Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to raise ideas and interest for land that is very much forgotten,
unused and neglected in terms of maintenance and usability. Railroads are often seen as a
dirty and loud intrusion in the landscape and therefore cities turn their backs on them. The
land around railroads is not considered useful despite its often central location and scrubland
is common in these areas.

The starting point of this work is the restrictions and possibilities linked to the land within
the security distance 30 meters from the railroad center. Within this security distance there
are numerous limitations and regulations due to the nature of railroad use. These limitations
are counted for in the initial chapter and lay the foundation for the rest of the work. Theory
studies and interviews compose the groundwork of the initial chapter where the properties of
the security distance are described. This analysis constitutes the framework of limitations and
possibilities in this thesis.

Every place and every city is unique. Therefore it is impossible to give a universal answer
to the question of how best to utilize the land within the security distance. I have therefore
chosen to look at this land from three diff erent perspectives - three different views of what
to do with the land from each perspective’s specific conditions. These views are general
and should as far as possible be interwoven, the most important aspect is to design with a
comprehensive view in order to put the experience of the landscape in focus.

My hopes are that the interest for this land will increase and that its potential will come into
focus instead of its problems. Since the land is often central in our cities it has high value and
hopefully functionality and aesthetics can work together to render an attractive environment.
The railroad is an important asset to every city and its central location is one of its biggest
competitive advantages. With a better use of space along the tracks there are advantages for
both general urban life and travelers.