københavn (Dk

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IntErvIEW

of the Site’S repreSentative jAnE drEjEr nIElsEn, heaD of unit, urban reneWal

presentation of the site within the context of the city development and in terms of strategy

reflecting the global focus on and awareness of climate problems and resource depletion, awareness of these factors – and of the need for the existing city to be adaptable and resilient – has increased in the city of copenhagen. this should be seen in the context of an understanding of the architectural challenges involved in renovating the existing housing stock to meet new energy standards. copenhagen has its own distinctive and unique look, which is grounded in the city’s history and character. in the climate adaptation plan for copenhagen, the municipality stresses that initiatives in this field should also offer quality for the city’s residents and businesses. one particular focus area in the plan is energy optimization in the existing building stock, which accounts for 75% of the city’s total co2 emissions.

How can the site be integrated in the issue of the adaptable city and how do you consider this issue?

the past decade has been characterised by both financial and climate crises, which have raised awareness of the need for optimum use of existing resources. big cities continue to grow, as more people move to urban areas, while existing residents stay put. alongside the growing consciousness of increasing climate change and resource depletion, this has prompted both politicians and individual citizens to seek to develop and transform the city into a flexible and living/modifiable organism, which can adapt to changing needs and aspirations about ways of inhabiting and using the city. the buildings in the project area represent copenhagen’s identity and cultural heritage. they have shown their strength and durability over time, and with good solutions and smart decisions for energy optimization and climate adaptation – which means finding the right balance between transformation and preservation – these old buildings can retain their identity and still be future proof, thereby reinforcing the area’s ability to adapt to coming changes and crises both financial and meteorological.

At the time of sustainable development coupled to an economic crisis, have you already defined a specific strategy for the urban development of the site?

the strategic area is populated by active, involved residents, who have both knowledge about and an inclination towards environmentally sustainable initiatives. the area is known historically as a place where different segments of society side-by-side and where there is a space for those who are different; this is intrinsic to the identity of the district. the focus is on solutions at all levels, from single housing units to the entire district, from low-tech to high-tech. Similarly, the range of housing upgrades varies financially from low-cost to significant, and spatially from individual dwellings to shared solutions that encompass buildings, courtyards and streets. the goal is to devise multifunctional and scalable solutions for built-up urban areas that can are transferable to other parts of copenhagen, europe and the world.

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our courtyard in the street

team point of view our project site and copenhagen in general are facing the familiar challenge of an ageing housing stock, energy consumption spiralling out of control and lack of adaptation to today’s climate. our strategy is to solve existing problems before introducing new architecture. the challenge of energy optimisation in the existing housing stock is urgent, and will not disappear. We should focus on solving these existing problems before we consider utopian dreams for the future. our concept is to focus on what to do in copenhagen right now, and our strategy has been to provide an overview of possible improvements and show a variety of activities and enhancements that can be started at any time. both familiar and proven new solutions. a toolbox, a catalogue.

jury point of view the project is an open framework and a strategy for further qualification in collaboration with the municipality and residents. it also creates, with few resources, a powerful and oneiric vision of inviting spaces. the illustration of the circular lighting in Dybbølsbro could give the area everyday qualities of poetry and identity. the project presents many opportunities for varied architectural solutions, based on a series of simple methods, creating contemporary and attractive accommodation and spaces for businesses and voluntary organisations.

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1 2 3 4 5

1 - the houSing aSSociation refurbiSh the apartMentS on top anD bottoM level anD SellS theM 2 - the Money iS re-inveSteD in a Strategy for local StorM-Water-hanDling. plant beDS anD faScineS to Delay precipitation together With periMeter DrainS 3. baSeD on the neW initiativeS the reSiDentS are able to be DecoupleD froM the Municipality Drainage 4 - the Decoupling SaveS the Municipality Money otherWiSe uSeD to expanD the coMMon Drainage 5 - aS thankS, the Municipality Will Sign over right of DiSpoSal of the Street to the reSiDentS Which in turn generateS even More SuStainable initiativeS

