Unlike the other Cool Cities pilots, Nytorget builds on a temporary intervention before the main works. In 2020, Palleparken (Pallet Park) was set up, praised for its greenery, informal atmosphere, and meeting places with play and seating. Although not part of Cool Cities, Palleparken provided valuable insights that now inform the ongoing pilot, helping shape design, climate adaptation, and monitoring strategies.
About the pilot
The Nytorget pilot is located in Storhaug, between Stavanger’s city centre and the eastern part of the city. It was selected because of high heat exposure, limited shade, and extensive hard surfaces such as asphalt and cobblestone. Historically, the square was dominated by car traffic and parking, resulting in environmental and social challenges. While heat stress was not the original driver, climate adaptation has become a key focus, including stormwater management and heat mitigation. The design phase is complete and implementation is underway, with tree planting, green profiles, and rain gardens as initial measures, and full integration of shade and greenery planned within the next two years.
Visualization of the square in Stavanger.
Photo: https://stavangerbyarkiv.no/nettutstillinger/nytorget/
What makes this approach unique?
Nytorget stands out by integrating climate adaptation with urban regeneration. Instead of a traditional traffic-focused design, the project prioritizes pedestrian comfort, shade, and greenery. Key interventions include a green profile along the square with new trees and rain gardens, strategic shading of the lower square that preserves sunny areas while providing relief from heat, and stormwater management solutions that reduce surface runoff and improve the local microclimate. The pilot also contributes to Stavanger’s Cool Network by positioning Nytorget as a potential coolspot and strengthening connected routes through the city centre.
Expected results
“Nytorget, en kulturell møteplass!” - a cultural meeting place - reflects the ambition of the project’s next phase. By summer 2026, the green infrastructure at Nytorget is expected to be fully installed, transforming the square into a car-free, vegetated urban space.
The project aims to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of future heatwaves while significantly improving citizens’ well-being. Through increased greenery, shade, and climate-resilient design, Nytorget will offer a cooler, more comfortable environment that encourages social interaction, recreation, and everyday use strengthening its role as a central cultural and social meeting place in Stavanger.