Chapter3.ACloserStudyofHealthyUrbanPlanning

3.1Introduction

As highlighted in the introduction, the CCMHHC document identifies 6 key areas for consideration as part of healthy urban planning: People, Place, Participation, Prosperity, Peace, and Planet.

For this research, three of these key areas were selected for closer investigation due to their close alignment with healthy urban planning, namely: People, Place and Participation. For each of these areas a current example of Copenhagen’s urban plan was also identified as a case study to further explore the theory in practice. Selection of the case study models was guided by the following principles:

● the intervention is part of Copenhagen’s existing urban plan

● human scale was taken into consideration as part of its design process

● aspects of the design aligned with one or more of the chosen guiding principles of the CCMHHC

As a result of this selection process the 3 interventions chosen, and the aspect of the CCMHHC they were aligned with for further investigation were as follows:

1 People Strøget to investigate urban planning design which enables accessible balanced lifestyles

2 Place Supercykelstier to investigate urban planning intervention which facilitates health and well-being

3 Participation Superkilen Park to investigate communal space which promotes peace and security through inclusive societies

3.2People

3.2.1Aim

To investigate urban planning design which enables accessible balanced lifestyles

3.2.2Background

“If you invite more cars, you get more cars. If you make more streets better for cars you get

8 more traffic. If you make more bicycle infrastructure you get more bicycles. If you invite people to walk more and use public spaces more, you get more life in the city. You get what you invite.”

Jan

Gehl

‘Designing Cities for People, Not Cars‘ Climate One

At the start of the 1960’s, Europe followed the American modernist urban plan which favoured the car. As mentioned previously, due to circumstance, Copenhagen didn’t adopt this model, however even in its absence, increasing car usage was making its mark on Copenhagen. The city planners recognised that the city centre was becoming increasingly congested with commuter traffic during the daytime however there was little life in the evening as most residents lived in the suburbs. Additionally, the global oil crisis in 1973 reaffirmed that people could no longer afford to travel by car. To address these concerns the planners decided on a challenging combined approach: to increase the attractiveness of the public spaces in the city centre while making access by car difficult. Accordingly cycling and pedestrian culture was championed, and flourished.

3.2.2Strøget

Strøget is one of the oldest and longest pedestrian streets in Europe. The main street is 1.15km 9 long and contains 3 public squares (Gammeltorv, Amagertorv and Nytorv), all of which were originally used for vehicle traffic and parking. It is one of the first examples of pedestrianisation within the city (see figure 3).

Strøget (see figure 4) was initially closed to traffic during the 1950’s for a short period prior to Christmas, but later reopened. It was then closed again during 1962 as part of a 10 pedestrianisation experiment “half disguised” as an extended holiday closure. It has remained closed ever since. Key elements of the pedestrianisation of Strøget involved removing all traffic 11 and kerbs from the street.

Amongst other things the experiment aimed to:

● improve pedestrian routes within the city centre

● provide a high quality and attractive environment for businesses to flourish

● encourage a more people to spend time in the centre

● revitalise the city’s forgotten alleys by transforming them into vibrant lanes.

The conversion was perceived as a pioneering effort, however it also provoked a lot of public debate prior to the change. The debate primarily centred around the identity of the street and changing the way Danes live. "We are Danes, not Italians, they argued. It's too cold here and it rains too much. We like cosy meals at home, not outdoor cafes" (Turner, 2008). Additionally business owners had grave concerns, predicting that no cars would mean less business. Despite the misgivings however, the pedestrianisation of Strøget quickly proved to be a success resulting in a 35% increase in the pedestrian footfall in the first year of conversion. Any initial suspicion regarding a new way of public and outdoor life was quickly forgotten in the new-found liveliness of the city centre.

In 1968 Jan Gehl undertook a study with a 13 team of students and colleagues from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen. Together they studied the changing levels of activity following Strøget’s pedestrianisation. The study was the first in a series - in total the study was conducted 3 times over a 30 year period. The studies were comprehensive and were undertaken over the four seasons, and throughout the day, evenings, weekdays and weekends.

One of the most striking results from that data was that the time people spent within pedestrianised areas nearly quadrupled (as seen in Figure 5). This was as a result of people spending more time doing a greater range of activities, and due to the city centre having become an ideal social meeting area. During the summer the street was full with Figure people enjoying outdoor social and cultural activities. Meanwhile, during the winter months, the public enjoyed attractions such as festivals and outdoor ice skating.

The pedestrianisation created a potential for outdoor public life in Denmark which was previously unimaginable due to the lack of space. Between 1962 and 2005 there was a 600% increase in pedestrian space, from 15,800 square metres to 99,700 square metres in 2005, due solely to the pedestrianisation of Strøget and the gradual pedestrianisation of the surrounding streets. This increase in space is as a result of removing the road, parking spaces and kerbs to provide a pedestrian space which is 10-12m wide.

