Oslo project wins DIFA regeneration award

MUNICH - Oslo' s former docklands have won the 2006 DIFA prize for urban regeneration and been hailed as one of Europe' s most desirable districts. The new Aker Brygge district beat off competition from 75 entries across 16 European countries to claim the title, which was announced at the Expo Real real estate trade fair.

Awarded every two years by German fund manager Deutsche Immobilien Fonds (DIFA), the prize aims to recognise real estate projects which have made a lasting contribution to quality of life. 'Aker Brygge is exemplary in the way it has boosted Oslo' s growth,' said jury member Dr Frank Billand. 'It has enhanced quality of life by creatively combining architecturally impressive new buildings and converted landmark properties.'

Redevelopment of Aker Brygge began in 1984, after the city’s shipyards moved to the west coast of Norway. In their place, developers created a series of retail, leisure, housing office and leisure complexes, which now attract more than six million visitors a year.

Tenants too, have flooded to the site. All 250,000 m² of floor space have been rented out, and a waiting list has been set up of retailers desperate to get a foothold in the district. The project has also created 5,000 new jobs - more than existed in the days of the shipyards.

'We often hear about inner city areas being deserted,' said Billand. 'But with projects like this, they don't need to be. Things like Aker Brygge give our cities the edge they need to attract more workers, tourists and investment capital.'

Eastern Germany was also highlighted in the awards, with second place going to the Neue Mitte regeneration project in Chemnitz city centre and third to Leipzig' s Am Karl-Heine-Kanal district.