Projekt 919603 udført af Ida Stople og Fogelinah Cuperus.

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We called our structuring elements for urban greening the green, blue- and grey structure. The idea of implementing green along these three main structures, was called the grey, blue- and green concept. This method made us able to exploit the existing qualities of the city, it offered new access and possibilities for slow movement.

The urban situation will be improved to a wider extent than just implementing pocket parks at available spots: The green ring will program the secluded parts of the embarkments and make it accessible to a wider range of user groups. The blue concept will make Holmen and Christianshavn an integrated part of the city. Even Refshaleøen can be taken into use by the public in order not to be fully privatized. The blue concept will activate waterfront. Kilometres of contact with water could be used according to the needs of today. The grey structure will make areas with traffic more robust and able to function on different levels.

Arriving Copenhagen there were two things that strucked us. First, the city seemed extremely big. Everywhere was so far away. Standing in the street surrounded by enormous buildings, one could see kilometres ahead. The second experience was all the movement. Cars, buses, bikes, people –the moving elements did a big impression me, different speeds and forms, exciting and exhausting at the same time.

Starting working on this competition, the reason for our first experience was soon to be found. Most of the historical city centre is planned on a big scale and even built on artificial land. It is ruled by a strict order, straight lines, planned horizons, axis and views. The green is reduced to large formal parks built by the king as a representation and fortification.

An analysis of the infrastructure also showed a big difference in density of movement. Some streets in the Metropolzone were heavily loaded with traffic while areas east in the city were almost left alone.

Working along a hypothesis that movement is the most determining factor for the different parts of the city, the city should be read through its movement in order to be understood. How does it work? How is it used? This understanding was very important for us before implementing green elements. We wanted it to be an integrated part in people’s city life and to do as much as possible for the city users.

There seemed like most people moved along the streets where fast movement is the dominant factor. We wanted to contribute to the city with possibilities for slower movement. How could the green help us with that?

How could green elements could improve upon the exhausting experience with city life? What was the potential of the green in a traditionally grey city? And how should it be implemented for biggest impact and use?

The answer to these questions was easier to be found than first feared. They were actually lying just in front of us. Looking at historical maps of different dates, we could read three main elements for the form of Copenhagen has achieved. First, the ring around the city, the fortification and the edge of Copenhagen in the old days. Second, we saw that the harbour had once been the most important element in the city.Third, the main movement lines of today, the infrastructure of road and rails.

We called our structuring elements for urban greening the green, blue- and grey structure. The idea of implementing green along these three main structures, was called the grey, blue- and green concept. This method made us able to exploit the existing qualities of the city, it offered new access and possibilities for slow movement.The urban situation will be improved to a wider extent than just implementing pocket parks at available spots: The green ring will program the secluded parts of the embarkments and make it accessible to a wider range of user groups. The blue concept will make Holmen and Christianshavn an integrated part of the city. Even Refshaleøen can be taken into use by the public in order not to be fully privatized. The blue concept will activate waterfront. Kilometres of contact with water could be used according to the needs of today. The grey structure will make areas with traffic more robust and able to function on different levels.