The success of the Strøget can be attributed in part to the slow development of the urban plan. This gradual change gave members of the public time to change their patterns of driving and parking, instead walking, cycling and using public transport to access key destinations in the city. It also gave time for businesses to develop new ways of using the increased public space and for citizens to also get used to using the space differently - between 1968 and 1996 volumes of stopping and staying activities on the street increased by 400%.

3.3Place

3.3.1Aim

To investigate urban planning which encourages health and well-being

3.3.2Background

2"A healthy city leads by example, with the social, physical and cultural environments aligned to create a place that is actively inclusive, and facilitates the pursuit of health and well-being for all.”

(WHO Europe, 2018, p.5).

During 2017, the Member States of the WHO European Region observed high levels of physical inactivity within their respective populations. Current WHO global recommendations state:

● Children aged 5 to 17 years old should do at least 60 minutes of moderately intense 14 physical activity (i.e. brisk walking, cycling, hiking etc.) every day, and participate in vigorous intensity activities (i.e. running, cycling uphill, swimming etc.) at least three times a week

● Adults should do at least 150-300 minutes of moderately intense activity throughout the week, or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorously intense aerobic activity

In Europe however it is estimated that approximately one third of adults are insufficiently active. This statistic and others like it may seem discouraging, however studies have concluded that simply increasing the levels of walking and cycling within cities will improve the physical health of the population.

Governments throughout the WHO European Region recognise the importance of prioritising physical health opportunities within the city. With more than 80% of the European population expected to live in urban areas by 2030, it has become increasingly important for cities to play a pivotal role in promoting and protecting health and wellbeing. As a result, both national governments and city authorities aim to increase physical activity and decrease physical inactivity throughout European cities.

The Member States have adopted the Physical Activity Strategy for the WHO European Region 2016-2025. This guidance, which includes recommended changes to the built environments where people live, work, move and play, also makes recommendations regarding efficient ways to increase physical activity levels and decrease the sedentary behaviour of a population. The Member States have pledged to work alongside all sectors to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to be physically active as part of their everyday lives.

The WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Gehl Institute both clearly understand that cities hold a large potential for change. Accordingly, the two organisations collaborated and published the document Towards More Physical Activity in Cities. This document supports the aims and 15 vision of the Physical Activity Strategy through focusing on ways to improve the built environment, that is, through shaping the physical infrastructure and spaces in city and town centres. Two concepts are central to the joint document:

● Physical activity as a part of everyday life (active living)

● Built Environment - both organisations believe there are clear aspects of urban planning which can influence the activity levels of the public, including parks, cycle paths and public transportation systems.

Towards More Physical Activity in Cities also highlights 17 Sustainable Development Goals 16 (SDG’s), and details urban planning strategies that can be used to improve public spaces. The aim is that the strategies from the Gehl Institute will develop urban plans to be considerate of the human scale and in turn achieve the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

On a smaller scale, the mayors and local leaders are working to improve the quality of life in urban environments across Europe. They aim to create well-planned, walkable neighbourhoods, affordable housing with access to local services with plenty of green public space, and access to various types of public transport. Also included is a clear focus on the attainment of health goals alongside a more balanced urban development.

Copenhagen is ever evolving and has proven to be a prime example of a city striving to make changes to the built environment to meet sustainability and health goals. In August 2021, the sports company Reebok conducted a study titled The Global State of Fitness. This 17 American study examined over 60 cities worldwide, and sought to determine which country was the most physically active - its findings were later published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The identified cities were evaluated on the basis of six key metrics:

1. the average cost of a monthly gym membership

2. the percentage of people walking and cycling to work

3. the level of insufficient physical activity country-wide

4. the percentage of public green spaces

5. the percentage of the city’s population that go to the gym

6. the country-wide obesity rate

The study also considered additional environmental factors including air quality and the number of public green spaces. The study concluded that the top 3 cities in the world, in terms of physical activity, were as follows:

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Helsinki, Finland

As shown above in Figure 6, the results demonstrated a 6% difference between people cycling to work in Amsterdam (1st ranking) compared to Copenhagen (2nd ranking). This difference, however, is significantly larger at 26% when comparing Copenhagen with Helsinki (3rd ranking).

Copenhagen was ranked 2nd fittest city in the world, an outcome which is in part attributable to the amount of green spaces in the city, and the number of people cycling to work. These findings help demonstrate that considered urban planning has the potential to significantly influence the amount of exercise a population participates in. It is important to analyse the aspects of Copenhagen’s urban plan which encourage this increased activity, and ultimately contribute to healthier and active lifestyles.

The research and findings of the Reebok study align with the beliefs mentioned in Towards More Physical Activity in Cities. It is therefore reasonable to hypothesise that an urban population’s level of physical activity can be influenced by the built environment, and that an urban plan designed with acknowledgement of human scale, has the potential to benefit the health and wellbeing of a city’s population. Conversely, a lack of understanding of human scale in urban design can create barriers which prevent a population from being physically active - for example, an urban plan that allows traffic to dominate the city landscape and lacks integrated options for active transport. Other potential challenges include lack of access to green or other recreational public spaces - especially in low income areas in the city - or a lack of understanding or consideration of the human scale in the design of public spaces, resulting in the population being discouraged from using the space or finding it impractical. Additionally cities face a range of other issues including: air pollution; environmental degradation; growing inequalities within the population; threats to economic growth, and affordability of housing. It is important therefore to identify the challenges and to create solutions that benefit both the city and the people.

