Early beginnings
Early Copenhagen wasn’t much more than salt marshes and a few low-lying islets that serviced the small trading that went on here. In the 1100s the town of “Havn” (Harbour), became increasingly important because of its location and abundance of herring. The town was secured with earthworks. Earthworks are typically large artificial banks of soil, often used for defense. The presence of the Catholic Church was felt and seen during this time as they began to construct cathedrals in nearby Roskilde and Lund (in what is now Sweden). Havn became a small commercial town between the two cities regulating traffic and trading.
In around 1160 Arch Bishop Absalon advisor to King Valdemar I, was given what is now the City of Copenhagen. Most cities during this time in the Danish realm were under the governance of the king, however, in this case the Bishop of Roskilde was appointed lord of the land as a gift from King Valdemar I. The town experienced tremendous growth under Absalon as a result of the booming herring fishery trade. Churches and abbeys were established, representing some of Copenhagen’s earliest planning.
Copenhagen’s unique location was both positive and negative. As a hub of commerce it gained power and wealth but was threatened for those very same reasons. This led to stone wall fortification of the city during the 13th century.
Copenhagen was outfitted with modern fortification and earthworks courtesy of Christian the IV of Denmark.
In 1659 after having conquered most of Denmark the Swedes attempt to take Copenhagen.
For the next few hundred years Copenhagen experienced many attacks
It wasn't until the 1850's that Copenhagen was able to let down its guard.[1]
(Five) Finger Plan
Copenhagen is a successful urban network with many centers that is partially attributed to a development plan for Greater Copenhagen called “Egnsplan” (Finger Plan), which was created by the Danish Town Planning Institute in 1947. The ‘Five-finger Plan’ nickname is a product of its resemblance to a hand. The city center of Copenhagen is located in what would be considered the palm of the hand, with urban areas in linear corridors that extend out from the center and are connected by transit. The transit (mainly rail) provides residents easy access to the city center. Protected open green space between these corridors provides residents access to nature that is lacking in many urban developments. The protected green wedges simultaneously prevent further development helping keep the shape of the corridors and preventing over development. The finger plan has shaped the growth of Copenhagen for more than 60 years. The plan remains the basis for all regional planning as Copenhagen looks to gain more than 10,000 people a year for the next 20 years.[3]
The Finger Plan provides the public essentials for urban living: green space, bike paths, railways, and motorways. The people of Copenhagen should essentially have options in various aspects of urban living. Where people are located in relation to the city and the way they move through the city are key elements in the plan. Residents can be both close to the city center and to agricultural landscapes. This is possible through a well thought out and connected transportation system that links pedestrians with railways and bike paths.[4]
The Finger Plan provides the public essentials for urban living: green space, bike paths, railways, and motorways. The people of Copenhagen should essentially have options in various aspects of urban living. Where people are located in relation to the city and the way they move through the city are key elements in the plan. Residents can be both close to the city center and to agricultural landscapes. This is possible through a well thought out and connected transportation system that links pedestrians with railways and bike paths.[4]
2011 Municipal Plan
Copenhagen’s 2011 Municipal plan has the future growth of Copenhagen in mind, as the population is projected to reach 637,000 by the year 2025. The municipal plan includes the entire Oresund Region but concentrates on maintaining Copenhagen’s city character. The Oresund Region consists of Eastern Denmark and Southern Sweden. Plans to increase regional and international relationships include collaborative efforts with the City of Malmo, in Sweden. The goal is to make the Oresund Region Scandinavia’s greatest metropolis.
Copenhagen is a city for the people focusing on construction for children, better conditions for culture and leisure, improved quality of life for the homeless, targeted efforts to improve socially troubled neighborhoods, safety through joint efforts, more city gardens and a greener city. Investing in areas that will improve the quality of life of the citizens
Increasing connectivity in the Oresund Region means employment options are needed since the number of potential employees will increase. The goal is to create 20,000 new private sector jobs to accommodate this growth. Copenhagen must ensure that the growth is sustainable to maintain their position at the forefront of environmental and climate solutions. Implementing green urban solutions will play a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.
