The project has been given the green light to go ahead.
Copenhagen is once again showing itself to be a health-conscious, environmentally focussed city. Although plans to build a new park in front of the city’s beloved Tivoli have been underway for a year or so now, it has finally been given the green light by the citizens of Copenhagen. This new space, which will be built from Bernstorffsgade to H.C Andersens Blvd, will be a car-free, and truly green space. [Featured image: Gehl People]
The park is set to transform what is currently concrete into a place to enjoy the greenery of outdoor space in the middle of the city. It will include trees and wildlife, with lights that will illuminate the park at night and even water features to give the space a feeling of movement and freedom. The park is being designed by Gehl Architects, artist Olafur Eliasson, and the firm Studio Other Spaces. Speaking as Director of Gehl, Birgitte Bundesen Svarre has this to say about the new space:
“Vesterbro Passage city park will be a vital public space in the heart of the city. Learning from our recent public space, public life survey in Copenhagen during the COVID-19 lockdown we know there is a need for more, freely accessible, and green public spaces. For Copenhageners, this city park can contribute to that need in an area with relatively few larger green areas. And for the local stakeholders we’re excited that this will give them the opportunity to use this space in new and more communal ways. Lastly, creating a green connection between Copenhagen Central Station and Rådhuspladsen and Strøget will transform the experience of visitors into the city, a first impression – the welcome mat – that better represents Copenhagen as one of the world’s leading sustainable, walking and biking cities.”
In a city where fewer than 30% of people own a car and where there are more than 250 miles of cycle lanes, it makes sense to make this space car free. We can’t wait to see Copenhagener’s many cyclists enjoying this space once it open and it will certainly help towards Copenhagen’s aim of becoming carbon-free by 2025.