Copenhagen, Denmark - Max Freyberger
COPENHAGEN is the capital of Denmark, the largest city in the country, and the second largest city in Scandinavia after Stockholm. The urban area of Copenhagen is coastal, contained entirely on the islands of Zealand and Amager. Since World War II, the city has developed along the “Finger Plan,” constructing neighborhoods around sophisticated transportation infrastructure. Copenhagen has also undergone considerable development since connecting to Malmo, Sweden via the Oresund Bridge in 2000.
As a coastal city, many of Copenhagen’s neighborhoods press directly up against various waterways and canals that cut across the urban fabric. Most of the city is in relatively low-lying areas, with only slightly hilly neighborhoods in the northwest. Like other older European cities, the central portion of the city is a dense historic district around which the more modernized neighborhoods have developed.
Historically a traditionalist city, Copenhagen has undergone tremendous growth and transformation since the conclusion of World War II, after which it experienced a period of rapid industrialization. The dawn of the 21st century has marked a new era in Copenhagen’s history, characterized by an expansion of the service industry, growth in its educational institutions, and an increasing presence on the global stage for arts and architecture.
Copenhagen has risen to prominence for its urban planning and transportation infrastructure, which focuses on the widespread implementation of cycling lanes and public transit. The cityscape of Copenhagen is incredibly diverse, with neighborhoods ranging considerably due to their historic and geographic character.
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As a coastal city, many of Copenhagen’s neighborhoods press directly up against various waterways and canals that cut across the urban fabric. Most of the city is in relatively low-lying areas, with only slightly hilly neighborhoods in the northwest. Like other older European cities, the central portion of the city is a dense historic district around which the more modernized neighborhoods have developed.
Historically a traditionalist city, Copenhagen has undergone tremendous growth and transformation since the conclusion of World War II, after which it experienced a period of rapid industrialization. The dawn of the 21st century has marked a new era in Copenhagen’s history, characterized by an expansion of the service industry, growth in its educational institutions, and an increasing presence on the global stage for arts and architecture.
Copenhagen has risen to prominence for its urban planning and transportation infrastructure, which focuses on the widespread implementation of cycling lanes and public transit. The cityscape of Copenhagen is incredibly diverse, with neighborhoods ranging considerably due to their historic and geographic character.
The Districts and Quarters of Copenhagen, with yellow indicating areas of higher density
Population:
Urban: 659,350 people
Metro: 1,378,649 people
Area:
Urban: 90.0 square km
Metro: 292.3 square km
Population Density:
Urban Average: 7,254 people/km2
Metro Average: 4,71 people/km2
Top Right: Nyhavn - The famous historic harbor and tourist destination
Bottom Left: Orestad - New development in the city and site of several Bjarke Ingels projects
Bottom Right: Port of Copenhagen
Politics:
The metro area of Copenhagen is consists of 16 municipalities, each of which is responsible for various public services like planning, maintenance, public housing, etc, with the largest municipality by far being Copenhagen itself. The Copenhagen City Hall or “Radhus” is the seat of the municipal council, and can be found in the historic city center. As the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is also the city where much of the national administration is seated, including most of the country’s high courts and its parliamentary body, The Folketing.
Building Typologies
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Urban Void![]()
Neighborhood Studies
1. NORREBRO
2. REFSHALEON
3. FREDERIKSBURG
Perimeter Plus
This proposal seeks to create high density housing for Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood using insights from the urban architecture of Copenhagen. The development implements Copenhagen’s famous perimeter block housing strategy, which prioritizes natural light and easy access to shared green space. These features may create a more attractive version of high density housing for Detroit residents, who are often accustomed to single family homes with considerable yard space. In order to maximize density, the development extends the perimeter block upward, breaking it up with terracing and slopes that allow sunlight within interior courtyards and units. Residents can live in relatively private lowrise housing on the southern end of the block, or can embrace the more urban lifestyle of mixed-use northern highrise structures. To optimize access to greenery and thereby maintain the approach of Copenhagen perimeter blocks, much of the roof is converted into urban gardens or recreational areas to ensure all residents have such amenities. Market corridors and pedestrian pathways permeate the block as well, linking together commercial centers, public green spaces, and existing circulation throughout the site. By utilizing and expanding upon the strategies of Copenhagen, Perimeter Plus explores a new approach for attracting Detroit residents to high density living .
Sources
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Sørensen, Eva, and Jacob Torfing. “The Copenhagen Metropolitan ‘finger plan.’” Great Policy Successes, 5 Sept. 2019, pp. 218–243.
Rocheleau, Mitchell. “The Urban Transformation of Copenhagen.” ROST ARCHITECTS, 7 Oct. 2024, www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2024/8/29/the-urban-transformation-of-copenhagen.
Konkol, Jonathan. “Perimeter Blocks.” Plan Design Xplore, 30 Sept. 2019, www.plandesignxplore.com/buildingportland/2019/9/13/perimeter-blocks.
Heward, John. “Row Houses.” Danish Architecture and Design Review, 26 Mar. 2015, danishdesignreview.com/copenhagen-journal/tag/row+houses.
Munch, Asser. “Bellahøj Houses.” Copenhagen Architecture, 5 Aug. 2021, copenhagenarchitecture.dk/bellahoj-houses/
Vooght, Clare. “The Best Copenhagen Parks and Gardens.” Plum Guide, 13 Nov. 2023, www.plumguide.com/journal/the-best-copenhagen-parks-and-gardens.
Young, Mike. “Seven Unique Places In Historic Copenhagen.” University Post – Independent of Management, 21 Aug. 2020, uniavisen.dk/en/seven-unique-places-in-historic-copenhagen/.
Konkol, Jonathan. “Perimeter Blocks.” Plan Design Xplore, 30 Sept. 2019, www.plandesignxplore.com/buildingportland/2019/9/13/perimeter-blocks.
Bela, John. “Learning from Copenhagen: A Focus on Everyday Life.” THE DIRT, ASLA,
dirt.asla.org/2021/12/02/learning-from-copenhagen-a-focus-on-everyday-life/.
Bican, Nezih Burak. “Spatial design in recent housing developments in Copenhagen: A perspective of social mix and mixing.” Open House International, vol. 48, no. 4, 28 Feb. 2023, pp. 729–748, https://doi.org/10.1108/ohi-04-2022-0112.
“Urban Rigger - the Coolest Student Housing in the World?” Visit Copenhagen, www.visitcopenhagen.com/copenhagen/planning/urban-rigger-student-housing-big-gdk1120565. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
“CPH Village - Refshaleøen.” Arcgency, arcgency.com/cph-village. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
“Refshaleøen - Copenhagen’s Post-Industrial Oasis .” Quartier Collective , www.quartiercollective.com/uncategorized/refshaleoen-copenhagens-post-industrial-oasis/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
“Frederiksberg’s City Strategy 2024.” City of Frederiksberg, June 2024.
“Borgmester Fischers Vej Apartment.” SITU, www.staysitu.com/serviced-apartments/frederiksberg/denmark/borgmester-fischers-vej-apartment. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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