Focusing on transportation and circulation through the region investing in infrastructure projects will help Copenhagen be the city for alternative transportation. The vision is for a bike focused transit system. Ideally a third of city trips will be by bike, a third by public transportation, and no more than a third by car.
Focused development, in order to support the expected growth by 2025 the City of Copenhagen must prioritize development areas. Eight areas have been selected to undergo new action plans: Nordvest, Science City North Campus, Valby South, Sydhavn, Nordhavn, Kodbyen and Polititorvet, Nordost Amger, and Orestad.[5]
Copenhagen is a city for the people focusing on construction for children, better conditions for culture and leisure, improved quality of life for the homeless, targeted efforts to improve socially troubled neighborhoods, safety through joint efforts, more city gardens and a greener city. Investing in areas that will improve the quality of life of the citizens
Increasing connectivity in the Oresund Region means employment options are needed since the number of potential employees will increase. The goal is to create 20,000 new private sector jobs to accommodate this growth. Copenhagen must ensure that the growth is sustainable to maintain their position at the forefront of environmental and climate solutions. Implementing green urban solutions will play a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality by 2025.
Focusing on transportation and circulation through the region investing in infrastructure projects will help Copenhagen be the city for alternative transportation. The vision is for a bike focused transit system. Ideally a third of city trips will be by bike, a third by public transportation, and no more than a third by car.
Focused development, in order to support the expected growth by 2025 the City of Copenhagen must prioritize development areas. Eight areas have been selected to undergo new action plans: Nordvest, Science City North Campus, Valby South, Sydhavn, Nordhavn, Kodbyen and Polititorvet, Nordost Amger, and Orestad.[5]
Oresund Region
Partnership With Malmo, Sweden
Loop City
The Loop City plan is the next step in connectivity of this region, effectively using the Oresund Bridge to create a large loop that will connect suburban cities of Copenhagen to a ring of regional centers.
[1]https://subsite.kk.dk/sitecore/content/Subsites/CityOfCopenhagen/SubsiteFrontpage/LivingInCopenhagen/CultureAndLeisure/~/media/B41A385F819F42CBBC31D1BAAFF9EDD1.ashx
[2] Bruel, Michaela. "Copenhagen, Denmark: Green City Amid the Finger Metropolis." Green Cities of Europe: Global Lessons on Green Urbanism. By Timothy Beatley. Washington, DC: Island, 2012. 83-89. Print.
[3]Jorgensen, John. "Evolution of the Finger Structure." (n.d.): 187-97. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
[4]Cahasan, Paul, and Arielle F. Clark. "Copenhagen, Denmark." (n.d.): n. pag.Historical Facts about Copenhagen. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.
[5] Denmark. City of Copenhagen. The Finance Administration. Municipal Plan 2011: City of Copenhagen. Cph.: City of Copenhagen, 2011. Print.
[6] "Welcome to the Øresund Bridge." The Oresund Bridge. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
"Loop City - First Part." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
[2] Bruel, Michaela. "Copenhagen, Denmark: Green City Amid the Finger Metropolis." Green Cities of Europe: Global Lessons on Green Urbanism. By Timothy Beatley. Washington, DC: Island, 2012. 83-89. Print.
[3]Jorgensen, John. "Evolution of the Finger Structure." (n.d.): 187-97. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
[4]Cahasan, Paul, and Arielle F. Clark. "Copenhagen, Denmark." (n.d.): n. pag.Historical Facts about Copenhagen. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.
[5] Denmark. City of Copenhagen. The Finance Administration. Municipal Plan 2011: City of Copenhagen. Cph.: City of Copenhagen, 2011. Print.
[6] "Welcome to the Øresund Bridge." The Oresund Bridge. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
"Loop City - First Part." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
http://web.pdx.edu/~rueterj/courses/objects/images/copenhagen-finger-plan.jpg
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http://uk.oresundsbron.com/page/1087
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http://uk.oresundsbron.com/page/1087