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2018
COPENHAGEN URBAN LABEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AMAGER STRAND
COASTAL RESILIENCE
Published by Ramboll A/S
September, 2018Climate Adaptation and Landscape, Ramboll Water
COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
CONTENTS
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
THE URBAN LAB 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
THE COPENHAGEN LENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AMAGER STRAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
Denmark has a very strong water sector known for innovative partnerships and cooperation. The links between water management and urban planning are strengthening and integrated planning approaches are increasingly applied.Joint efforts across traditional planning corridors are provoking a transformation towards more liveable cities.
Copenhagen is a great example of such efforts with city-wide strategies, catchment specific cloudburst masterplans and co-created projects at the local level. In 2020 Copenhagen will host the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition under the theme Water for Smart Liveable Cities. The conference will gather thousands of professionals passionate about water and provide an opportunity to showcase the nordic approach to building resilient communities and for mutual knowledge-sharing. Key in securing a sustainable water future is our workforce of tomorrow. The urban lab supports both!
The Copenhagen Urban Lab 2017 was organized and led by Rambøll, co-hosted by the City of Copenhagen and supported by different organizations in the Danish water sector. 6 young professionals from around the world spent 10 days in the City working on cloudburst management and Skt. Jørrgen’s Lake.
A similar setup made the Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018 possible. Jointly funded by the City of Copenhagen, the Utility for Greater Copenhagen (HOFOR), the Young Water Professionals Denmark (YWPDK), Vand i Byer, Kamstrup and
Rambøll, 8 young and international professionals spent 10 days in the City building concepts for storm surge protection in Amager Strand.
Both urban labs have been successful in providing input and perspective on climate adaptation to the City, and in providing capacity building to the young professionals and across the local and global water sector. Our aspiration is to organize an Urban Lab every year leading up to the conference in 2020, thereby challenging and inspiring the path towards water-wise communities, capacity building both locally and internationally, and connecting the water sector locally, internationally, and across generations.
This executive summary presents the background, setup, process, findings and conclusions from the Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018. It is prepared by the team and reflects their understanding of challenges and solutions. We hope,that their ideas will inspire Amager Strand, the City and beyond, and that their process and learnings will serve as inspiration for other cities and young professionals. I would like to congratulate the entire team with an innovative and impressive outcome and to complement them on their extraordinary effort, collaborative skills, drive and openness throughout the entire process. I look forward to continued collaboration towards 2020 and onwards!
On behalf of the entire Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018 organizing team,
Trine Stausgaard Munk
photo by Arlen Stawasz
IWA WORLD WATER CONGRESS & EXHIBITION COPENHAGEN 2020
FOREWORD
4 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
SHORT TERMLow-hanging fruits - Potential of implementing short-term local initiatives which can be established within a short time frame and prevent damages during smaller storm surges up to 2.20 meters at Amager Strand.
Storm surge protection 2017 - Potential of implementing long-term local initiatives which provides protection to a level equivalent to a 1000 – year storm surge in 2100 as defined in the Storm Surge Plan. This means protection to 2.6 m at Amager Strand.
The City of Copenhagen is ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world and also aspires to become one of the most resilient.
In 2011 Copenhagen published a Climate Adaptation Plan, which documented the City’s exposure and vulnerability to climate changes, including sea level rise and storm surge, today and in the future. A risk assessment estimated the potential consequences, which included the disruption to the City’s district heating system, two wastewater treatment plants, and certain sections to the City’s railway network. This combined disruption has the potential to cause between DKK 7.3 - 11.8 billion (USD 1.13 - 1.83 billion) over the next 100 years if the City “does nothing” to build storm surge protection. This assessment prompted the City Council to order a Storm Surge Plan, November 2016.
In 2017 the City of Copenhagen adopted the Storm Surge Plan, which specified an outer
city protection scheme for Copenhagen. . Until the vision of the plan is established, it is recommended to investigate the potential of implementing short-term local initiatives, which can be established within a short time frame and prevent damages during smaller storm surges.
