Copenhagen, Denmark: Urban Regeneration at Economic and Social Sustainability

Abstract

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, a small country in northern Europe with only 5.5 million inhabitants. The metropolitan region has about 1.8 million inhabitants while the central borough, the city, contains half a million. This gives Copenhagen a strong position as both the largest city in the country (number two, Århus, has a population of only 300,000) and the capital with all the associated functions: national government, the parliament, central administration, and major national organizations (industrial unions, cultural institutions, media, entertainment, sport and much else) which have, with one or two exceptions, established their headquarters in the city. Thus, Copenhagen plays a particular role due to its huge size compared to the rest of the country. As the biggest city, most legislation and initiatives in relation to urban conditions have had their start in the city. There is a clear Copenhagen mark on urban thinking, planning and policies in the country.