Copenhagen is widely renowned for its simple, safe and connected cycling infrastructure. In 2019, the Copenhagenize Index (an initiative that ranks the most crowned Copenhagen bike 18 friendly cities in the world) ‘The Most Bike Friendly City’ for the third time in a row. This accolade was supported by evidence observed over a 2 year period which showed that 62% of the population travels to school by bike and the Copenhageners cycle approximately 1.44 million kilometres every day. The success can be accounted for by Copenhagen’s dedication to improving its cycling routes - the city pledged more than €40 per head in bicycle infrastructure investments. The goal is to create a healthy, sustainable city where anyone can enjoy being outside. To do this, the city has continued to focus upon a simple, safe and connected infrastructure which people of all ages and abilities can use. The cycling infrastructure is designed to be easy to use and can be divided into four simple typologies;

● traffic calmed streets

● painted bike lanes

● separated cycle tracks

● green routes

The largest advancement to the infrastructure however, is the Cycle Superhighways.

3.3.3Supercykelstier

Supercykelstier or Cycle Superhighways are a continual investment throughout Copenhagen. The initiative started in 2009 when the Capital Region of Denmark and 16 municipalities 19 collaborated to improve the cycling infrastructure throughout the borders, creating cohesive and interconnected routes to and from the city centre. This infrastructure enables commuters to cycle easily into and out of the city centre, and encourages more sustainable travel options. More than 10 years later, the cycling infrastructure has expanded to 27 municipalities and Copenhagen and is the largest cross-municipal cycling infrastructure in Denmark.

Since the first cycle superhighway opened in 2012, the collaboration has continued to expand 20 the route network and monitor subsequent effects upon the commuters. The total network plan includes 45 routes - 8 routes are currently built and 8 more are to be built in the future. Upgrading the infrastructure had a positive effect upon the residents of Copenhagen. Statistics indicate that the residents are more likely to cycle places than drive. It’s estimated that since the upgrade, there has been a 23% increase in cyclists and 14% previously would have driven21 There are a number of reasons why commuters choose to cycle instead of driving including: it’s healthy, easy, safe and easily accessible to everyone. In rural areas it may not be the fastest form of transport but it appeals to the public as a form of exercise and a way to keep healthy. Within the city however it can often be the fastest means of getting from A to B - truly active living. Cycling also creates opportunities for commuters to take exercise before their working day starts, along with some fresh air and mental space.

Copenhagen has successfully influenced other cities to integrate cycle superhighways into 22 their urban plan. Transport for London (TFL) introduced Cycle Superhighway 3 in July 2010, which has been a success amongst the public ever since. The 24km long cycle path runs from

Barking in the east to Lancaster Gate in central London. Since its opening, there has been an 83% increase in cyclists due to the safe and easy nature of the route. In a survey, the TFL recorded that 80% of respondents agreed that Cycle Superhighways improve safety for the commuter and 78% agreed that the superhighway improved the predictability and reliability of journeys.

3.4Participation

3.4.1Aim

To investigate communal space which promotes peace and security through inclusive societies

3.4.2Background

2"A healthy city leads by example by promoting peace through inclusive societies that focus on places, participation, prosperity and the planet, while putting people at the centre of all policies and actions.”

(WHO Europe, 2018, p.8).

In 2018, the Gehl Institute in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), an American foundation focused on access to public health and health equity, published the report Inclusive Healthy Places, outlining the needs for inclusive and equitable public spaces“That’s what this report is about. It is designed to bridge the fields of public health and community planning and design in new ways, with a focus on supporting inclusive healthy public spaces”. The report focuses on outdoor public spaces including streets, pavements, parks, and plazas due to their being the places where the public most commonly interact on a daily basis.

Included in the report is the Inclusive Healthy Places Framework (referred to as ‘the 23 framework’), which The Gehl Institute and the RWJF developed in partnership with a group of global advisors. The Framework is based on a varied but defined range of drivers to help plan and evaluate change towards achieving public spaces which support inclusion, health equity and individual and community health. Not prescriptive, it is designed to be adaptable for use in different circumstances by different practitioners. The aspiration is that use of the Framework will also help build a foundation of practitioners across the disciplines and sectors who shape public space and who put health and health equity at the centre of their respective work. The framework can then be utilised by other public health professionals and policy makers, built environment practitioners, community leaders, engaged community members and residents to improve their public space.

The framework focuses on three areas: public space, inclusion and health equity.

● Public Space - this focuses on the shared physical spaces utilised by the public. It is a flexible physical space where people can socialise, exercise and use recreationally. Additionally, public spaces can be used by local businesses to buy or sell goods, and offer services. Public space offers opportunities for people to make connections, express their political views, appreciate art or architecture or simply enjoy being outside.