Map of the outer barrier in Copenhagen //Stormflodsplan, Københavns Kommune, 2017
LONG TERM
STORM SURGE IN COPENHAGEN
Sea level rise and storm surge //Stormflodsplan, Københavns Kommune, 2017
COPENHAGEN
+ 2.20M SEA LEVEL RISE
STORM SURGE
Illustration of methodology for assessing the protection level for storm surge in Copenhagen
2100
1000 year storm surge
Sea Level Rise
Freeboard for waves
2015 2050
5EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The focus of the Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018 is the balance between functions, quality, and storm surge protection on limited space, and was inspired by questions such as:
• What should coastal protection look like in the future?
• How can coastal protection mechanisms improve the liveability and quality of a city?
• What is currently best practice storm surge protection for cities?
• How does these practices vary across the globe and how can they be applicable in Copenhagen?
• How can playing with materials, design and implementation help unfold the variety of
options cities have for coastal protection, beyond a traditional flood wall or levee?
• How can short term strategies be integrated with long term strategies?
The Copenhagen Urban Lab team 2018 was challenged with producing two overall outcomes:
ToolA tool or catalogue of storm surge measures focusing on recommendations in relation to planning and design approaches to materials, multi-purpose, implementability, financing, etc.
Design
DE
NM
AR
K’S
CLI
MA
TE
CH
ALL
EN
GE
S
SEA LEVEL RISE
STORM SURGE
CPH URBAN LAB FOCUS 2018
CPH URBAN LAB FOCUS 2017
CLOUDBURSTS
EXTREME HEAT
CHALLENGE
In cities, space is a limited resource and a limiting factor for storm surge protection. So how do we balance the inevitable need for climate adaptation with the constraints of a city?
Application of the tool or catalogue on the case area of Amager Strand, selected by the City, to build a high-level conceptual design for the site, to meet both short term and long term sea surge risks.
For 10 days, the Urban Lab 2018 team worked with the City to learn about its history, its present, and its vision for the future. They developed two outcomes, a tool (the Copenhagen Lens) and a conceptual design (a new social waterfront for Amager Strand), which they will present on the following pages. Enjoy!
6 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
THE URBAN LAB 2018PROGRAMME
Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018 - overall programme
5th Arrival - Welcome & introduction
6th Climate adaptation in Copenhagen
7th Design processes, materials and decision-making
8th Building the catalogue
9th Communicating the catalogue
10th Storm surge protection in Amager Strand
11th Building the concepts
12th Building the design
13th PRESENTATION - City dialogues & stakeholder input
14th Wrap up & next steps
We began our journey listening and learning from a fantastic array of presentations from landscape architects, urban planners, and engineers from local consultancies, the City of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and the region’s major utility HOFOR. Ramboll introduced us to the basic understandings of storm surge planning, including considerations to decision-making on protection levels and risidual risk as well as applying multiple protection lines and building phased pathways for incremental protection over time.
Below, a shortened version of the overall programme is presented.
Reflecting through these talks and our own experience, we quickly came to realise that
coastal adaptation is not simply a technical challenge, but equally a social one. And soon we were faced with the unshakable question:“How do we, in the face of climate change, want to use our coastal areas?”
This question defined our design journey and delivered the ‘Copenhagen Lens’, a stakeholder engagement tool that provides a pathway for municipalities to develop a guiding vision for coastal adaptation. The challenge on creating the tool was largely experienced at the beginning of the program when we were immersed in design process. After the Copenhagen Lens was conceptualised, the process of refining it and applying it to the case study area (Amager Strand) was an enjoyable process of creation and discovery (albeit a very time constrained one).
photo by Soledad Roman
7EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Each team member was carefully selected from the many applications received based on individual profiles and the overall, constellation of the team, consisting of eight young professionals. Together, we covered the academic areas of landscape design, architecture, urban planning, water management, socio-economics, awareness-raising, flood protection design and innovation.
