Future-Proofing a City through Green Infrastructure
Summary
As a small, yet growing coastal city, Copenhagen is working to protect residents against the impacts of climate change, which are often seen in the shape of severe rainfall events (or cloudbursts). In 2016, a Danish nature design company began designing the city's largest and greenest cloudburst adaptation project at Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen.
By transforming the grey urban area into a green space that uses ecosystem services to protect the area from flooding, there have been significant benefits seen, ranging from social to environmental as residents take advantage of the area to socialize and play. While there are numerous examples of green infrastructure around the world, considerable political will and investment is required to bring such a project into fruition.
As a relatively small coastal city of approximately 600,000 inhabitants, and an expected growth of 100,000 more before 2025, Copenhagen is working to use all available land for building new homes in an area of around 10km 2, along with providing affordable housing for the growing population (IWA, n.d.). The city is working to protect residents from the impacts of climate change. Copenhagen has experienced a number of severe rainfall events, or cloudbursts, in recent years with damages amounting to around USD one billion and climate projections expecting more in the future (IWA, n.d.).
Intervention
In 2016, Danish nature design experts SLA began designing Copenhagen's largest and greenest cloudburst adaptation project - the combined climate adaptation, infrastructure and urban space project at Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen spanning over 35,000 m 2 (Holmes, 2020; LILA, 2020). Previously, Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen was a grey and monotone urban area in the heart of the city with very limited vegetation and social opportunities for residents (LILA, 2020). The project aimed to use ecosystem services to not only protect the city from flooding after cloudbursts, but also purify polluted air, improve microclimate, and provide a social foundation for the neighbourhood (Holmes, 2020). Between 2017 and 2019, more than two-thirds of the area was dug up and 600+ trees were planted, with vegetation being aligned with a network of green rainwater beds. This ensures that over 30% of rainwater is handled on the surface of blue-green public spaces instead of ending up in overflowing sewers (Holmes, 2020; Visit Copenhagen, 2023). The area also provides a wide range of green qualities for gatherings and social activities for local residents, and the paths through the trees make it possible for citizens to explore nature (LILA, 2020). There are also large overturned trees that can be used for play (LILA, 2020). The area is part of the Climate District initiative by the City of Copenhagen and aims to show how effective protection against cloudbursts can go hand in hand with green and recreational urban spaces that reduce traffic and strengthen biodiversity (LILA, 2020). In all, the initiative is future-proofing the area against heavier rain and torrential downpours.
Challenges
Taking a holistic approach to increasing nature and green spaces in cities requires significant political will and participation to support the process of increasing the proportion of green spaces in a city or neighbourhood. Furthermore, considerable investment and knowledge of nature-based urban design practices would be required to effectively integrate future-proofing into designs, however, some benefits could still be achieved through increasing green surfaces.
Outcomes
Overall, the project is a frontrunner within nature-based urban development. Through a nature-based design, the project has increased biodiversity in the neighbourhood, with 586 new trees (including local species), is more future-proof, reduces noise and air pollution, decreases the heat island effect, and increases the health and quality of life for local citizens (LILA, 2020). The project has transformed the area into a fully climate-adapted and biodiverse space, demonstrating how effective protection against cloudbursts can go hand in hand with green and recreational spaces (Holmes, 2020). For its work, SLA was awarded the 2020 Arne of the Year Award, the most prestigious Danish architecture prize awarded by the Danish Architecture Association (Holmes, 2020).
References
Future-Proofing a City through Green Infrastructure
Summary
As a small, yet growing coastal city, Copenhagen is working to protect residents against the impacts of climate change, which are often seen in the shape of severe rainfall events (or cloudbursts). In 2016, a Danish nature design company began designing the city's largest and greenest cloudburst adaptation project at Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen.
By transforming the grey urban area into a green space that uses ecosystem services to protect the area from flooding, there have been significant benefits seen, ranging from social to environmental as residents take advantage of the area to socialize and play. While there are numerous examples of green infrastructure around the world, considerable political will and investment is required to bring such a project into fruition.