● Inclusion - although a complex concept to define, if successfully attained it is an outcome that can be used as a powerful tool for change. It is important that everyone using a space feels welcomed, safe and accommodated regardless of their background, where they’re from, their age, capabilities or how they use the space. An inclusive space is considerate and respectful of the needs of the people using the space. The aim of an inclusive space is to generate trust among the community through the promotion of engagement and creativity. To make it possible, the urban design must consider the context, which includes; the surrounding demographic, socio-economic, health and historic context. These aspects can be researched through actively engaging local and public expertise, experience, participation and local representation.

● Health Equity - similar to the inclusion determinant, however, it focuses upon creating health opportunities for everyone. Health equity emerges from access to the social determinants of health, specifically from wealth, power and prestige and it is achieved when everyone has the opportunity to reach their full health potential. The aim of a public space is that it considers the human scale and offers a place that everyone can use and enjoy. It will reflect social values like dignity and respect and promote trust and participation (particularly for marginalised groups).

The framework includes a set of 4 guiding principles (as seen in figure 7) to shape and assess public spaces, this includes

- Principle 1: Context

- Recognise community context by cultivating community knowledge of the existing conditions, assets, and lived experiences that relate to health equity.

- Principle 2: Process

- Support inclusion in the process that shapes public space by promoting civic trust, participation and social capital.

- Principle 3: Design and Program

- Design and program public space for health equity by improving quality, enhancing access and safety, and inviting diversity

- Principle 4: Sustain

- Foster social resilience and the capacity of local communities to engage with changes in place over time by promoting representation, agency and stability

3.4.3SuperkilenPark

24“An empty public space is a bad sign. A space performs well when people use it— especially when those people come from diverse groups and interact with each other, which promotes inclusion.”

Inclusive Healthy Places

Copenhagen’s Superkilen (nicknamed the Big Wedge) public park (completed in 2012) is located in the Nørrebro district (north of the city centre as seen in fig 8) - a multicultural neighbourhood which is popular amongst the students and creatives. Superkilen was designed by Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group (referred to as BIG) alongside German landscape architects Topotek1 and Danish independent artists Superflex. The park, stretching 750m, was designed as part of the Green Cycle Route in Copenhagen which runs through Nørrebro.

3.4.3.1Context

Superkilen is located on a narrow site between 1980’s housing projects and an old neighbourhood. Nørrebro has a fairly high crime rate - significant enough that the American embassy in Copenhagen warns their citizens about gang activity within the area. Before Superkilen was built, the area was known as the “shooting gallery” due to the high incidence of violent crimes. This reputation was attributed to drug use, gang activity, lack of cultural 24 integration and the overall disconnect of the area from the rest of the city.

The design of the park was tendered as a competition , seeking new and innovative ways to 25 enhance the architectural and urban qualities of the area. The aim was to establish a creative and diverse public space that would reflect the neighbourhood's cultural diversity and benefit the local residents of different ages, gender, religions and cultures. The competition brief, 26 which required entrants to address the challenges of the site, recognised that although a park in itself could not solve the area's complex social issues, it could elevate the area by bringing visible change to what was essentially an abandoned strip of land made up of small derelict green spaces.

The park is the shape of a narrow wedge stretching between two major roads of the Nørrebro district: the Tagnesvej to the north and the Nørrebrogade to the South. The park was designed to take advantage of the elongated nature of the site, and to improve the connections between the two roads by providing circulation for pedestrians and cyclists. Concurrently, the park was opened up to the east and west to connect the neighbouring areas which were previously disconnected and difficult to access. The collection of public furniture and infrastructure for outdoor activities (including playgrounds, benches, chess tables or sports grounds) enables the space to be a public square as well as a route used by pedestrians and cyclists. Resultantly the park is designed for commuters and to be a hub for the community.

3.4.3.2Process

Superkilen is an example of how communities can be included in designing public spaces. 27 The design process itself was termed an exercise of ‘extreme public participation’ (a method developed by Superflex) to amplify the voice and actions of the users. The architects focused on integration across ethnicity, religion, culture and languages and creation of a meeting space for surrounding residents. Residents from the surrounding neighbourhood were asked to nominate specific urban objects found in their city of origin or on their travels abroad. The suggestions included benches, playground equipment, lamps, bins, and even trees. The intention was that placement of the objects in the park would create a relationship and a sense of ownership between the residents and visitors to reflect the diverse community of Nørrebro. The nominated objects were either made at a 1:1 scale copy or bought and shipped to Superkilen Superflex travelled with five groups of residents to Palestine, Spain, Thailand, Texas and Jamaica to collect nominated objects for installation in the park. In total, the park acquired 100 different objects from more than 50 different countries.

3.4.3.3DesignandProgram

Superkilen is divided into three distinct zones denoted (as seen in figure 9) by colour and function:

The Red Square - Market / Culture / Sport

The Red Square located on the Southern side of the park, acts as an outdoor extension to the nearby sports centre. Alongside the international objects, it was important to integrate furniture promoting physical movement and play. The sports furniture aims to encourage residents in the surrounding neighbourhood to utilise the space. It also aims to counteract crime by giving young people an alternative to gang life, by offering an alternative focus to channel their energies - for example one of the international objects featured is a functional Thai Boxing Ring, and there are various curved surfaces throughout the landscape of the park to attract young skaters and skateboarders. These activities offer opportunities for the diverse neighbourhood to interact in a positive way.