ACRO
SS DIS
CIPLINES & GEOGRAPHIES1 Urban Planner1 Education and awareness
2 Water Professionals
1 Architect
1 Socio-Economist
1 Flood Protection Design & Innovation Entrepreneur
1 Process & Institutional Design
8 YoungProfessionals
BRITTANY MEECEBoston, USAProcess & Institutional Design
IRMA PETALund, SwedenEducation and awareness
SOLEDAD ROMANLondon, UKFlood Protection
ANDREW BUCK New York, USASocio-economics
STEVEN BUCKMelbourne, AustraliaWater Professional
MELVIN SOLOMONPhilippinesWater professional
ARLEN STAWASZBoston, USAArchitecture
HAI ANH NGUYENKenya & VietnamUrban Planning
We worked in a range of styles across the program, as a team, but also in sub-groups and individually when appropriate. It was entirely up to us to figure out the most effective and productive working strategy, and also to learn and have fun along the way.
We brought our individual experiences to the Lab to help make this dynamic and diverse group perform!
TEAM MEMBERS
THE URBAN LAB 2018
8 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
EDUCATION + AWARENESS
PROCESS + INSTITUTIONAL DESIGNWATER PROFESSIONAL
FLOOD PROTECTION URBAN PLANNING
WATER PROFESSIONALARCHITECTURE
SOCIO-ECONOMICS
photo by Lars Angantyr
photo by Arlen Stawaszphoto by Soledad Ramon
TEAM DIVERSITY
THE URBAN LAB 2018
9EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
THE COPENHAGEN LENSA NEW METHOD FOR COASTAL PLANNING
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTALSOCIAL
WE SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY
After listening to a wide variety of presentations from a diverse set of stakeholders, the Urban Lab team agree, that the challenge of coastal adaptation is not merely a technical one, but a social one. Successful and timely planning, design, and implementation of coastal protections requires enabling regulations and policies, community awareness of climate change risks, public and political buy-in, and strong partnerships and coordination between agencies.
It is important that the process of deploying coastal strategies is performed in a collaborative manner so all interests, whether social, economic, or environmental, are considered and balanced in the future management of these areas.
However, a systematic methodology has yet to be developed to capture various interests and priorities to see the development of holistic coastal solutions. Typically many interests, opportunities and synergies are lost in the
traditional coastal planning process, producing an outcome that:
• does not serve the needs of the region/city,• does not consider multiple time horizons or
the strategy’s life cycle,• does not improve the resiliency of an area,• does not achieve potential synergies to
other plans and provide urban quality
TRADITIONAL COASTAL PLANNING
The challenge of coastal adaptation is not a technical
one, but a social one.
1. Understand the coastal system
2. Assess the future
3. Evaluate the risks
4. Decide if action is required
5. Plan and design
6. Implement
10 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
THE COPENHAGEN LENSA STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TOOL
ENGAGEMENT WITH
COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND
THE PUBLIC
COMMUNICATION TOOL BETWEEN AGENCIES AND
PARTNERS
INPUTGATHERING FOR PLANNERS AND
DESIGNERS
STRATEGIC PLANNING
FOR DECISION MAKERS
COMMUNICATION TOOL BETWEEN
TECHNICAL EXPERTS
In order to address these common pitfalls, we developed the Copenhagen Lens. The Lens can be applied to traditional planning processes and guide physical and non-physical solutions, speak to local context , and offer a platform for collectively exploring and defining different visions of coastal protections. This tool builds a common language across diverse groups, encourages a documented and transparent process, and consolidates many different perspectives into a strategic direction. The Lens increases awareness and collaboration, allows discovery of synergies, and integrates stakeholder values into coastal solutions. As a result, it leads to cost-effective and multi-functional approaches to coastal adaptation.
The Lens is a visual tool that provides a method for capturing, understanding, and balancing the set of present and/or future core values unique to a coastal region. These values are then used to guide the coastal adaptation planning and design process for a holistic outcome.
