WM2041 Actions

Copenhagen is well known for its urban green credentials. Aiming to be carbon neutral by 2025, it is one of Europe’s leading cities in addressing climate change.

Nonetheless, it is still looking to improve social inclusion, resilience and liveability in its approach to tackling urban renewal and development. As such, the city has prioritised a number of areas for more in-depth community-facing work around the role that climate change solutions might play in day-to-day life; including the role of nature-based solutions in improving adaptation.

Copenhagen has increasingly suffered detrimental effects from flooding. For example, in July 2011, a huge storm struck the city with rainfall higher than the estimated 2000-year return period. There was significant infrastructure damage across Copenhagen with claims from building owners exceeding £800m. So they took action. In Sydhavnen District a citizen-based approach was taken to develop adaptation measures to reduce the risk of future flooding. What was developed was a pocket park, Scandiasgade Park.

The park that was finally built is around 13m wide and 365m long. It is divided into ‘zones’ that support nature (for example an area with plants to attract pollinators) as well as community-focused areas – for example a ‘beach’-style park, with charging infrastructure so that community events can be held there. These zones are sunk below the level of the pavement and roads, with an elevated walkway across them all. The park, which is yet to be tested by a major flood event, can absorb approximately 1,500m3 of rainwater.