Culture

A Brief Look at Urban Planning in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has become a paragon of urban planning & urban design over the last 70 years. Let’s take a look at some of the tenets of the city’s urban design and why these aspects have come not only to define the way of life in Copenhagen but also serve as a template for what is possible in cities around the world.

 

 


 

Bikes Down the Alleyway in Copenhagen
 
I won’t go into all the benefits of a cycling city, but if you’d like to find out more, Copenhagenize is a good place to start. Check out their sidebar, with a running meter for how many kilometers Copenhageners have cycled on a given day.

Nearly 40% of People living in Copenhagen cycle daily! Biking in Vesterbro Copenhagen | Scandinavia Standard

 


 

Danish Parliament Arch | Scandinavia Standard

 


 

Superkilen via e-architect.co.uk | Scandinavia Standard
 
Scandinavia has been on the cutting edge of playground development for years, moving away from conventional structures and using more imagination-based play for children. The beloved Rebskoven (Forest of Ropes) funded by Københavns Kommune (Copenhagen City Council) was created as part of a competition to promote use of public space. Made up of 3,500 lengths of vertical hanging rope, this temporary installation that moves around the country is a magical and surreal playing experience for children and adults alike.

Even permanent playgrounds in Copenhagen, such as the one in the center of recently rebuilt Nørrebroparken, incorporate fun pieces like a sunken-ship structure.

Rope Forest Copenhagen via Le Pamphlet | Scandinavia Standard

 


 

The new Metro ring or circle line in the centre of Copenhagen is really exciting! Check out the contruction plan here | Scandinavia Standard
 

New metro line copenhagen | Scandinavia Standard
 

This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Urban Planning & Urban Design in Copenhagen. We didn’t even get into how this affects public health and the economy. Are you an expert or an enthusiast? Tell us what you think!

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Rebecca Thandi Norman

Rebecca Thandi Norman is a co-founder and Editor-in-Chief at Scandinavia Standard.