The Lens is structured in the form of a Ven Diagram between the three broad principles of sustainable development: Social, Economic, and Environmental. Each of these principles are represented by five core values, which serve to aid the local application of the Lens.
Inspired by the informative presentations from experts across the City of Copenhagen, the Urban Lab Team summarized their findings into five values for each of the pillars of sustainability (social, economic, and environmental). These values were also compared to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and were vetted by the team internally – utilizing the knowledge, experience, and various perspectives of their international and multidisciplinary expertise. The focus was that the application of the lens would also help contribute to the SDGs.
The Lens is designed to be flexible enough to relate to local contexts worldwide, to be used with a variety of stakeholders throughout planning, design, and implementation, and to be used as a facilitation tool for both internal and external discussions. This includes gathering input for planners and designers, acting as a communication tool between technical experts, serving as a strategic planning tool for decision-makers, engaging with community members and the public, and communicating between agencies and partners.
The Lens supports the
SDGs
THE LENS DELIVERS:
11EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
THE COPENHAGEN LENSBUILDING A COMMON LANGUAGE
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
The economic principle captures concepts that support equitable, viable and effective solutions for a prosperous and sustainable coastal economy. It encourages stakeholders to reflect on the importance of creating long-term economic value out of whatever decision or project is being undertaken, while considering the other aspects of sustainability. It promotes financial mechanisms to guide “smart growth” such as land use planning, reclamation, subsidies and/or tax breaks for sustainable development.
The social principle is based on concepts that support the betterment of society. It encourages stakeholders to reflect on the value of communities and their importance for overall health and well-being. It promotes values that support community cohesiveness through celebrating diversity and advancing levels of community communication, education, and participation. It also seeks to enhance a community’s sense of place through cultural integration and shared ownership.
The environmental principle refers to concepts that protect and restore our natural ecosystems and resources. It encourages stakeholders to reflect, respect and appreciate our natural life support systems, their ecological limits, and see that they are maintained, restored and integrated in any decision or project. It also looks to support and harness ecosystem services for their overall long-term functionality and benefit.
12 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
Create spaces that allow people to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, physically, mentally and culturally
Develop interventions for communities, with communities.
Enhance transparent communication and societal groups.
Consider the needs and preferences of different groups in the society.
Raise awareness and build community literacy.
Support economic activities and community services for greater employment opportunities. Proactive investment leading to lower costs into the future.
Economic structures incentivize stakeholder buy-in and contribution.
Activation of underutilized spaces to create unique branding and stimulate economic interest.
Supporting shared use of public spaces and accessibility along coastal areas.
Respect coastal ecosystems and seek to maintain and restore.
Thoughtful initiatives that harness ecosystem services for community benefit.
Support human exploration, interaction, and learning of environmental processes.
Inspire people to nurture nature and protect the quality of shared spaces.
Promote a circular economy: refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Support low impact development.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS
NATURE FIRST
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
INVEST IN THE FUTURE
THRIVING WITH WATER
WORKING TOGETHER
ENABLING ACTION
CONNECTION & FEELING
FOR EVERYONE (AND EVERYTHING)
PLACEMAKING
CLEAN AND HEALTHY
COLLECTIVE UNDERSTANDING
ACCESSIBLE COAST
AIM FOR ZERO
13EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
THE COPENHAGEN LENSAPPLYING THE LENS
The Lens can be offered in several media depending on need; from a facilitated workshop using a physical ‘disc’ to a virtual and interactive tool. Regardless of the media used, the Lens requires carefull facilitation/curation to guide the conversation between stakeholders and reinforce the interdependencies between core values and principles that are highlighted by the visualization.
For example, in a small group of internal stakeholders, a facilitator could ask each participant to select their most important values and ‘swing’ them into the central area of the lens, then asking them to share with the group their reasons for doing so. Taking turns to do the same with each participant, the facilitator would guide several rounds, until a consensus on a set of core values is made, and thus becomes the focus of the project at hand.
