Breaking the Island

"Breaking the Island" focuses on transforming a former oil harbor in Karlskrona, Sweden. Karlskrona, a city comprising 30 islands, reclaimed land in the early 20th century for economic growth. Among these reclaimed lands is the project site, originally filled to establish an oil harbor between the mainland and the main island. However, subsequent industrial decline rendered it a desolate wasteland. As the primary entrance to the city center, this abandoned land undermines Karlskrona's coastal identity, hampering its social and economic development while posing ecological threats.

Applying the Structuralism theory, Xiaozhen Li conceptualizes Karlskrona's landscape into three layers: mountain, city center, and ocean. She argues that the abandoned industrial layer disrupts the site's original relationships with these layers, weakening the city's identity. To address this, the site is divided into three parts, each integrating landscape qualities from the respective layers to restore the original structural relationships. This approach establishes a coherent spatial rhythm, accentuating the site's role as Karlskrona's entrance and reinforcing its identity as a coastal city. Furthermore, the design interventions bolster ecological resilience and enhance the marine environment.

The transformed industrial site is envisioned as a Creative Cultural Park, serving a dual purpose. It supports the burgeoning IT sector, facilitating Karlskrona's strategic transition from an industrial city to a knowledge-based hub. Simultaneously, it functions as a recreational park, fostering social integration between non-native and local communities. This urban conversion revitalizes the economy, fosters innovation, and encourages social cohesion, propelling Karlskrona towards a sustainable future.