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Cleaner Technology Projects in Denmark 1997
Miljørigtig projektering af udtjent industriområde i Herning
Arbejdsrapport nr. 37, 1997, Miljøstyrelsen
This report is part of a succession of work reports in phase 2 of the frame project
"Environmental Management". The result of phase 2 is "A Guide to
Environmental Management" which consists of method descriptions, guidelines,
environmental data and examples. In connection with the development of the guide, the
principles of environmental management are tested in a number of concrete demonstration
projects, including the present project, which deals with the environmental management of
a worn out industrial area.
The frame project is initiated by The Danish Environmental Protection Agency and
The National Council for Recycling and Less Polluting Technologies and implemented under
the management of The Danish Association of Consulting Engineers, F.R.I., in co-operation
with the Danish Council of Practising Architects, PAR, The Danish Building Research
Institute, The Danish Technological Institute and several builders’ organisations.
In 1994 phase 1 was concluded by publishing The Danish Environmental Protection
Agency’s Environment Project No. 253 with basic guidelines for environmental
management in project design.
A three-year long phase 2 encompasses further development and operationalization of
methods of environmental management in project design. A public hearing in 1997 will
conclude phase 2.
The most essential result of phase 2 is "Håndbog i Miljørigtig
Projektering" (A guide to Environmental Management in Project Design) which consists
of descriptions of methods, directions, environmental data and examples. While preparing
the guide, principles of environmental management in project design were tested by a
number of demonstration projects - including the present demonstration project on the
conversion of a worn-out industrial area to an environmentally
sustainable housing area in Herning Municipality. The project is also called DP7.
DP7 has been an integrated part of Byomdannelsesprojektet for Thrigesvejområdet (The
City Conversion Project for the area around Thrige’s Street) in Herning Municipality.
The project is initiated to realise the political decision - presented in the Municipality
Plan - of converting a worn-out industrial area to a sustainable housing area.
Parallel to DP7’s project period, Herning Municipality has been preparing a
masterplan in relation to The City Conversion Project In connection with DP7 an
environmental programme and an environmental activity plan with the purpose of integrating
the environmental programme into the masterplan were prepared.
The environmental programme and the activity plan sets out the framework and guidelines
for coming projects in the area, including both demolition and construction projects.
The main environmental problem in DP7 was the fact that it is not possible to make
environmental objectives outlined in the environmental programme legally binding in the
masterplan or succeeding local plans. Planloven (The Danish Planning Law) does not allow
this opportunity. Therefore the environmental activity plan presents inspiration, goodwill
and voluntariness as ways of realising The City Conversion Project.
Another main problem is a number of economic barriers to the realisation of The City
Conversion Project. The primary barrier is the scope for making the future economically
sustainable for the companies in the area. It is a barrier during the conversion and in
the case that the companies move out. It was proposed to establish a development company
to meet these barriers.
In the environmental activity plan the development company’s environmental
management is proposed to achieve the environmental objectives and targets outlined in the
environmental programme. But in reality the development company can do as it wishes.
From an environmental point of view a phase 1 of The City Conversion Project can be
initiated north of Tietgensgade (Tietgen’s Street), if one company moves from the
area or reduces noise nuisances from production activities. More environmental analysis is
needed before initiating succeeding phases.
Guidelines for introducing environmental sound measures are also presented in the
environmental programme - for example less polluting technology and recycling of building
materials. Furthermore, there are a number of ecological measures listed. A community
group that forms part of a local Agenda 21activities in Herning Municipality suggested
these measures. The ecological measures have to be environmentally assessed in coming
projects as they are not necessarily environmentally sound according to the principles
presented in A Guide to Environmental Management in project design.
Environmental management in project design has been a relevant method in DP7, but the
tools presented in "A Guide to Environmental Management" have not been of great
help. The main reason is that DP7 has had an area focus and the guide is - at the present
stage - primarily focused on buildings.
The town planners in Herning Municipality expressed that the environmental focus -
introduced to The City Conversion Project by DP7 - has been an important and positive
input into the traditional planning procedure.
One important experience from DP7’s work is that consultants have to be very well
prepared to present environmental management in project design to clients and especially
the consequences that are different from traditional project design. A clear presentation
of method and tools in "A Guide to Environmental Management in Project Design"
will be an important element in making environmental management in project design a
routine for the consultant and a standard demand from the client.
Author/ institution
Herning Kommune and RAMBØLL
This report is subsidised by the National Council for Recycling and Cleaner Production
ISSN no. 0908-9195
ISBN no. 87-7810-793-8
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