Linstow brought 100 KINE participants to the former Norwegian School of Veterinary Science

“We’re delighted to see such a strong turnout. There’s great value in sharing our ambitions, ways of working, and lessons learned so far. The former Veterinary School is one of Oslo’s most exciting development projects, and we believe it will be relevant to many across the industry—both professionally and commercially. At the same time, we naturally want to showcase what’s already happening here so even more people start using the area,” says Knut Løken, CEO of Linstow.

KINE is a knowledge-driven network with more than 300 members from a wide range of companies.

“It’s very generous of Linstow to invite the entire network to Adamstuen. The turnout shows there’s strong interest in how a long-term urban development project of this size is being delivered, and it’s exciting to see the progress up close,” says Kine Morud Aarum, Head of Marketing at KINE and one of the network’s founders.

Health-promoting urban development
A central theme of the event was how health is being integrated into the development process at Adamstuen. Together with SINTEF, Linstow has conducted an innovation and research project—Building Health—to understand how urban areas can be developed to encourage health-promoting behavior; in short, how to make it easier to make healthy everyday choices.

“Over a hundred years ago, new approaches to building played a key role in tackling the leading health challenge of the time: infectious diseases. The way we shape our built environments can also play a central role in addressing today’s biggest health challenge—lifestyle-related diseases,” says Hege Hidle Aaser, Managing Director of Linstow Health.

Infectious diseases were addressed through innovation on several fronts at once: public information improved hygiene among citizens; public health services evolved and could offer antibiotics and vaccines; and real estate developers began building homes with more light and air while cities invested in infrastructure such as waste management and sewer systems.

Today, the causes of disease are often linked to too little physical activity, loneliness, stress, and poor sleep—and researchers estimate that at least 70% of today’s disease burden is preventable.

“This is highly relevant for all of us who develop and operate real estate, because we are part of an ecosystem that influences how built environments look, how they affect people, and—crucially—how they’re used in daily life. We also believe the real estate sector has major potential to be the arena where health-promoting work actually happens—together with residents and service providers across the public, private, and non-profit sectors,” Aaser adds.

A lively new district
Participants also got insight into how Linstow is curating the tenant mix—both for commercial uses and ground-floor services. Tenants already established here range from Oslo New University College and Vestre to artists and startups. Linstow has also moved its own head office to the area from Tjuvholmen.

“We’re deliberate about who gets to lease here and help shape the place. Our goal is to fill the former Veterinary School with offers that build community and activate outdoor spaces—for residents, students, families, and other visitors. Our vision is an open, green, and sustainable urban life,” says Nina Sillibakken, Leasing Manager at Linstow.

A number of services and meeting places are already in place: a neighborhood restaurant, a long-awaited grocery store, a gym, and Bylivshagen—a free, green refuge for neighbors of all ages, to name a few. Linstow also aims to attract more food and beverage concepts—such as a bakery, wine bar, and pizzeria.

“Awareness of the area has grown significantly—and we’re seeing it used more and more. This is just the beginning; the potential is enormous. It’s also a fantastic setting for events and activities, as today’s backyard gathering shows,” Sillibakken concludes.

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Photo: Sindre Berg Ofstad