Narvik

Narvik functions as a port for shipping iron ore from the mines in Kiruna for the Swedish company LKAB. The mines in Kiruna is said to have the largest occurrence of iron ore in the world. As such, this is an industry that stands strong in Narvik. Yet, it is part of the reason why the town has become monofunctional in terms of production.

Recent development in the population of Narvik shows stagnation as students and young people leave the town after having ended their studies. As a counter measure, Narvik wants to invest in the young and a future that offer a broader specter of jobs and opportunities. The town has put focus on developing the existing knowledge-based production. Being the regional town of upper secondary schools, having a campus in the Arctic University of Norway and a research park with special emphasis on engineering, provides a good starting point.

Narvik has decided to use theTechnical Quarter as part of the strategy.

Narvik wants to invest in the young and a future that offers a broader spectre of jobs and opportunities. The town has put the focus on developing the existing knowledge-based production. Being the regional town of upper secondary schools, and having a university and a research park with a special emphasis on engineering, provides a good starting point. Narvik has decided to utilize the ‘Technical Quarter’ as part of this strategy.

The Technical Quarter holds a position in between the Town Hall and Bromsgård Park. Bromsgård Park is a fenced area owned by the mining company that represents the cornerstone industry in Narvik. Tangent to the site is the main road, ‘Kongensgate’. The site is comprised of seven buildings. Up to recently, most of the buildings have temporarily hosted some of the functions of the Town Hall as this building has been renovated. Now, however, a significant share of the locations will be emptied, and the site is ready to be transformed and to take on new functions.

Narvik has decided to use the Technical Quarter as part of the strategy. The Europan site will in the future become an arena in the town center where the next generation of Narvik can live, socialize, produce and start up their own businesses. The town believes that the Technical Quarter can become an arena that foster production, connects programs, and benefits the ongoing transformation of the town centre. The activities on the site will contribute in the long run to influence the economic and social diversity of Narvik.

The town envisions that the Technical Quarter will have a broad spectrum of programs, such as student housing, flexible spaces for events, co-working spaces, workshops, commercial space and a teaching center for physics. This is an opportunity to test the ‘Productive City’ on a level of a city block.