Vika Masterplan

Vika, a rapidly transforming Oslo neighborhood between Slottsparken and the fjord, presents exciting opportunities for positive change and increased public life. While many new built initiatives were planned, most of the existing urban spaces lacked quality, maintenance, and connectivity.

The 2020 urban masterplan, developed by SLA in collaboration with Vika Grunneierforum (‘Vika Landowner Forum’) and Storebrand Eiendom, addresses these challenges and includes a strategic development plan.

SLA has consulted Grunneierforum Vika (‘Vika Landowner Forum’) and local business actors since 2015. Since the beginning, the scope has been to facilitate increased public life and get more out of Vika’s existing urban spaces. SLA’s 2020 masterplan is based on thorough analyses and has already led to an extensive upgrade of Vika’s streetscape.

The plan is linked to several urban spaces in Vika designed by SLA, such as VIA Vika and Ruseløkkveien, the urban spaces at Sommerro, and Ambassaden — the ongoing transformation of the former US embassy.

Vika: Challenges and opportunities

Vika is a remarkably diverse neighborhood located in the middle of the city. Here, you find both housing, business, public institutions, culture, and urban life. All this makes Vika an exciting district where new connections and urban spaces can take shape and have great power to create positive change.

Vika’s central location is in many ways optimal but has, after the closure of the Vestbanen railway line in 1989, been characterized by its unclear role in the cityscape. Very few people live in the Vika area, and this has led to little activity and public life.

Attractive urban spaces and streets are crucial components in a lively, inviting, and sought-after neighborhood. In Vika, however, good connections towards the fjord, the Oslo town hall, and the new Filipstad development are currently weak.

New strategic measures

The 2020 urban masterplan introduces new strategic measures, future-oriented programming, and upgrades to streets and traffic patterns that emphasize the possibilities for car-free public life.

Key considerations include adapting spaces to the city’s topography with a focus on universal design, cohesive city floors, climate adaptation, climate-adaptation, planting strategy, urban interior, as well as experiential qualities. These measures are designed to reflect the area’s central location and historical context.

A family-friendly neighborhood

The new spaces will also make the neighborhood more suitable for families with children. With good opportunities for play, ball courts, meeting places, and a green path network running through Vika, the area can soon become the city center’s most family-friendly neighborhood.

The plan aims to offer residents and users green, aesthetic experiences while improving connections for pedestrians and cyclists. In the coming years, new urban spaces and buildings will create new connections down to the fjord, up to Slottsparken and change Vika’s urban qualities profoundly.