In a two-year initiative, AF Bostäder has renovated and renewed the outdoor environment at Ulrikedal. In addition to technical maintenance and improved waste systems, the initiative has given the students secure, well-lit bicycle parking spaces, pleasant areas for socialising where lawns and meadows are interspersed with barbecue areas, boule court, outdoor gym and much more.
Ulrikedal is one of AF Bostäder’s largest and more well-liked housing areas, located in the heart of Lund’s central student thoroughfare, close to Studentlyckan, Gylleholm and Parentesen. The area, built in 1964, was designed by Hans Westman and is well-known for its green and airy designed outdoor environment.
“Architecture and landscape design has a big influence on our wellbeing and how we feel,” says Peter Molin, Building Project Manager at AF Bostäder. “Previously, paths and lawns were seen primarily as something functional. Now, we rather plan with social and environmental sustainability in mind, so that the outdoor environment provides added value for both the tenants and the surrounding community. Ulrikedal has considerable cultural value and we have chosen to preserve certain parts, such as the big trees and stratified areas of grass, but otherwise the area has had a considerable revamp.”
After an initial preliminary study in 2018, the project was carried out in two stages, starting in 2020. By early 2021, everything had been completed. The work has been characterised by a dynamic working method in which ideas from the landscape architect and contractor have been paired with the caretakers’ experience and the students’ wishes.
“Our customer surveys show that the students would like their own, numbered bicycle parking spaces,” says Peter Molin. “Social spaces are also high on the wishlist, not least for those who live in apartments with no communal spaces, and that’s something we are positive about. This is a place where people from all over the world meet, and if it is perceived as being easy to get to know each other, that’s not only an important part of student life, but also important for how we feel.”
The new outdoor environment is divided into different activity zones. Among other things, there are barbecue areas, newly laid boule courts, a beach volleyball court that has been revamped and has new terraced seating, and sun loungers with USB ports. The students also have new trees, bushes and flower beds, better lighting for improved security and, of course, the highly sought-after personal bicycle parking spaces – one per tenant, with good lighting and fixed locking cables.
“The new green spaces consist to a large extent of meadows, and we can decide ourselves about which parts we cut down to short grass and which areas we allow to grow,” says Peter Molin. “Wild, uncut areas contribute to biodiversity and attract insects and birds.”
During the project, AF Bostäder has also carried out underlying groundwork, improved surface water conduits and drains, and enhanced run-off systems. In parallel, old sheds and storage units for waste have been replaced by the clean design of the Underground Waste System (UWS) and a new, tastefully designed building for bulky waste – the Green Room.
“At a UWS, all the containers for waste-sorting are underground,” says Peter Molin. “The only thing visible above ground is a discreet, letterbox-like opening. The system is clean, smart and enables an open and airy living environment. The UWSs are emptied using a quiet electric-powered crane onto a loading platform and then placed back in position immediately. This means less heavy transport in the area and also less littering. In addition, the UWSs help to increase waste sorting.”
“The Green Room is the name of our well-designed stations for bulky waste. It also has the popular recycling shelf where the students can hand in clean and intact items, and take something useful home,” concludes Peter Molin.
Latest update June 10, 2022