Published: 22 June 2023
Text: Anne-Marie Korseberg Stokke
Photo: Angelique Culvin-Riccot
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If you arrive at Oslo Science Park by subway, either to the station with the same name or via Blindern T, you will pass through areas that have been designed to enhance the biodiversity in the area.
"In the pond located between the University of Oslo's Department of Informatics and the Science Park, there is already a rich ecosystem teeming with animals and insects, and in time, there may even be fish as well," says Erik Ersnes, the technical manager at Oslo Science Park.
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The pond is a collaboration between the university, the Oslo municipality, and Oslo Science Park. The plan is for stream Gaustadbekken to be directed into the pond, then flow past Blindern T, and eventually down to Frogner Park.
There are not many grass lawns around the park, and soon there will be even fewer:
"A lawn is essentially a green desert, so we now aim to gradually replace grass with native flowers that can serve as food for insects," says Erik.
"Will there be a full bloom already this summer?"
"Some flowers have already sprung up in the garden near the Living Kitchen cafeteria. We will grow more species here, but it will take time before it is in full bloom."
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"If you take a stroll on the rooftop garden of the Gaustadtoppen meeting venue, you will discover a variety of flowers that have been specially selected to enhance biodiversity," says Erik. "Plus, it's incredibly beautiful up there!"
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Architect Niels Torp's plan for Oslo Science Park was to create a building for "spontaneous communication," where researchers would be encouraged to leave their offices. It was designed to be easily dismantled again—and it might even turn out to be ugly.
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"Five days a week in the office, please." That was the message the tech-giant Amazon recently sent to its corporate employees. Could it be that the post-pandemic rush of freedom has subsided, and we are slowly but surely realizing that a good work environment cannot be sent via email?
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Over 3,000 people from academia, research and business have their daily workplace in Oslo Science Park, midway between Gaustad and Blindern in Oslo. Our tenants form a unique ecosystem for innovation, value creation and commercialization of research.
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The initiative to replace the grass lawns surrounding Oslo Science Park with flower meadows started in the summer of 2023. This will benefit the area's biological diversity and provide an insect sanctuary. Now, the children at Forskningsparken Montessori kindergarten are working on their own accommodation for small critters.
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