As a relatively small coastal city of approximately 600,000 inhabitants, and an expected growth of 100,000 more before 2025, Copenhagen is working to use all available land for building new homes in an area of around 10km 2, along with providing affordable housing for the growing population (IWA, n.d.). The city is working to protect residents from the impacts of climate change. Copenhagen has experienced a number of severe rainfall events, or cloudbursts, in recent years with damages amounting to around USD one billion and climate projections expecting more in the future (IWA, n.d.).
Issue
Intervention
In 2016, Danish nature design experts SLA began designing Copenhagen's largest and greenest cloudburst adaptation project - the combined climate adaptation, infrastructure and urban space project at Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen spanning over 35,000 m 2 (Holmes, 2020; LILA, 2020). Previously, Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen was a grey and monotone urban area in the heart of the city with very limited vegetation and social opportunities for residents (LILA, 2020). The project aimed to use ecosystem services to not only protect the city from flooding after cloudbursts, but also purify polluted air, improve microclimate, and provide a social foundation for the neighbourhood (Holmes, 2020). Between 2017 and 2019, more than two-thirds of the area was dug up and 600+ trees were planted, with vegetation being aligned with a network of green rainwater beds. This ensures that over 30% of rainwater is handled on the surface of blue-green public spaces instead of ending up in overflowing sewers (Holmes, 2020; Visit Copenhagen, 2023). The area also provides a wide range of green qualities for gatherings and social activities for local residents, and the paths through the trees make it possible for citizens to explore nature (LILA, 2020). There are also large overturned trees that can be used for play (LILA, 2020). The area is part of the Climate District initiative by the City of Copenhagen and aims to show how effective protection against cloudbursts can go hand in hand with green and recreational urban spaces that reduce traffic and strengthen biodiversity (LILA, 2020). In all, the initiative is future-proofing the area against heavier rain and torrential downpours.
Challenges
Taking a holistic approach to increasing nature and green spaces in cities requires significant political will and participation to support the process of increasing the proportion of green spaces in a city or neighbourhood. Furthermore, considerable investment and knowledge of nature-based urban design practices would be required to effectively integrate future-proofing into designs, however, some benefits could still be achieved through increasing green surfaces.
Outcomes
Overall, the project is a frontrunner within nature-based urban development. Through a nature-based design, the project has increased biodiversity in the neighbourhood, with 586 new trees (including local species), is more future-proof, reduces noise and air pollution, decreases the heat island effect, and increases the health and quality of life for local citizens (LILA, 2020). The project has transformed the area into a fully climate-adapted and biodiverse space, demonstrating how effective protection against cloudbursts can go hand in hand with green and recreational spaces (Holmes, 2020). For its work, SLA was awarded the 2020 Arne of the Year Award, the most prestigious Danish architecture prize awarded by the Danish Architecture Association (Holmes, 2020).
Issues |
|---|
Climate Change and Water |
Solutions |
|---|
Sustainable Water Supply & Climate Solutions |
References
Copenhagen Climate Adaptation Plan. City of Copenhagen. (2011). https://en.klimatilpasning.dk/media/568851/copenhagen_adaption_plan.pdf
Copenhagen. International Water Association (IWA). (n.d.). https://iwa-network.org/city/copenhagen/
Holmes, D. (2020, February 12). Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen wins Arne of the year award. World Landscape Architecture. https://worldlandscapearchitect.com/sankt-kjelds-square-and-bryggervangen-wins-arne-of-the-year-award/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
Sankt Kjelds Plads : Architecture and Urban Spaces. VisitCopenhagen. (2023). https://www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/sankt-kjelds-plads-gdk1122293
Sankt Kjelds Square and Bryggervangen by SLA. Landezine International Landscape Award (LILA). (2020). https://landezine-award.com/sankt-kjelds-square-and-bryggervangen/