Program
Where does the limit lie for when people say stop? "This is as far as the water can reach, but no more." And what landscape values do the residents of Kalmar care about; what should be protected, moved, or preserved in other ways? In digital animations, you will see how Sylvander Park and the quays are flooded, and in a simple analog installation, you can mark what you think about the future. The landscape architect seeking contact is researcher and professor Carola Wingren, SLU Uppsala.
The year is 2123 and humanity has not succeeded in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels. The global temperature has risen by almost 6 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. Due to melting polar ice, the sea level in Kalmar has risen by 1.77 meters from today’s level. The city has implemented various strategies over the years to adapt to the new sea level. In Sylvander Park, the shoreline has gradually been allowed to move inwards towards Tjärhovsgatan according to a flexible planning strategy. The park has become a wetland where the city and nature meet in the middle of Kalmar.
Visitors will see the park’s transformation from 2023 to 2123 in an animation where one of SMHI’s climate models has been interpreted into future images of an iconic location in Kalmar.
A day at the beach on the coast in summer means not only sea and sun but also fun and laughter. Reflecting on what rising sea levels do to beloved places and landscapes is serious, but we also need to allow ourselves to play with the idea of a positive future even as the sea rises. What thoughts does a higher sea level bring to you, and how are you affected? What concerns do you see and what opportunities? How high does the water actually reach for you?
We open up for a more playful discussion with visitors about a serious topic. Based on an animation of a flooded Selander Park and SGI’s maps of how the sea is expected to rise and flood parts of Kalmar, visitors are given the opportunity to playfully place themselves in relation to a fictional sea level. Take a polaroid picture and post it along with your thoughts about the sea level and your future landscape. You contribute to an increased understanding of people’s views on their future by the sea.
