Jernbanehaven Proposal
Putting nature first
2021
Introduction
As one of the last undeveloped industrial sites of downtown Copenhagen, Jernbanebyen offers a unique opportunity to critically re-imagine the future of cities. Our proposal is based on the idea that the success of a city is measured by the quality of its public space, in which nature plays a critical role.
Nature, in securing biodiversity and food production, as well as health and well-being, is key to futureproofing our cities and securing our very existence. With Jernbanehaven, we put nature first, making it the backbone of the development.
Together with WE Architecture, Snøhetta developed a vision for the area set to preserve every building and structure on site, continuing the area’s rich history and identity. From there, the site is made into a grand park. By giving the site back to nature, Jernbanehaven becomes a recreational zone for residents as well as a much-needed escape from the bustling city life for both Copenhageners and visitors alike.
Technical details
Jernbanebyen
Photo: Lucian Racovitan
Smaller neighborhoods are carefully placed within the park, flipping the usual narrative of creating parks within neighborhoods. Additionally, 600 000 square meters of mixed-use program aims to bring production back to the city, creating vibrant places to both work and live. Blending seamlessly with the public park, each quarter focuses around a neighborhood plaza, while semi-private backyards create different scales of community.
Photo: Lucian Racovitan
Photo: Snøhetta & WE Architecture
Photo: Snøhetta & WE Architecture
The masterplan is designed on the principle of a car-free city with site-specific solutions to improve public transport, accessibility, and energy production, moving towards a more sustainable way of living. Using cutting-edge computational algorithms and simulations, we have strategically modelled and tested the plan based on an array of quality parameters, ensuring responsivity relevant to the ever-changing needs of the future.