Nordre aker
Oslo, Norway
Industrial buildings are integrated into a vibrant new neighbourhood development. Pictured is the former Bakke Mølle building from 1900, a pedestrian promenade, and a popular bathing area along the river Akerselva at Nydalen. There are multiple bathing areas, paths, and bridges crossing the river, in addition to outdoor callisthenics stations for street workouts, enhancing the active lifestyles in the area.
Nordre Aker
Nordre Aker is north of the city centre, bordered by the forest in the north and east. The name Aker was taken from a historic farm, which was located near the Old Aker church (located in St Hanshaugen bydel) and points to the area's earlier pastoral setting. Sognsvann is a lake immediately north of the line's terminus metro station. Maridalsvannet, a water body that borders the district, provides Oslo with its drinking and is the source of the Akerselva, a river which flows through the district and Oslo to the fjord.
Nordre Aker is home to a remarkable nexus of housing projects and educational and sports institutions. Historically, the district predominantly consisted of single-family houses with a few block-typology developments constructed before the Second World War. Notable is Ullevål Hageby, a residential garden city. It is the largest "garden city" in the country. Planned initially between 1918 and 1926, this municipally driven progressive housing development aimed to create compact neighbourhoods outside the city. The city has grown up around the area, and the historic planning maintains a unified idyllic character of single dwellings, row housing and duplexes of brick with tiled roofs linked by a concatenation of green spaces, yards, and pocket gardens drawing inspiration from the English garden city model.
Nordre Aker has the most workplaces of the districts in the outer city, many connected to educational and research institutions. The district is home to the main campus of the University of Oslo, along with the campus for medicine and odontology at Rikshospitalet. The University's buildings in Forskningsparken ("the Research Park"), the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the Norwegian School of Management, and the National Archives all reside in the district.
Nordre Aker district is between the inner city in the south and Nordmarka in the north along both sides of the river Akerselva.
The Nydalen area, along the river downstream of Maridalsvannet, has experienced significant commercial and residential development since the late 1990s. The developments integrate historic buildings with modern developments in mixed-use neighbourhoods. Wooden homes and redbrick buildings are interspersed with glass-enclosed office blocks. In 2003, a new subway station opened, further facilitating connectivity within the area. The influx of residential buildings in the late 2000s has nurtured a growing, well-connected neighbourhood adjacent to the Akerselva. The district's planning includes diverse housing options situated close to public transportation and interconnected with expansive parks and fields. Riverside trails provide access to swimming spots.
The district has key institutions operating at the intersection of the sports and education interests including: The Norwegian Institute of Sports Science (NIH), a state-owned scientific university focusing on education and research in sports science; Ullevål Stadion, the largest football stadium in Norway and home to the national football team as well as the headquarters for large parts of the administration of Norwegian sports, such as Norwegian Athletics Association; Oslo's largest fitness centre, Domus Athletica, houses two swimming pools, training rooms, a cycling hall, ball courts and a physiotherapy department. The facility is the headquarters of the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo.