The Black Market - Urban Living Room

The Black Square is located in the central section and is surrounded by a neighbourhood of 5-storey residential buildings on the East and West. The Black Square is a calmer area where people can meet and utilise a variety of urban furniture, for example, a barbeque from Argentina, a star-shaped fountain from Morocco, chess tables from Bulgaria and benches from Brussels28

The Green Park - Sport / Play

The Green Park is located in the longest and thinnest section on the northern side of the park and is dominated by grass and trees. The aim was to design a space centred around sports where people of various backgrounds could play and interact. It includes sports facilities and equipment such as gym racks from Santa Monica, USA and a basketball hoop from Mogadishu, Somalia.

3.4.3.4Sustain

Superkilen has had a positive impact on the area. Since the park opened, pedestrian and cycling circulation has increased which has improved the connection to the surrounding areas to the north and south. Additionally, the park provides improved connections to the housing areas in the east and west which were previously cut off by a fence.

Symbolic mottos of Superkilen park such as 23“A good city could not be found, you have to built it” and “If you have a good hometown, you have everything” can be found by members of the public on the Moroccan Fountain or the benches from Iran.

Superkilen has become a multi-functional space incorporating a variety of outdoor activities 29 and recreation areas, a children's playground, cycling routes, and social space. As a result, the park benefits many groups in the surrounding Norreboro neighbourhood and beyond - locals including students, young families and the elderly, all benefit from the park. Residents from the 30 adjacent, ethnically diverse, social housing project Mjolnersparken are also amongst the people who spend a lot of their time in the park - of the 2,500 people living there, 98% are either immigrants or born to immigrant families from more than 57 nationalities.31

Public Spaces in the Pandemic

The Gehl Institute conducted the ‘Public 32 Space & Public Life’ study during the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020. At the time, Denmark was one of the first countries to ‘lock down’ with the resultant closure of, amongst other things, businesses, stores, restaurants and schools. The study aimed to investigate how members of the public were using the city with only basic and essential services operating or available.

Superkilen formed part of the study brief so its use was captured in the observations - this showed an increased number of people spending time in public spaces, exercising and playing. Additionally, and more generally, the Institute observed that local meeting places adjacent to city neighbourhoods, like Superkilen, were used significantly more. The study reflected that although pedestrian movement within the city centre decreased by as much as 80%, it increased by approximately 20% in public spaces close to residential areas, such as Nørrebrogade and Amagerbrogade.

Alongside quantitative data, the Gehl Institute also collected qualitative feedback. In answer to the question “Have you used a public space during the pandemic?” 65% of the respondents answered ‘yes’. One of the main reasons given was that it was important for their mental health - a small selection of respondent statements are shown below:

● 33“They’ve (public spaces) become more important to my mental health. The roads are less full with cars so there is more space to walk”.

● “I appreciate public spaces more than I did!”

● “I think the pandemic has really shown how much we rely on these spaces for exercise, and for just getting some fresh air and sunshine”.

Respondents who answered in the negative (35%) commonly cited the reason for this as being due to circumstances outwith their control, such as isolating or looking after a loved one throughout lock-down.

The study highlights the increased use of public squares in Copenhagen by people during the pandemic. It observed that the public squares located beside neighbourhoods were utilised for exercise, play, socialising or simply being outside. It also highlighted the importance of including public spaces close to neighbourhoods so that they are easily accessible.

4.1Background

This research has highlighted the strong evidence base concerning healthy urban planning, that can influence the health and wellbeing of citizens, through actively influencing physical activity levels, degree of social interaction and amount of time spent outside, amongst other things.

To complement this, a survey was conducted to gain a better insight and understanding of the reality and ‘lived experience’ of aspects of healthy urban planning.

4.2Aim

The survey aimed to explore students’ views on their ’lived experience’ of aspects of Copenhagen’s healthy urban planning, with regard to their health and wellbeing. More specifically, it aimed to investigate whether students, currently living and working in Copenhagen, consider aspects of the urban design of Copenhagen to have a positive, negative or neutral effect on their health and wellbeing

4.3Method

4.3.1SurveyFormat

An online survey was identified as the most suitable research method for a number of reasons including:

● Allows for relatively easy collection, collation and evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative information

● Cost effective

● Time efficient

● Environmentally friendly - paperless and no associated travel costs

● Remotely bridges the distance between Copenhagen and Aberdeen

4.3.2TargetSurveyGroup

The student population at Copenhagen University was identified as the target survey group due to them being a well defined cross-section of the city’s population, and one which was anticipated to be relatively easy to make contact with through the University’s administrative system. In 2021 almost 37 000 students were enrolled at the University, with over 3 600 (almost 10%) classed as foreign students. Both the number of students and the diversity gave potential for richer feedback.