For a larger group setting, the facilitator could take a similar approach with break-out groups, or use technological voting devices or apps to reach a consensus on values. The Lens could be applied mutiple times with different stakeholders, collecting general core value outputs throughout the process.
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
GUIDINGLENS
SOCIAL
FRAMEWORKThe overlap between the principles represent the interdependencies that can co-exist between them and how one value can deliver on more than one pillar.
The central intersection of the three pillars represent the unique ‘Lens’ that balances the values of sustainability.
The lens is an output of collaboration
Use the lens to guide
strategies
The Lens Process: Core values from the three pillars are selected to develop a unique ‘lens’
14 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
THE COPENHAGEN LENSAPPLYING THE LENS
“SERVING SUGGESTION”
Internal use1. Consultation (internal stakeholders)2. Create lens output(s)3. Develop preliminary design ideas
External use1. Consultation (wider community)2. Create lens output(s)
1. Understand the coastal system
Assess the future
Evaluate the risk
Decide if action is required
COPENHAGEN LENS
Plan and design
Implementation
Physical ‘disc’ prototype of the Lens
2.
3
4
5
6
7
The Lens provides guidance towards physical interventions that are incorporated into planning, design, or construction as well as non-physical strategies such as social programmes, regulations, and policies, or communication strategies. Because the Lens is mostly qualitative. it requires thorough documentation of the discussions, insights and outcomes. Once documented, the outcomes must be organized and distributed as planning and implementation of coastal strategies continues. For this purpose, the Lens can also be used iteratively to help share previous insights.
To ensure the applicability of the tool, we tested it on the coastal site of Amager Strand, selected by the City as the case area for the Copenhagen Urban Lab 2018. The design process was informed by the Lens to ensure coherence between the design ideas, inspirational applicability, and to update any lessons learned in the design process back into the Lens.
The following section describes how the Copenhagen Lens was conceptually applied to Amager strand.
15EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
photo by Arlen Stawasz
CASE STUDY AREA
The study area is located in the south of Copenhagen. Amager Strand is protected from high waves from the constructed barrier island of Amager Strandpark. The location of the coastline makes this area vulnerable to storm surges.
Amager Strand is the area on the land side, behind Amager Strandpark.
As noted in the Storm Surge Plan 2017, the storm surge protection of the east coast of Amager must be linked to the existing planning and urban development in the area, including cloudburst planning, with several cloudburst roads ending at or around Amager Strand. The
green stretch along parts of the east coast of Amager, the value of views, relationship with green spaces, beach, park and sea are key aspects.
Amager Strandpark is to be protected to:
1. Ensure the area remains as a recreational beach.
2. Maintain the general public’s right to access and make use of the. beach area.
3. Secure the area as part of the regional system of green areas, especially the coastal green areas along Øresundskysten.
4. Ensure that Denmark’s national obligations to protect nature are respected.
AMAGER STRAND
photo by Arlen Stawasz
16 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
AMAGER STRAND
The visions for Amager Strandpark were formulated in the early 1980s by local grassroots and various stakeholders. Openness was to be the predominant quality in the area, and the beach line was to be moved further out to form a better beach. The area was to be a lively landscape for human activity. The gap between the new area and the existing coast was to be maintained in the form of lagoons serving as protected areas for water activities. Over a period of 20 years, local and regional authorities were involved to an increasing extent and the necessary plans were prepared and adopted. Once the 200 million Danish kroner had been allocated, the beach could be designed, planned and established
relatively quickly. The project was based on an open dialogue with various stakeholders: focus groups, interest organisations and local users were involved in a continuing effort to develop the project’s qualities.
