Groundbreaking project about 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, can today present 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 by the 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 launched under the auspices of Realdania.
"The idea is just as brilliant as it is simple," says harbor director Mogens Pedersen. "Of course, the flood barrier can just as well keep water in as out, and the thought of being able to hold 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 in flood barrier material at nearly 1.20 meters high.
"We have long known that we need to climate-protect 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 get not only protection against storm surges and rising seawater in general but also a unique attraction that can draw visitors from all over Europe."
The pool will have an area of over 2,600 square meters and can hold up to 3 million liters of water. When the pool is activated, it can be used for everything from swimming competitions to water yoga, and it will also serve as a vibrant, natural focal point for future events and happenings.
"We envision that the pool can be activated in the summer months and during special events like WATERZ," tells Mogens Pedersen. "The rest of the year, the area functions as normal, but with the added security that we are protected from flooding."
As a result of the good idea, there has also been American interest in the project. There has been expressed American goodwill to support the project if the basin 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 to make the project a little America in Hvide Sande, and therefore it is also a requirement that one of the upcoming houses on Sluseøen be a model of the White House. "But then the people in Hvide Sande must also step up and see the grandeur in the idea," states 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 for how the water can be sustainably heated using the city's existing energy infrastructure, which includes Denmark's most emission-neutral district heating supply.
If everything 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