The first draft of the questionnaire was composed entirely of qualitative questions centred on eliciting the opinions of the students. On reflection however it became apparent that there was a risk the questions would become repetitive or over-complicated. To encourage people to complete the survey it was important that the questions were clear, concise and uncomplicated to answer, and that there were no repetitive questions. Additionally the language and terminology used, required to be simple and straightforward with no architectural jargon.

The second draft of the questionnaire saw a greater emphasis on quantitative feedback with use of a numerical scale (0-10) for respondents’ to rate their level of agreement with predefined statements. Although this format could enable quick and easy completion and simplify collection and collation, it was felt that the numerical scale might result in feedback which would be problematic to categorise clearly.

The third and final draft saw the initial 12 quantitative questions unchanged, but the response statements were re-formatted using a Likert Scale. This type of scale drives respondents to agree with one of a number of closed statements, ranging from one extreme to the other with more neutral responses in the middle. For this survey, the scale comprised 5 statements ranging from ‘strongly agree’ to ‘strongly disagree’ with a ‘neutral’ response option in the middle. The perceived advantage of using this scale format was that feedback could be more clearly categorised. The 13th and final question of the survey was an open, qualitative question giving respondents the opportunity to comment further their initial responses if they wanted, and also to express their general thoughts on the importance of Copenhagen’s urban design to their health and wellbeing.

4.3.4Limitations

Although chosen for valid reasons, it was recognised at the time that this type of survey has its limitations, as compared to a telephone or face-to-face interview. There is no opportunity for discussion with regard to answers and therefore generalisations have to be made. If not designed carefully an on-line questionnaire risks generating more questions than answers. Additionally due to a conscious decision to not collect personal data, it removed any opportunity to make contact with respondents to further explore their response.

4.3.5QuestionnaireDistribution

Once finalised a promotional overview of the study (namely a brief description and link to the questionnaire) was emailed to the Administration teams of 3 main schools (IT, Humanities and Law) - all based on one campus - as well as the main University of Copenhagen administration team. The covering email requested (Appendix 1), ideally, that the promotional overview be sent, highlighted or forwarded to all students. 2 of the 3 schools responded that they were unable to email the survey to their students (no explanation was given), however, they both suggested and forwarded the same link to a Facebook group page which is used by students from all the universities and colleges in Copenhagen. There was no response from the 3rd school or from the University's main administrative team.

4.3.6Ethics+DataStorage

Due to physical and mental wellbeing aspects being intrinsic to the questionnaire, it was important to consider the ethics of the questionnaire which contained potentially sensitive topics for some respondents. Resultantly:

● a conscious decision was made to send the survey to university students as they would be aged 18 and above - meaning only adults participated in the online survey

● all responses were kept anonymous to protect participant identities - this meant demographic information such as name, address, age, ethnicity, and occupation weren’t included in the questionnaire

The format of the questionnaire included an introductory cover page (Appendix 2), prior to the start of the questionnaire, which stated the research aims, and an email address in case of any queries or concerns. The cover page also stated that all collected data would be anonymous and would solely be used for academic study. Additionally it stated that results may subsequently be reported more widely through academic papers, in anonymised form. All the data was stored on the secure online survey platform approved by the university. Due to the online nature of the survey, all data submitted by the participant was sent directly into the secure platform.

4.4QuestionnaireFeedback

4.4.1QuestionnaireReturns

In total 12 responses were received, in response to the 2 distinct postings highlighting the survey on the Facebook group page - initially 3 returns were received, followed by a further 9 returns after the 2nd posting.

4.4.2Results

Clearly given the small number of returns, no conclusions can be drawn regarding how the student population of Copenhagen perceives the effect of aspects of the urban planning on their health and wellbeing. However, to help evaluate the feedback received (Appendix 3), the following assumption was made: if the healthy urban planning of Copenhagen is mainly successful from the students’ perception, responses received will largely ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ with the statements.

4.4.2.1Greenand‘Open’Spaces

● 10 people (83%) agreed (n=5) or strongly agreed (n=5) that the green and open spaces encourage them to be outside more

● Interestingly this increased slightly to 11 people (92%) agreeing (n=6) or strongly agreeing (n=5) that the green and open spaces had a positive effect on their health and wellbeing

Comment: A clear majority agreed or strongly agreed with these statements indicating that the students both use and appreciate the benefits of the green and open spaces in the city

4.4.2.2PedestrianRoutes

● Only 6 people (50%) agreed (and nobody strongly agreed) with the statement concerning pedestrian routes encouraging them to be more active. 2 people disagreed.

● 6 people (50%) again agreed (n=4) or strongly agreed (n=2) with statements concerning pedestrian routes having a positive effect on their health and wellbeing. The remaining 6 responses (50%) were neutral

Comment: Only 50% of students agreed or strongly agreed with these statements. Most other responses were ‘neutral’, except for 2 responses which disagreed with the statement concerning pedestrian routes encouraging them to be more active.