Today, Amager Strandpark is fully finished with jetties, islands, promenades, paths, dunes, green areas, beach stations, etc. In the southern and central areas of the “Strandpark”, a number of specially designated areas are available for further development, are now under ways.
http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2013/01/amager-beach-by-haslov-and-kjaersgaard/
Overview of area around Amager Strand
COPENHAGEN
image from Google Earth
AMAGER STRAND
HISTORY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Aerial image courtesy of Google Images
A NEW WATERFRONT
AMAGER STRAND
18 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
AMAGER STRAND
19EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
METR
O
M
SITE APPROACH
Amager Strand is located on the east coast of Amager. Access to this area is currently dominated by the vertical transportation links (train, M1 and M2 metro lines and bus services) that connect Copenhagen Airport with central Copenhagen. The proposed design intends to encourage horizontal movements as well as the integration of the surrounding neigbourhoods.
The Lens provides a strategic vision for the study area, including the inputs from the stakeholders and consolidating a way forward in the design approach. The selected values of the Amager Strand Lens were applied in a sensitive manner with regards to existing physical and non-physical attributes. This led to three distinctive areas, that together capture all the values important to the region, see page 22.
Our team tested the Lens in Amager Strand and determined the community core values by being site specific. The team measured the values through research and analysis with key stakeholder interviews including the local city government. They also played a game simulated by a local artist that developed the hearth of this approach. Visiting the site informed this process
as well, as experiencing it first hand generated the team’s rigorous understanding of the culture and context.
CONNECTI
VE CORRI
DOR
NAT
UR
PAR
K A
MA
GER
PROTEC
TION
STORM SU
RGE
THE SITEAMAGER STRAND
Aerial image courtesy of Google Images
photo by Arlen Stawasz
Overview of the area surrounding Amager Strand and the different connections
AMAGER STRAND
20 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
photo by Arlen Stawasz
AMAGER STRANDTHE STORM SURGE SOLUTION
The figures below show the estimated flood extent for a 2.6 m storm surge (including sea level rise) and scenario before and after the implementation of the proposed flood defences described in the next pages. The figure on the left represents the existing situation at Amager Strand where there is no protection against storm surges. It can be observed that without protection hundreds of properties will be flooded due to storm surges causing severe personal and material damages and costing million of DKKs in this area. The proposed design intends to solve this problem through the implementation of different lines of protection adapted to each area. The figure on the right shows the flood extent in the study area once the storm surge protection defence of 2.6 m is implemented.
Below is a conceptual rendering of the potential design outcomes utilizing the Lens as a driving force for coastal planning and adaptation measures.
Without Protection With Protection
Sea Level at +2.2 meters
STORM SURGE AT 2.6 METERS
WITHOUT PROTECTION WITH PROTECTION
map from Scalgo Aps map from Scalgo Aps
“Do Nothing Scenario”
21EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ECONOMIC
NORTHERN SECTION- Busy commercial area
- Quiet residential area
- Isolated area
MIDDLE SECTION
SOUTHERN SECTION
ENVIRONMENTAL
Site Design + Programme Approach
THE CORE VALUES
NATURE FIRST
CONNECTION & FEELING
ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS
PLACEMAKING
HEALTH & WELLNESS
FOR EVERYONE (AND EVERYTHING)
The Amager Strand Lens
SOCIAL VALUESENVIRONMENTAL VALUES
ECONOMIC VALUES
AMAGER STRAND
SOCIAL
22 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
The area is located next to high density buildings and local businesses where eye level views are not a constraint. It is the main access to Amager Strandpark due to the proximity to the metro station. The elements of the design need to incorporate a good connection to the existing harbour and clear routes to other destinations in this area. This area has little shade or points of interest. The design of this section was driven by the two main economic values: of Livelihoods and Enabling Actions
The strategic design approach for this area encourages employment opportunities and allows private buy-ins and contributions.
NORTHERN SECTION
ENTRY PLAZA PARK
ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS PLACEMAKING
AMAGER STRAND
PLANNING FOR STORM SURGE
COAST
ECONOMIC LENS EMPHASIZED
EXISTING CONDITION
OBSERVATIONS:• High density environment• Close to metro• The gateway to Amager
Strandparken• No shade• No wayfinding /
connection to harbor
ECONOMIC
23EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The neighbours living in this area appreciate views to nature and tranquillity. The design must respect and enhance the protected and fragile environment. It is a popular place to walk dogs. The design needs to include places for moments of pause as well as defined routes for pedestrian traffic. The design of this section was driven by the two main environmental values: Nature First and Connection and Feeling
The strategic design approach for this zone must respect the existing coastal ecosystem and encourage human exploration and learning of environmental processes.
