How to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! Lessons Learned from Copenhagen

Isabel Kaubisch, Clarendon Hill Consulting LLCHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

How to create a livable and resilient neighborhood!● Introduction: Resilience to climate change● Copenhagen’s resilient approach● Blue and Green Infrastructure (BGI)● BGI applied to the neighborhood level: Copenhagen Osterbro

○ Osterbro’s St. Kjelds Neighborhood– prior to transformation○ Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for St. Kjelds Neighborhood ○ Tasinge Place Redesigned: 1st Cloudburst Area

● Public Engagement● Outlook

Biggest GHG emitters (by sector): ● Transportation ● Buildings (heating, cooling)● Energy Production

Source: Lifeofpix

Source: Steamenginerevolution Source: Blurpoint

Introduction: Resilience to Climate ChangeHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Introduction: Resilience to Climate ChangeHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Effects of Climate Change (examples):● more heavy and more frequent rain events ● more heat days and heat waves.

Pictures: Atlantic City after Hurricane Sandy (Fox News, Concrobium, NOAA)

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Introduction Resilience to Climate Change – Cloudburst eventsHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Pictures: Atlantic City after Hurricane Sandy (Fox News, Concrobium, NOAA)

Source: Union of Concerned Scientists

Cloudburst Events – A wake-up call for Copenhagen

● Heavy rainfalls in a few hours similar to a 1,000 year storm event

● Substantial damage to houses, infrastructure and stores

● Insurance damage: USD 717 - 770 Mio

● New approach: Blue Green Infrastructure

Figure: Cloudburst event (Source:www.copenhagenize.com)

Figures: Copenhagen Clmate Adaption Plan (http://www.slideshare.net/OECD_ENV/tolstrup-copenhagen-adaptation-plan)

Introduction: Resilience to Climate ChangeHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Resilience (Definition):1. “The ability of a substance or object to

spring back into shape; elasticity. 2. The capacity to recover from or adjust

to change.”

Copenhagen’s resilient approach

Copenhagen’s resilient approach How to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

● Copenhagen’s Climate Action Plan shows path to reach carbon neutrality by 2025.

● Copenhagen’s Climate Action Plan addresses GHG emitters through city-wide approach:

○ Green Mobility incl. carbon free public transportation○ Energy efficient public buildings○ Renewable energies and district heating / cooling

● Copenhagen’s approach:○ Holistic (cross- sectoral)○ Long-term ○ Innovative○ People centered ○ Embedded in economy goals.

Blue Green InfrastructureHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

●

Blue Green Infrastructure● Multi-functional and flexible● Stores rain water temporarily● Balances water system through

reduced peak discharge (storm water runoff) and sustained base flow rates.

Blue Green InfrastructureHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Blue Green Infrastructure - Principles● Blue Green Infrastructure concept developed for the city

and neighborhood level.● BGI - project goals:

○ lead rainwater away from streets, homes and basements

○ Create attractive urban spaces for people’s enjoyment

● Concept includes: water retention areas, cloudburst roads etc.

Figures:Left: Cloudburst Streets in Osterbro. Right: Rainwater Catchment Basins (Source: City of Copenhagen, Tredje Natur)

Blue Green InfrastructureHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Trejde Natur Master Plan designs respond to cloudburst while making the city more livable.

Blue Green Infrastructure (BGI) More than a climate change adaptation approach!

Blue Green InfrastructureHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

How does BGI – building with nature – work?● Large asphalt and tarmac areas are replaced with permeable surfaces such as water

resources and natural habitat (green spaces, parks)● Multi-functional green and blue infrastructure store rain water temporarily ● Water system is balanced through reduced peak discharge (storm water runoff) and

sustained base flow rates ● Multi-sectoral approach:

○ Park amenities are upgraded for recreation, exercise and social activities

○ Increase in value and attractiveness of urban area.

“A combination of traditional sewer and BGI is cheaper and better for citizens. You get benefits in two areas, but only pay for one.” Lykke Leonardsen, Head of Program for Resilient and Sustainable City Solutions, City of Copenhagen

Blue Green Infrastructure applied to neighborhood level: Copenhagen OsterbroHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Osterbro’s St. Kjelds Neighborhood:

● Old working class neighborhood

● Laid out for wide avenues (but trees never planted)

● Unused tarmac● Little amenities for outside

use ● 247 acres

Osterbro’s St. Kjelds Neighborhood– Prior to transformation –

Blue Green Infrastructure applied to neighborhood level: Copenhagen OsterbroHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Tasinge Place - BeforeSt. Kjeld Square - Before

Blue Green Infrastructure applied to neighborhood level: Copenhagen Osterbro - ConceptHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

● Reclaim 20 % of street area by optimizing infrastructure and parking lots

● Transform large asphalt surfaces into green corridors

● Manage 30 % of rain on new surfaces.

Graphic: Tredje Natur, Master Plan Climate Resilient Neighborhood

Concept: Greening of streets & improved urban space

Climate Adaptation Strategies for St. Kjelds Neighborhood

Blue Green Infrastructure applied to neighborhood level: St. Kjeld Neighborhood DesignsHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Milestones:● Oct 2011: City issued

Climate Adaptation Plan● 2011: Master plan (MP)

for St. Kjelds Neighborhood awarded to Tredje Natur

● Dec 2014: New “Tasinge Plads” (Cloudburst Area) opened

● Spring 2018 (expected): St. Kjelds Place completed

Figures (clockwise): * Design Plans for St, Kjelds and Tasinge Place; * Tasinge Place; * St. Kjelds (Source: Tredje Natur)

Blue Green Infrastructure applied to neighborhood level: Tasinge Place Redesigned How to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Tasinge Place Redesigned – First Cloudburst Area –

Public engagement process

Climate Change Adaptation Master Plan - Public Engagement Process How to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

● Bottom up neighborhood planning approach

● People’s needs and wants are included on various levels:

○ Involvement in design process and decision making

○ Development of multiple residents projects.

Ostergro rooftop farm is run by the local community group.

Outlook: Livability

Outlook: LivabilityHow to create a livable and resilient neighborhood! SNEAPA Presentation 10/20/16

Photo: Cycling Infrastructure (Source: Danish Architecture Center)Photo:Outdoor Dining, Meatpacking District Photo: Temporary playground in Carlsberg City

● What makes Copenhagen “the most liveable city”?● Long-term planning with and for the people.● Investments are made in areas valued by residents: improved options for bicycling and walking, new recreation

options through developments of new parks and green areas are noteworthy examples.● It has been shown that spending (active) time outside near water or natural habitat benefits the mind and body.