Culture of Creativity to Shape Urban Design
How did Copenhagen get its reputation as Scandinavia’s one of most beautiful and forward thinking city? The answer can be found in the developmental priorities of Copenhagen’s urban designers. Government officials and planners have used “creativity” as the underlining driver for economic development in Copenhagen.[1] What “Creativity” means in this context is industries involving creative problem solutions such as architecture, design, advertising, film etc. These creative industries are supported by other industries that has developed to support the creative class such as legal services and marketing.[1]
There are several reasons Copenhagen has turned to creativity for economic development. First reason is that Copenhagen being Denmark’s capital has an international outlook. By fostering creative industries and activities Copenhagen has branded it self as Scandinavia’s design and creative industry leader for the purpose of regional economic competition. Now Copenhagen has many internationally recognized brands ranging from apparel to architecture/urban design firms. Indeed, creativity as economic development has been used by the Danish government as a way to create a regional identity.
There are several reasons Copenhagen has turned to creativity for economic development. First reason is that Copenhagen being Denmark’s capital has an international outlook. By fostering creative industries and activities Copenhagen has branded it self as Scandinavia’s design and creative industry leader for the purpose of regional economic competition. Now Copenhagen has many internationally recognized brands ranging from apparel to architecture/urban design firms. Indeed, creativity as economic development has been used by the Danish government as a way to create a regional identity.
This branding of Copenhagen has had a positive feed back effect. Decades of supporting creative industries by subsidies and educational support and infrastructure have breed generations of creative people. These creative people create both demand for and inputs for creative industries and businesses. Having a reputation for creativity means that there are many creative job opportunities, drawing creative people. These creative people often have high levels of educational attainment and have stable financial incomes. These financially secure, young, creative people naturally crave creative industries and services. This makes Copenhagen a viable spot for mom n’ pop/local/artisanal stores because the market and demand for creative goods and services are so high. Trendy cafes, restaurants, and art related commercial/public programming thrive in Copenhagen and add to the creative identity of the city.
The City’s initiative to create a creative class, industry, and regional identity has in turn, shaped public policy. The creative class the government has fostered had begun to demand more creative and innovative solutions to urban problems. We can see the effects of the legacy of creativity in Copenhagen today. Copenhagen has one of the most extensive and innovative public transportation systems among global cities. Bikes, cars, busses, light rail, high speed-rail, all integrate fluidly to provide an extensive mobility system for its residents. Copenhagen is full of publically subsidized and funded community spaces and public art.[1] The Government can initiate and get support for these programs because the public demands creative projects and the socialist economic systems allows for ample funding for socially and technically innovative projects and infrastructure.[2]
The City’s initiative to create a creative class, industry, and regional identity has in turn, shaped public policy. The creative class the government has fostered had begun to demand more creative and innovative solutions to urban problems. We can see the effects of the legacy of creativity in Copenhagen today. Copenhagen has one of the most extensive and innovative public transportation systems among global cities. Bikes, cars, busses, light rail, high speed-rail, all integrate fluidly to provide an extensive mobility system for its residents. Copenhagen is full of publically subsidized and funded community spaces and public art.[1] The Government can initiate and get support for these programs because the public demands creative projects and the socialist economic systems allows for ample funding for socially and technically innovative projects and infrastructure.[2]
Functional Simplicity
Not only is Copenhagen and Denmark known for innovative design, they are known for their particular type of deign philosophy as well. Danish design champions the synergy of functionality and simplicity. What this design philosophy means is that designers are constantly trying to get the most functional use out of a designed object through the simplest form. One of Denmark’s most celebrated industrial designer Arne Jacobson perfectly embody that design philosophy. Another design philosophy that is unique to Copenhagen and Denmark is their emphasis on human interaction and natural materials for their built environments. [3] These design philosophies combine to create a unique built environment, infrastructure, and aesthetic.