MIDDLE SECTIONNATURE FIRST
AMAGER STRAND
PLANNING FOR STORM SURGEENVIRONMENTAL LENS EMPHASIZED
EXISTING CONDITION
CONNECTION & FEELING
ENVIRONMENTAL
PARK WETLAND LAGOON BEACH
OBSERVATIONS:• Protected and fragile
environment• Pedestrian traffic is
dominating the space• Suffering from erosion• Dog-walking strip• No moments of pause
24 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
The area is suitable for noisy activities due to its location in front of an historical fortress and an office building. It is desirable to keep the existing grass space for social activities. There is no current interaction with water or places to sit down. The space is underutilized and not attractive enough for the everyday user. The design of this section was driven by the two main social values: Health and Wellness and For Everyone and Everything.
These values establish that the strategic approach for this zone must include spaces where people can enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle as well as spaces that consider the needs of different social and cultural groups.
SOUTHERN SECTION
AMAGER STRANDHEALTH & WELLNESS
COMMONS CANALWAY BEACH
EXISTING CONDITION
FOR EVERYONE & EVERYTHING
SOCIALOBSERVATIONS:• Space is used for events• No where to sit down• Social activities do not
interact with the water• Not inviting enough • Space is underutilized• Room for activity/noise
PLANNING FOR STORM SURGESOCIAL LENS EMPHASIZED
25EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EVERYDAY USE AND ACTIVITIES
ECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOCIAL
Aerial image courtesy of Google Images
AMAGER STRAND
26 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
SHELTER
EDUCATION + MEETING PLACES
ARTS + MARKETS
ARCHITECTURE + CAFES
RUNNING + CYCLING PATHS
WATER SPORTING ACTIVITIES
URBAN FARMING
NATURE WALKS
RELAXATION
CONCERTS
OUTDOOR CLASSES
ROCK CLIMBING
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES + SPORTING CLUBS
27EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
NORTHERN SECTION The design of the northern section is focused on the economic values. It includes the design of a modern, wave-inspired structure that provides a new public space as well as storm surge protection. The new plaza connects vertically and horizontally providing a better connection to the existing harbour and Amager Strandpark. The top of the structure is designed to integrate the movement of pedestrians and bikes. It also has spaces of pause and shades. Since the structure is elevated, it provides nice views. Restaurants and shops are located in the lower level to allow local people to create new businesses. Sport activities have been moved from the middle section to this area where noise is
not a main constraint. A specific space within the protected side has been allocated to practice different sport activities as well as competitions.
In order to enhance the depressed ecosystem of this area, a realignment of the shoreline has been proposed allowing water to enter inland and creates a more interesting biodiversity.
The concrete structure is our line of protection against storm surges up to 2.6m in this section.
DESIGN OUTCOMES
MIDDLE SECTION The design of the middle section is focused on the environmental values. It includes the improvement of natural wetlands, a protective dune system, and relocation of noisy activities to the northern section in order to bring back tranquillity to this part of Amager Strand.
The proposed wooden footpath is designed taking into account the visual impact from the adjacent villas and with a water tight core that provides a line of protection for storm surges up to 2.6 m.
The wooden footpath will provide a clear path for walkers in this area protecting the
fragile ecosystem against foot traffic. It allows for moments of pause and brings people closer to the natural ecosystems and water. The design can easily be changed due to the morphology of the natural terrain and the improvement of the wetlands can help lower flood levels and decrease erosion.
The dune system and wooden footpath are our first line of prtection against storm surge in this section.
