Thursday 4/9/15
The wife of our geology professor gave us a tour of the city and its architecture. We began at the geology department of the university with a lecture on cities planning for future high sea levels and heavy rain storms. The city is built on a major river and low land. All future buildings and infrastructure must be able to take a meter or more of water.
Gothenburg was established four times before Gustavus Adolphus established its current location in 1621. They will celebrate 400 years in 2021. It was a vital city for trade and defense against the Norwegians and Danes. Currently there are 540,000 people within city limits and one million total.
We visited the City Info Center downtown which was built to create a dialogue with the citizens about how to develop and heal the city after all the shipbuilding companies had to close. 1930s to the 1980s, Goteborg built the most ships, of all types, than any other city in the world. However, the golden age ended and now no building or repairing of ships occurs in Goteborg. Fortunately, the city of Goteborg bought into an American idea early on that many thought was hair brained. They invested in standard shipping containers that are now vastly used!
The wife of our geology professor gave us a tour of the city and its architecture. We began at the geology department of the university with a lecture on cities planning for future high sea levels and heavy rain storms. The city is built on a major river and low land. All future buildings and infrastructure must be able to take a meter or more of water.
Gothenburg was established four times before Gustavus Adolphus established its current location in 1621. They will celebrate 400 years in 2021. It was a vital city for trade and defense against the Norwegians and Danes. Currently there are 540,000 people within city limits and one million total.
We visited the City Info Center downtown which was built to create a dialogue with the citizens about how to develop and heal the city after all the shipbuilding companies had to close. 1930s to the 1980s, Goteborg built the most ships, of all types, than any other city in the world. However, the golden age ended and now no building or repairing of ships occurs in Goteborg. Fortunately, the city of Goteborg bought into an American idea early on that many thought was hair brained. They invested in standard shipping containers that are now vastly used!
A statue of Poseidon on the Avenue in the city center.
Yellow brick is a signature of the town. The brick is actually from Germany or England.
The Avenue, a main street. The sidewalks are very wide because all the buildings use to be expensive houses with gardens out front.
A statue dealing with peace. Another copy is out front the UN building in New York.
Unfortunately many old buildings were torn down and modern ones put up. Here shows the contrast of the old and new.
A french renaissance style building.
Statue of Gustavus Adolphus. Story goes he pointed to the ground and declared this will be the spot of the new city.
Model of the central part of Goteborg at the city info center.
Paget at the top of a tower overlooking the river
City Info Center
The famous cranes for Goteborg shipbuilding
The tower we were at for a bird's eye view of the city
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