Copenhagen- The Liveable City

Undermined by its own success the city is far more than its beautiful architecture, envious location on the harbour and a city for cyclists.  

Copenhagen is the Capital of Denmark and its most populous city at 1,246,611 (2014), up from 541,989 in 2011. Famed for the use of cycles to get across the city, the 2014 bicycle account shows that 45% of all journeys to places of work or education in Copenhagen are made by bicycle.  Such is the cities commitment to the cyclists and the creation of a more walk-able city that during periods of snow the cycle paths are cleared first and it’s working with 70% of regular cyclists doing so all year round, come rain, shine, or snow! An impressive increase of 25% in two years. 

In recent history the city has adopted a vision for the city founded on the belief that it should

‘consider Urban Life, before Urban Space, and consider Urban Space before buildings.’

The municipality have a good understanding of what Copenhageners want in and from their city determined from the Urban Life account that they conduct. This survey determines what is important and allows the municipality to ensure that it is working for the people. The have also appointed a city architect, Tina Saaby, who oversees and co-ordinates the large scale development and implementation of the city vision. Tina works in an advisory capacity and is uniquely able to disagree with developers, colleagues and politicians alike where necessary in order to fulfil the vision for the city as determined by its people. They adopt a Placemaking approach within a flexible Master-plan and have a refreshing ability to realise their vision overcoming boundaries with creativity. Tina describes the installation of a trampoline along the path of the harbour front as an invitation to all to play and calling the installation ‘art’ enabled them to overcome health and safety restrictions that would have otherwise prevented it.

They also have huge regard for investing in the long term, placing teams in locations across the city that are identified as requiring changes, physically or regarding imbalances of the demographic make-up for up to 5 years ensuring that they can truly understand the needs and challenges of the community before they look to create the spaces for change.

Recent reports in the UK by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation demonstrate the sever implications and risks of increasing lonliness and isolation in the UK, particularly amongst older people. Copenhagen have recognised the value in creating spaces that invite people to spend time, enjoy the city, observe as well as engage. The city has purposefully implemented Public Spaces, carefully designed to allow people to sit, enjoy and engage regardless of age because they design for children and the elderly so as to meet the needs of all. On the Gehl study of Public Life a greater understanding of the population’s movement and use of space, in conjunction with comparable data sets means that spaces can be created that allow people to feel invited to use the space.

The city does have high regard and commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2025. An estimated 75% of the CO2 reductions will come from initiatives relative to the increase share of renewable energy in the city’s district heating.

Reflecting a little on the similarities between Freiburg and Copenhagen are three intrinsic characteristics; the creation of good quality spaces for people, ambitious environmental targets and finally strong, democratic municipalities who undertake their role as a facilitator as opposed to gate-keepers.