Groundbreaking project around Byens Plads: Flood protection becomes the largest outdoor pool in the Nordics
In a groundbreaking example of innovative climate adaptation, Hvide Sande Harbor in collaboration with hvidesande.by today presents plans for a flood protection system with a unique dual function.
The upcoming flood protection around Byens Plads in the heart of the harbor town will not only protect the buildings along the harbor quay from rising water levels, but it will also transform the quay on Sluseøen into Northern Europe's largest outdoor pool. The project is part of the upcoming architectural competition to be held under the auspices of Realdania.
"The idea is just as clever as it is simple," says harbor director Mogens Pedersen. "Of course, the bulwark can just as easily keep water in as out, and the thought of being able to host Northern Europe's largest pool party on the quay in Hvide Sande is simply fantastic."
The innovative solution arose when hvidesande.by challenged the original plans for the flood protection, which were intended as an oversized fence made of bulwark timber at nearly 1.20 meters high.
"We have long known that we need to climate-proof Byens Plads against rising water levels. But why not turn the problem into an opportunity?" explains Christian Estrup from hvidesande.by. "With this solution, we not only get protection against storm surges and rising sea water in general, but also a unique attraction that can attract visitors from all over Europe."
The pool will cover an area of over 2,600 square meters and can hold up to 3 million liters of water. Once activated, the pool can be used for everything from swimming competitions to water yoga, thus also becoming a vibrant, natural focal point for future events and happenings.
"We envision that the pool can be activated during the summer period and during special events like WATERZ," tells Mogens Pedersen. "The rest of the year, the space functions as normal, but with the added security that we are protected against floods."
As a result of the good idea, there has also been American interest in the project. There is thus expressed American goodwill to support the project, if the pool can also serve as a shark tank in winter. Both Hvidesande.by and Hvide Sande Harbor are thus under significant pressure from a chief of staff in Vice President JD Vance's department that the project could become a little America in Hvide Sande, and therefore it is also a requirement that one of the upcoming houses on Sluseøen becomes a model of the White House. "But then the people of Hvide Sande must also pull themselves together and see the grandeur of the idea," says Chief of Staff Lipra Pilar the First to the American news media Ranslirpa.
Regardless of American wishes, the upcoming architectural competition will now include requirements that the flood protection must function both ways, as well as proposals on how the water can be heated sustainably using the city's existing energy infrastructure, which includes Denmark's most emissions-neutral district heating supply.
If all goes according to plan, the project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Contact:
• Mogens Pedersen, harbor director, Hvide Sande Harbor
• Christian Estrup, trade coordinator, hvidesande.by