How is a city’s quality of life truly measured? Is it in the towering buildings of the wealthy or the sleek offices of global corporations? In reality, it comes down to the daily lives of ordinary people. The availability of affordable housing, the air quality, the ease of commuting, and accessible recreational spaces—these are the elements that shape a city’s livability. It’s these practical aspects that attract communities and make a city a place worth calling home.
Copenhagen: A Global Standard for Liveability
According to the 2024 Global Liveability Index, Copenhagen ranks as the world’s second most liveable city—an impressive feat it has achieved for the third year in a row. With a population of 1.4 million, the Danish capital may seem like a natural icon of liveability today, but this wasn’t always the case. Liveability wasn’t always in its DNA. In the 1960s, Copenhagen faced a severe recession and was nearly bankrupt, far from the vibrant, people-centred place it’s known as now.
So, what sparked Copenhagen’s transformation into the colourful, vibrant city we see today? How did it grow into a world-renowned symbol of liveability and human-centred design?
Reimagining Urban Transport
In the 1960s, Copenhagen was as congested with cars as any other major city, facing the dual challenges of recession and an oil crisis. Frustrated by the traffic and pollution, citizens began to advocate for a city where walking and cycling were prioritised alongside cars and public transport. In response to these aspirations, the government embraced a new vision for urban liveability, emphasising environmental sustainability in its planning efforts.
Shifting away from car-centric mobility for daily commutes, the city invested in an impressive 450 kilometres of dedicated bike lanes. This investment provided the working class with a faster, cleaner, and more affordable means of transportation for their daily activities.
Biking Towards Sustainability
The cycling culture in Copenhagen reflects the Danish way of life, where cycling is embraced by everyone, including urban planners and policymakers. Children are educated in traffic schools, and immigrants receive training to ensure a safe and inclusive cycling environment. This commitment to cycling is taken seriously, resulting in significant environmental benefits—saving up to 90,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and contributing to a higher life expectancy for the city’s residents.
Today, cycling accounts for 43% of daily commutes, while cars make up 25%. The extensive “Copenhagen Lanes” feature 1,000 kilometres of dedicated cycle tracks that connect every part of the city, creating a well-integrated network for mobility.
Evolving Urban Aspirations
Architect and urban designer Jan Gehl illustrates the city’s urban evolution as a response to the changing aspirations of its residents. Between 1960 and 1980, the focus was on pedestrian-centric street development, creating inviting pathways that encouraged people to walk. In the decade that followed, from 1980 to 1990, the priority shifted to beautifying urban squares and public spaces, reflecting a collective desire for places to sit and enjoy time with family and friends.
Today, urban dwellers seek spaces for recreation and activity, prompting a new goal of integrating sports facilities within the existing urban fabric.
Connecting Bike Bridges
The early patterns of the city were heavily influenced by its harbours, which divided the area into two parcels: one historically rich in economic value and the other relegated to the status of a wasteland. To address this divide, numerous bike bridges have been constructed with the aim of fostering connections. These bridges not only enhance mobility but also provide a joyful cycling experience, offering cool sunset spots that allow residents to take in stunning views of the city.
Not only has the focus been on traditional mobility solutions, but similar efforts have also been made in housing developments. A notable example is the 8 House, designed by BIG, which is located in the less vibrant area of the city. This project aims to bridge the gap between the two distinct parcels by creating a housing environment connected to the rest of the city through cycling slopes. By integrating these slopes, the VM House fosters opportunities for socialising and recreation, contributing to a more cohesive and vibrant urban landscape.
Harbours Reimagined
Historically, the city’s harbours served as the backbone of its economy. However, over the decades, they fell into negligence and became derelict. To revitalise these areas and foster connections within the urban ecosystem, the harbours have been transformed into vibrant centres of activity and social life.
The beautification of these derelict spaces, featuring bike recreation and sports facilities, has turned swimming into a major recreational hub. Now, residents eagerly anticipate weekends spent swimming and socialising with friends, breathing new life into the city’s waterfront.
Copenhagen: Where People Shape the City
“You don’t have a city if you don’t have people in it. The starting point is always the people.” This sentiment perfectly encapsulates Copenhagen’s journey toward becoming a model of liveability. The city’s success can be attributed to a fundamental aspect of its urban design: collaboration among stakeholders. From its initial development efforts in the 1960s, the emphasis has always been on inclusivity, prioritising the needs of the many rather than the few.
This bottom-up approach to planning, which integrates urban design with active community participation, has been instrumental in shaping one of the most liveable cities in the world. Copenhagen stands as a testament to the power of engaging residents in the urban planning process, illustrating that the heart of a thriving city lies in its people.
References:
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Building liveability: Copenhagen’s sustainable urban development. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCYgajPrT64 [Accessed 7 May 2021].
Denmarkdotdk (2012). Bicycle culture. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Url1pt8NgEo [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Copenhagen Urban Development. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKjzhiT4To.
Coolville feat.:The Life-Sized City (2024). The Life-Sized City – Copenhagen – S02 E03 – Full Episode. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfeSjqUfQwE [Accessed 3 Nov. 2024].
Copcap.com. (2024). Copenhagen is the second most liveable city in the world! [online] Available at: https://www.copcap.com/news-archive/copenhagen-is-the-second-most-livable-city-in-the-world.