4.4.2.3CyclingRoutes

● 10 (83%) people agreed (n=4) or strongly agreed (n=6) with the statement concerning cycle routes encouraging them to be more active

● 9 people (75%) agreed (n=6) or strongly agreed (n=3) with the statement concerning cycling routes having a positive effect on their health and wellbeing

Comment: In contrast with the statements on pedestrian routes, a clear majority agreed or strongly agreed with the cycling route statements, indicating that the students both use and appreciate the benefits of the cycling routes throughout the city.

4.4.2.4TheUniversityCommute

● 8 people (67%) agreed (n=2) or strongly agreed (n=6) with the statements that they would walk or cycle more instead of using a car/bus/train. 1 person strongly disagreed with this statement

● 7 people (58%) agreed (n=4) or strongly agreed (n=3) that there are clearly defined pedestrian routes to the university

● 6 people (50%) agreed (n=4) or strongly agreed (n=2) that there are clearly defined cycle routes to the university

Comment: The majority (67%) of students agreed that they would walk or cycle rather than using the car, bus or train. Further, most of them ‘strongly agreed’ with this statement. There was less agreement (58%) regarding there being clearly defined pedestrian routes to the university, and less still (50%) in agreement that there are clearly defined cycle routes to the city.

4.4.2.5PublicSpaces

● Only 3 people (25%) agreed (n=3) and nobody strongly agreed that the public square/ plazas encouraged them to spend more time outdoors. The majority (7 people/ 58%) were neutral as regards this statement

● Only 4 people (33%) agreed (n=3) or strongly agreed (n=1) that they often use the public squares/plazas for meeting up and socialising with friends and family. Additionally 1 person strongly disagreed

Comment: Only a minority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statements on and use of public spaces. However drawing on the the observations of the Gehl institute regarding the use of Superkilen Park during the pandemic/ lockdown it raises the question as to whether this response might have rated differently if the questionnaire had been conducted during the lockdown.

4.4.2.6OtherFeedback

The final question (question 13) was ‘open text’ to afford the students an opportunity to express any pressing thoughts in connection with the questionnaire - “Explain more about any all of your responses above, and your thoughts on the importance of Copenhagen’s urban design to your health and wellbeing”

Comment:

The 4 ‘open text’ responses provided variable feedback. Generally speaking:

● 2 responses referred positively to aspects of Copenhagen's urban design - although one of the responses was actually based on the observations of the student’s friend who had visited from Toronto - the student themself had “never really thought about it that much.”

● 1 response stated that the weather was the defining aspect for them in terms of how much time they spent outside being active - “In regards to everything that covers being more active, well being and so on, it all has to do with the weather for me. If I didn't have the open spaces in Copenhagen, I would just go somewhere else to be outside and active.”

● The 4th response reflected a fairly negative viewpoint: “I don't find a lot of places in Copenhagen attractive, but maybe I just haven't found any of the hidden gems yet. I do feel like Copenhagen is mostly a transport by vehicle city, and I think that's a shame because I do think it has the potential to be a beautiful city with amazing open and green spaces but I just don't see those as it is right now”

4.5 Discussion

The results of the survey displayed some links with the evidence in the literature review and showed some relationships between characteristics of the urban plan of Copenhagen and effect on the population.

It is encouraging that there was strong agreement with the statements regarding the green and open spaces encouraging the students to be outside, and having a positive effect on their health and wellbeing. Similarly there was strong agreement with the statements regarding cycle routes, although noticeable less with regard to the pedestrian routes. The public spaces provoked least agreement with the statements - both in terms of the public squares and plazas encouraging the students to spend more time outdoors, and in terms of using them to meet up with friends and family.

The small number of questionnaires returned clearly compromises the outcome of the survey in terms of drawing any conclusions as to the effect of Copenhagen’s healthy urban planning on the perceptions of the student population. A larger number of returns would have helped ensure more convincing data and trends, however despite this the feedback received has, partially at least, indicated a positive correlation between healthy urban planning and perceptions of health and wellbeing.

On reflection, based on the responses and despite the small number of returns, it would have been useful to gain a better understanding of:

● How long the students had been in Copenhagen - this may be relevant as could affect if they are getting out and about in Copenhagen and how much they are socialising

● How familiar they are with the city - again is likely to be relevant to their viewpoint and how much they are commuting/ socialising

● Where ‘home’ is - this is because comparison with their ‘home norm’ is likely to at least partly influence their responses

Answers to these types of questions could be woven in as part of the main questionnaire - for example, those opting for any neutral/ disagree / strongly disagree options could be asked to expand their answer in a free text box whilst being prompted to consider, for example, their ‘home norm’. Although likely to generate varied responses which would be more time intensive to collate, this richer feedback would hopefully allow for greater insight whilst still enabling the survey to be carried out using an on-line survey. Alternatively it might be worthwhile considering asking respondents for consent to follow-up where any response/s would benefit from further discussion.

In effect, the combined feedback from the 12 responses received is comparable with that of a focus group. The benefit of a focus group however is that it offers the opportunity to explore responses more fully.