SOUTHERN SECTION The design of the southern section is focused on the social values. It includes a section with concrete steps located in the water front that protect from storm surges up to 2.6m to provide protection for the long term. The proposed protection can include decorative rocks and vegetation to achieve a natural look. A foot bridge has been included to improve the interaction of people with water.
The green area is maintained for the celebration of important social events as well as for the enjoyment of the everyday users of the park. A tower with a rock climbing wall has been
included in the lower right hand side. The structure of the tower uses materials and colours which simulate the local trees. This landmark will encourage people to visit the area to enjoy the views from the top and will support an active lifestyle.
The concrete steps in the water front canal and the multipurpose tower are our first line of protection against storm surge in this section.
AMAGER STRAND
28 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
SHORT + LONG TERMPROTECTION LINE
SHORT + LONG TERM
PROTECTION LINE
PROTECTION LINES
SHORT + LONG TERMPROTECTION LINE
AMAGER STRAND
29EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Stine Maj Krigslund, City of CopenhagenLykke Leonardsen, City of CopenhagenTina Saaby, City of CopenhagenAnders Edstrand, City of CopenhagenVillads Keiding, City of CopenhagenKaren Lauritzen, City of CopenhagenLars Anker Angantyr, City of CopenhagenEva Christensen, City of CopenhagenJulie Skydstrup, DTU Karsten Arnbjerg Nielsen, DTULotte Bjerregaard, DTU
Jes Clauson-Kaas, HOFORThor Danielsen, HOFORChrstian Liljedahl, IllutronPaul Høilund, NORRøNChristian Nyerup Nielsen, RambøllTrine Stausgaard Munk, RambøllMarianne Skov RambøllKai Kanafani, SBIAnne Katrine Esbjerg, SLAToke Panduro, University of CopenhagenKirsten Prisum, YWPDK
We would to give a special thank you to the following people:
CONCLUSION
The 2018 Copenhagen Urban Lab concluded with a presentation and the publication of this executive summary. The presentation stirred great interest from key stakeholders involved, including members of the International Water Association (IWA).
This executive summary was prepared to circulate the outputs of the program and communicate our experience. Our vision for the program was to develop a tool that could assist coastal communities adapt to the challenges of sea level rise and storm surges.
We began our journey listening to and learning from a fantastic array landscape architects, urban planners, and engineers from Rambol and other local consultancies, the City of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and the region’s major utility HOFOR.
Reflecting through these talks and our own experience, we quickly came to realise that coastal adaptation is not simply a technical challenge, but equally a social one. And soon we were faced with the unshakable question:
“How do we, in the face of climate change, want to use our coastal areas?”
This question defined our design journey and delivered the ‘Copenhagen Lens’, a stakeholder engagement tool that provides a pathway for municipalities to develop a guiding vision for coastal adaptation.
The challenge of creating the tool was largely experienced at the beginning of the program when we were immersed in design process. After the Copenhagen Lens was conceptualised, the process of refining it and applying it to the case study area (Amager Strand) was an enjoyable process of creation and discovery.
Within this intense programme, each member gained valuable experiences, new partnerships, and learned important lessons about coastal adaptation and human-centred urban design.
We hope that this executive summary gives an overview of our process, learnings and outcomes as part of the Copenhagen Urban Lab. We also hope that the lessons learned during this programme will be applied to the next Urban Lab. We would like to once again express our great gratitude and appreciation to the hosts and sponsors of this event. We hope that we will be able to share our experiences with other and future Urban Lab participants and meet once again at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in 2020!
Sincerely,
The 2018 Copenhagen Urban Lab Team
WHAT WE LEARNED
30 COPENHAGEN URBAN LAB 2018
photo by Ramboll
photo by Ramboll
31EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Trine Stausgaard MunkHead of ResilienceNorth America
CONTACTMarianne SkovFlood Risk SpecialistDenmark
“In order to solve complex problems, we need diverse perspectives - the
Copenhagen Urban Lab brought together young multi-disciplinary professionals from across the globe to tackle storm surge, one of the greatest challenges in the history of
mankind.”
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