connection to the blue-green structure.
