Copenhagen, Denmark

Location
Copenhagen is located in Denmark and is the largest city. It is situated on the eastern
coast of the island of Zealand.

Urban Growth
Copenhagen has undergone a massive transition over time, expanding in population
and prosperity. In the 1980’s, Copenhagen had faced unemployment and economic
struggles which had encouraged people to move out of the city. The population has
increased compared to the 1980’s - there are around 40% fewer old people and around
40% more young people now. How did they grow?
Well as Copenhagen was planning, they prioritised the city’s liveability as the most
important aspect of the city’s development. All aspects of the city’s citizens were taken
into consideration such as jobs, affordable houses, etc. Pull factors:
- Employment Opportunities: Copenhagen has a diverse economy and can offer
various well-paying jobs
- Quality of Life: Copenhagen has a high reputation for high quality life with good
architecture, green environment and its efficient transportation system and
bicycles
- Strategy: Mixes economic dynamic, social inclusion, and environmental concerns
into the concept of a liveable city
- Fostering social bonds and healthy behaviours: There are also physical spaces
where people can meet, play and be active as social bonding is very important
- Health: Copenhagen encourages healthier choices such as riding bicycles
instead of cars. The city also launched clinics for stress, depression and anxiety,
prioritising happiness.

Urban Challenges
Social impacts:
The Housing market: As more people move into the city, the housing market is under
pressure and property prices rise and making housing available for the entire population
is difficult and leads to displacement of lower-income residents from their
neighbourhoods.
Economic Impact:
Income disparities: Newcomers are overall less wealthy than the current population and
the difference in incomes lead to uneven distribution of wealth.
Environmental impact:
- Pollution and climate change: Increased urbanisation can lead to air and water
pollution which leads to climate change and impacts public health.

Urban Sustainability
In Copenhagen, there are several strategies that attempt to create a more economically,
socially and environmentally sustainable urban place:
Social:
- Housing: Copenhagen focuses on providing affordable housing to prevent the
displacement of lower-income residents from their neighbourhoods. There are
affordable housing programs that are aimed at low-income residents including
newcomers which have access to affordable housing options. I think this program
will work but it depends where the affordable housing is situated, if it's in a poor
suburb or normal suburb or wealthy suburbs but overall is a great idea for helping
lower-income residents have affordable housing to prevent the displacement.
Economic:
- Wage Policies: There is a wage policy that requires employers to pay their
employees a wage that is sufficient to meet their basic needs. This helps to
ensure that workers including newcomers receive fair pay for their labour
reducing the uneven distribution of wealth. I don’t think the policy will help reduce
the uneven distribution of wealth as the wealthy may not be an employer and
may do something entirely different leaving the wealthy still wealthy.

Environmental:
- Green Infrastructure and transport: Copenhagen also has many green roofs and
walls with plants growing on them. This enhances energy efficiency as well as
reducing stormwater runoff and improves air quality. There is also sustainable
transport which helps to reduce pollution and lower greenhouse emissions. In my
opinion, this is a really great idea and it boosts so many factors and using bikes
as a main source of transport is also really great as the people get their daily
exercise in while helping to reduce pollution and being sustainable

Future Strategies
For social impacts, individuals could choose to live in different and diverse
neighbourhoods to promote social cohesion. Groups could protest for affordable
housing units within the mixed income suburbs and governments could implement
different affordable housing units in new development and a variety including wealthier
suburbs helping to even the displacement.
For economic impacts, individuals could support small local businesses and buy from
them instead of the big stores, groups could establish funds that provide financial
support for low-income people. Governments could implement policies that prioritise
contracting with small businesses to offer a more inclusive economy.
For environmental impacts, individuals could try to opt for more eco-friendly
transportation. Groups could establish community gardens to let people gather and
plant to enhance the public health and contribute to the air and water improvement.
Governments could invest in planting more trees and green projects to help reduce
pollution.