4.6Recommendations

The process of designing and conducting the study, and the feedback received, has been useful in identifying recommendations for change should the survey be repeated

Survey mode

● Consider a blended approach by offering the option of a telephone or video interview in addition to the online questionnaire

Target Respondents

● Recommend retaining the focus on the student population as contained and relatively easier to make contact with this distinct population

Survey structure

● Consider requesting an email address and agreement to follow-up if required to further explore or clarify responses

● Consider including a limited number of demographic questions to gain greater insight into respondents viewpoint

- for example how long they have been resident in Copenhagen, where is ‘home’

Questions

● Consider requesting additional on-line feedback where respondents choose a neutral/ disagree/ or strongly disagree response to a statement

Promotion

● Contact an increased number of universities in Copenhagen to open the survey up to as many students as possible

● Repeat contact if no response and/ or try a different contact in the university

● Investigate which other popular social media platforms/ pages are popular with student in Copenhagen and also promote the survey via these

● Contact student societies/ newsletters/ clubs to request they share information regarding the survey with their members/ followers

The primary aim of this dissertation was to investigate the role of human scale architecture and healthy urban planning in influencing the health and wellbeing of a city’s population. The research focused specifically on Copenhagen, investigating the key aspects of the urban plan which makes it the ‘Most Liveable City’ in the world. The extensive research also included a focus on the post-war history of the urban plan, and three of the city's key urban planning interventions. Practical research was also conducted to elicit views of the lived experience of students living and studying in Copenhagen.

The first objective examined the history of healthy urban planning in Copenhagen. The research was centred around the Five Finger Plan which was initially developed by the Welfare State to promote equal health and wellbeing opportunities and to make healthy choices despite their economic constraints. The city planned to adopt more road systems during the 60’s and 70’s in line with the modernist movement at the time, however, due to a lack of funding (rather than insight) Copenhagen’s focus changed from the car to the people. This had a positive effect on the wellbeing of the residents as it helped prevent urban sprawl and congestion in the city centre, and instead resulted in increasing pedestrianisation, open spaces and a cycling network amongst other changes.

The second objective explored selected aspects of healthy urban planning, chosen in line with the guiding principles and policies of the WHO EHCN. This included the study and analysis of three of the city’s current and key urban planning interventions; Stroget, the Cycle Superhighways and Superkilen. The evidence highlighted as part of the research clearly showed that a focus on human scale and making public places and routes easily accessible to people resulted in enhanced wellbeing. This was most evident by the volume of people cycling and walking throughout the city. A study conducted by the Copenhagenize Index revealed that 62% 33 of people living in the city cycle to work every day. The study also highlighted that Copenhageners don't necessarily cycle Figure 13 - Reasons for cycling for exercise - the majority (56%) cycle because it's the quickest and most convenient option. Only 19% of Copenhageners in the study cycled for exercise. This is truly active living in action (see figure 13).

“We bike all the time. We bike to the moon several times a year in Copenhagen, it’s not 34 because it’s the healthy choice. It’s because it’s the easiest choice. The city is designed for bikes and not cars.”

Katrine Schjønning, Head of Public Health for Copenhagen

The pedestrianisation of the city centre and increased cycle routes means that it's easier to travel by bike instead of driving. As seen in figure 14, there is immediate access into the city centre for cyclists which is significantly faster. For the same journey (Frederiksberg to Trangravsvej) use of a bicycle is by far the quickest option, beating the car travel time by 24 minutes - almost half an hour!

Planning for people is making the simple changes that can make a difference. For example, the majority of people like to cycle or walk with a coffee in Copenhagen - as a result the city planners implemented tilted bins on raised platforms beside bike lanes to make it easier for cyclists to throw in their rubbish. Planning for people also includes sensitive design - designing for people and designing with dignity. For example, Copenhagen’s sanitation department implemented similar bins but with collection shelves to make recovery of glass bottles for refund safer and easier for those engaged in this activity.

A study of Superkilen highlighted the importance of siting neighbourhoods close to public open spaces like parks, plazas and green spaces. Doing this has many benefits for the wellbeing of the public and has shown that people are more likely to use public spaces for physical activity and socialising. A study by The Trust for Public (an organisation with the ambition to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come) found that people living within a half-mile of a park participate in 38% more exercise per week than others who live further away.

The role of human scale architecture and healthy urban planning in influenicing the health and wellbeing of the public is clearly an essential part of the design and planning process. Copenhagen is without doubt a leading example of careful and considered urban planning on a human scale, and for this reason it is an ideal case study for consideration by any professionals involved in urban planning and design. Public health is an increasingly important topic which ahs been brought into sharp focus as a result of the current pandemic. Cities have many opportunities to support the wellbeing of their residents by providing high quality urban spaces, for example, by implementing pedestrian paths, public spaces and cycling paths. Copenhagen has demonstrated that it’s possible to adapt an existing urban plan to fit the needs of the human scale. To borrow, and slightly alter, a quote mentioned earlier in this document, if an urban plan is designed for people, it will invite more people and will result in healthier people. If its designed for the car, it will invite more cars. Copenhagen has been planned for people and as a result, the people , and the city have benefitted from it.