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Case

Climate change adaptation

Micromobility

Nature based solutions

+4

Urban design help promote better quality of life

8. July 2020

Solution provider

Danish Association of Architectural Firms

Danish Association of Architectural Firms is the Danish association of private firms of consulting architects representing almost all architectural firms in Denmark. For this reason we provide quick and easy access to the Danish resource base in the area of sustainable architecture. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Buildings and urban spaces provide the framework for urban life, help make areas attractive, improve social cohesion and can even have a significant branding effect. Some of the main challenges faced by cities are the transformation of industrial areas to residential and business areas and revitalisation of urban areas and rural districts along with climate proofing and establishment of new infrastructure. It is all about creating synergies, from planning to facade design, from facilities to urban life, from choice of materials to planting. Architecture, planning and landscape have many instruments that affect urban life. Access to parks and nature is of great importance. Likewise, the area must be easily accessible and feel safe. All these elements greatly depend on the design of buildings and urban spaces.

Below, we have selected a number of cases that show how architecture and urban spaces create value and help promote a better quality of life for citizens. As an example of this, Taasinge Square was Copenhagen’s first climate-adapted urban space, and it shows how we can future-proof our common areas through improving urban spaces.

Read more about the cases.

Kokkedal Climate Adaption  

Stormwater management, play and nature. In the city of Kokkedal, urban renewal and adapting to climate change go hand in hand.  

Kokkedal has one of Denmark’s most ambitious climate change adaptation projects. Across municipal and local cadastral bordersstormwater management has been coupled with other functions such as natural playgroundsexercise tracks and green gardens for locals and visitorsDetention basins and rainwater reservoirs have become attractive urban spaces because they collect rainwater but can altso be used for basket ball, skateboarding, parkour, etc. The use of the facilities has increased by more than 220%. 

[caption id="attachment_113123" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo/Cover: Carsten Ingemann/Ingemann Degnbol[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Kokkedal, Fredensborg
Function Climate Protection
Completed 2017
Architect Schønherr
Engineer Rambøll

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Taasinge Square 

The urban rain forest. Taasinge Square is Copenhagen's first climate-adapted urban space. A green oasis in a densely built urban neighbourhood that handles large amounts of rain and is a landmark for the neighbourhood

World-class climate adaptation. Taasinge Square was Copenhagen’s first climate-adapted urban space, and as part of the climate-resilient neighbourhood of Østerbro, it has attracted international focus on Danish visions and climate strategies. The project is being evaluated at research level, and it shows how we can future-proof our common areas through improving urban spaces. What used to be 1,000m 2 of unused paved area has been turned into a public, urban natural area; a wildlife oasis supporting biodiversity and detaining and collecting rainwater from roads and rooftops. 

[caption id="attachment_113124" align="alignnone" width="800"] Photo: Steven Achiam[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Copenhagen
Function Town park
Completed 2014
Architect GHB Landscape Architects 
Engineer Orbicon

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The Bicycle Snake 

An international icon. The Bicycle Snake in Copenhagen underline the City of Copenhagen’s profile as a sustainablebicyclefriendly metropolis

The bridge is a hub for cyclists and pedestrians, and it provides a shortcut for cyclists and saves them time; just as it saves Copenhagen from more congestion and traffic exhaust. The bridge has boosted the city’s cycle tourism and draws countless guests to the capital. Thus, in a literal as well as a figurative sense, the Bicycle Snake is a structural element of Copenhagen as a cycling city. The Bicycle Snake reduces traffic by 1,400 km every day, corresponding to 87 t of CO2 annually. 

[caption id="attachment_113125" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj[/caption]

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FACTS 

Location Copenhagen, Denmark
Use Bycycle bridge
Completed 2014
Architect DISSING+WEITLING
Landscape MARIANNE LEVINSEN LANDSKAB
Engineer Rambøll

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