Thorbjörn Andersson: The Panorama Terrace in Rinkeby is a viewing platform overlooking the large recreational area named the field of Järva. The terrace is joined with a sloping pathway, leading down to the field which is part of one of Stockholm’s seven green wedges, ca 30 km long.

But the project also has other dimensions. Rinkeby is a socio-economically vulnerable area in northern Stockholm with high unemployment and generally a low education level. The residents represent approximately 30 nationalities. Many are war refugees seeking asylum in Sweden. Rinkeby is home to about 16 000 people in an environment which is typical for the 1970s: industrially produced housing in pre-fab elements, extensive garage decks, and public space of poor quality. The infrastructure system is based on a peripherical ring road with dead-end streets leading into the middle. The ring road creates a barrier, emphasizing the contained character of Rinkeby.

At the eastern edge runs a 4-lane highway towards Oslo, effectively separating Rinkeby from the Järva field. There is a 8 meters change in elevation between the higher housing area and the lower field. In 2007, a political vision was set to improve the social and environmental quality of Rinkeby. This included creating a generous connection between the housing area and the recreational area. 

First step was building a tunnel for the highway, making it possible for pedestrians to pass over the tunnel roof. Second step was adding housing and a public park on top, disguising the tunnel. The park eventually reaches the panorama terrace, which has a dramatic position right at the edge of the tunnel trough. At the southern side of the terrace a promenade opens, leading down to the field. The promenade was named the Pendente, after the Italian term for a sloping path.