These two design philosophies combine to create beautiful and grand modern architecture with interior spaces, which gives visitors of the space a cosy feeling through natural light and human scale interior design. On a bigger macro scale, this philosophy can be seen in Copenhagen’s larger infrastructure plan. Public housing units are modern and massive buildings, which somehow still feel personal and livable. The public transportation system is energy efficient, yet highly functional and friendly for pedestrians. The desire to merge functionality, simplicity, with human oriented design has defined the aesthetic of Copenhagen from its fashion trends, interior designs, all the way to their public transportation system.[4]
These two design philosophies combine to create beautiful and grand modern architecture with interior spaces, which gives visitors of the space a cosy feeling through natural light and human scale interior design. On a bigger macro scale, this philosophy can be seen in Copenhagen’s larger infrastructure plan. Public housing units are modern and massive buildings, which somehow still feel personal and livable. The public transportation system is energy efficient, yet highly functional and friendly for pedestrians. The desire to merge functionality, simplicity, with human oriented design has defined the aesthetic of Copenhagen from its fashion trends, interior designs, all the way to their public transportation system.[4]
Architecture and Places of Interest
The Louisiana - Contemporary Museum
This Museum is one of Copenhagen's several contemporary art museums. The Louisianan is known for their collection of highly regarded, established artists' works and by new , up and coming artists. Pieces by Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Picasso can be seen along side local artists. The Louisiana museum is also well known for their landscape design as well. Green open space is punctuated with movable seating, glass corridors, and sculptures by Alexander Calder.
This Museum is one of Copenhagen's several contemporary art museums. The Louisianan is known for their collection of highly regarded, established artists' works and by new , up and coming artists. Pieces by Lichtenstein, Warhol, and Picasso can be seen along side local artists. The Louisiana museum is also well known for their landscape design as well. Green open space is punctuated with movable seating, glass corridors, and sculptures by Alexander Calder.
Superkilen Park
This is a public park developed by the City of Copenhagen in partnership with a philanthropic organization, as part of an urban revitalization plan. This was completed and officially opened in 2007. Since its completion, it has received numerous awards for the innovative programming which includes a perimeter bicycle track, play ground, basketball court, shaded seating, public art, and plenty of natural open space. This project was designed by Superflex, Bjarke Ingels Group, and Topotek1.
This is a public park developed by the City of Copenhagen in partnership with a philanthropic organization, as part of an urban revitalization plan. This was completed and officially opened in 2007. Since its completion, it has received numerous awards for the innovative programming which includes a perimeter bicycle track, play ground, basketball court, shaded seating, public art, and plenty of natural open space. This project was designed by Superflex, Bjarke Ingels Group, and Topotek1.
The Stroget: World's Largest Pedestrian Street
The Stroget is the world's longest pedestrian street. During the day, the street is bustling with retail activity. Both residents and toiurists can be seen happily strolling through the street with shopping bags in hand. During the night, the street transforms into vibrant night life, attracting the hip and creative people of Copenhagen to its vibrant and unique eateries and clubs.
The Stroget is the world's longest pedestrian street. During the day, the street is bustling with retail activity. Both residents and toiurists can be seen happily strolling through the street with shopping bags in hand. During the night, the street transforms into vibrant night life, attracting the hip and creative people of Copenhagen to its vibrant and unique eateries and clubs.
The Opera
This structure is simply known as The Opera. This was opened in 2005 and was designed by Henning Larson. This opera house is one of the worlds most expensive opera houses, with construction estimated to be around 500 million dollars. The outside features clean Danish modern design. However, on the inside, the use of natural elements in the design such as wood panels and glass give the building a sense of cozy grandeur.
This structure is simply known as The Opera. This was opened in 2005 and was designed by Henning Larson. This opera house is one of the worlds most expensive opera houses, with construction estimated to be around 500 million dollars. The outside features clean Danish modern design. However, on the inside, the use of natural elements in the design such as wood panels and glass give the building a sense of cozy grandeur.
[1] Bayliss, Darrin. “Rise of the Creative City: Culture and Creativity in Copenhagen.” Institute of Geography, Univeristy of Copenhagen, European Planning Studies (2007)
[2] Lund Hansen, Anders, Hans Thor Andersen, and Eric Clark. "Creative Copenhagen: globalization, urban governance and social change." European Planning Studies 9.7 (2001): 851-869.
[3] "Rough Guide to Copenhagen." Lonely Planet. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
[4] Gehl, Jan, and Lars Gemzøe. Public spaces-public life. 2004.
[2] Lund Hansen, Anders, Hans Thor Andersen, and Eric Clark. "Creative Copenhagen: globalization, urban governance and social change." European Planning Studies 9.7 (2001): 851-869.
[3] "Rough Guide to Copenhagen." Lonely Planet. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.
[4] Gehl, Jan, and Lars Gemzøe. Public spaces-public life. 2004.
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