A Greenspace Retrospective

Copenhagen is known for its diversity in greenspace in terms of style and design. The provisioning of public greenspace continues to be honored here, propelling the effort to generate new greenspaces to serve the needs of the people. One renowned contemporary park in Copenhagen would be the Superkilen in Nørrebro. 
Opened in 2012, the Superkilen was designed under consultation with the surrounding neighborhood. In the end, a dynamic social space was created that is truly one of a kind. By comparison, the Superkilen was designed very differently than historic parks in Copenhagen. For example, the Botanisk Have (Botanical Garden) in Nørreport exemplifies a completely different energy and environment than the Superkilen. 

SUPERKILEN
Clockwise from top: Entrance to the Red Square,
street art, & the Giant Squid playground.

The three different areas of the Superkilen; The Red Square, the Black Market, and The Green Park, all incorporate unique art that symbolizes the cultural identity of the culturally diverse Nørrebro neighborhood. The space also changes in purpose as it flows from one end to the other, giving visitors a variety of choices on what activities they can join. Each of these spaces are very specialized in design, compared to that of the city's large scale historic parks. One positive change undertaken by the design of the Superkilen was the inclusion of community engagement in the design process. As a result, the space stands out for having a clear cultural influence that represents the surrounding community. This quality of design stands out for breaking the traditional limitations of Danish greenspaces.

The Black Market Hill

Landscape architect's plan of the Superkilen
The Red Square, The Black Market, The Green Park

Looking at the Botanical Garden, we see a very traditional usage of greenspace, where botany is paramount. Probably the most notable of differences between the two parks would be the absence of bicycles in the garden. In contrast, the Superkilen is defined by its meandering cycle track, reaffirming Copenhagen's respect for bicyclists. Normally this prioritization is celebrated, but the central location of the cycle track can be seen as disruptive to the greenspace and pedestrians. Furthermore, the heavy focus of bicycling and physical activity tends to neglect the values of disabled individuals and older citizens. On the other hand, the Botanical Garden creates a peaceful environment for all types of people. It simultaneously allows one to enter bike-free so that they can completely experience the beauty, social, and educational value that the park represents.

 

BOTANISK HAVE
Clockwise from top: University of Copenhagen Greenhouse,
a strolling pathway, & green space along the lake.

After looking at the contemporary and historical side by side, I recognize that the creation of a greenspace must take into account first and foremost the people who use it. As Copenhagen continues to become a diverse and modern city of the twenty-first century, new greenspace must take into account successful design guidelines of old and new greenspaces in the city's history. This reflection reminds me of a greenspace that I have been working on as an urban designer in my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland U.S. The park, Section.1, will be the world's first "Art Park" where artists will be given space to perform, display, and create art. The Superkilen reminded me of this project in that it is trying to accomplish a specific goal of projecting art and diversity, but is also concerned with making the park accessible to all citizens of Baltimore. All of these considerations are essential in ensuring efficient design and productivity of the park at hand.