Situation at DybbølSgaDe

2

3 1

Situation at kruSÅgaDe

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sprouting cityblocks

team point of view this project seeks to understand the nature of vesterbro, a historically working-class area, answering the question of “how to maintain the character of the city blocks on the public street and while enhancing the interior in a way that achieves community rather than gentrification. the site is a very cramped space, so the question was naturally “What can we share?”. this project explores collective space as a combination of the pleasure of sharing and the happiness of owning. We create big gaps in the blocks for shared terraces and light. this opens up the courtyard to the surrounding public streets. it empowers people and give them ownership of the city on the small scale, but also creates big, visually accessible, lively green spaces in the city. residents can define the city by how they use their private space.

jury point of view the project demonstrates a good understanding of the identity and capacities needed to create an inspiring transition between town, city space and the existing building stock. it explores the district’s branched structure, reinforcing hidden spatial treasures. the project works with a new kind of communal space for city blocks and its residents, seeking to turn the city block inside out with the idea of a new, emergent form of housing. the idea is that communal spaces should be able to create new kinds of communities and new ways to socialise.

copenhagen wetlands

team point of view a network of flood-resilient shared courtyards. research suggests that communities with good social bonds and bridges cope better with drastic change or catastrophe than people in more individualistic societies. vesterbro is changing socially. rapid gentrification is making the area more homogenous, with growing numbers of middle-class people in the same age-group. this not only threatens the historic diversity of vesterbro, but makes the inhabitants less resilient to change. What makes this project unique is its focus not only on the physical adaptability to climate change but equally the emphasis on the social “side effects” of these interventions, thus making the city more resilient in its physical and social aspects.

jury point of view the project demonstrates clear ideas as well as the ability to convey beautifully a clear decision on materiality, texture and space. it exhibits a sense of materiality and texture and has the capacity to see spatial and aesthetic potential in the neglected courtyards, as well as to conceive an amenity with a very site-specific design.

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Social reSilence reSearch SuggeStS that SocietieS With a great Deal of Social capital cope better With change or cataStropheS. Social capital iS a MeaSure of the netWorking capabilitieS Within a Social group (bonDing) anD betWeen Different Social groupS (briDging).

iSolateD coMMunitieS the private courtyarDS enable SoMe bonDing betWeen the reSiDentS. Due to the iSolateD nature of theSe courtyarDS, people froM other Social groupS are left out, MiniMizing the poSSibility of intereSting encounterS briDging acroSS Social borDerS. cloSeD StreetScapeS the typical Structure of the Strategic Site iS cloSeD, inacceSSible quarterS With private courtyarDS. the area haS feW public areaS anD natural Meeting pointS. the blockS function aS Social barrierS.

neW Social netWorkS the netWork of public WetlanD courtyarDS Will attract both buSineSSeS anD people, encouraging Social briDging. the neW urban WetlanD Will give people the poSSibility to DiScover unknoWn partS of their city. the coMMon WetlanD project Will alSo Strengthen the bonDing Within the block.

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passage of time

team point of view exploit – identify the existing potential and fix it to last another 100 years by increasing the daylight factor by 30% and energy consumption by 25% explore – raise the courtyard-level but create a passage for movement across the courtyards in line with the historical waterline. these passages are covered with brick in reference to the genesis of the rubble from the inner city. in heavy rain these channels will capture rainwater from the entire neighbourhood. identity – the last part of the assessment defines what is missing. by establishing recessed basins through intersections, we free up the courtyard and allow more daylight to enter the apartments. We propose a communal building that will delineate two urban spaces and fulfil the everyday needs of the neighbourhood and residents.

jury point of view Well thought out and pragmatic, the project fits in with many of the city’s existing strategies for change. it makes proposals for many dependent landscapes, based on numerous private initiatives. the team suggests placing new community centres at several street locations with the aim of creating new patterns of movement and cutting traffic.