Copenhagen Lectures 

We were lucky enough to have lectures from two different agencies during our stay in Copenhagen. The first was Gehl Architecture, which is an urban research and design agency responsible for much of Copenhagen’s bicycle infrastructure. Gehl now works worldwide to implement and design infrastructure like what we see in Copenhagen. The second was Copenhagenize, a design and architecture agency that continues to work on Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure. After both lectures, we were given tours of the city and saw the public planning successes and failures in Copenhagen. I will briefly go over what I learned in each lecture.  

Gehl Architecture –  

At Gehl Architecture, Andreas Røhl gave an amazing lecture on the history of Copenhagen and their research to develop such a flourishing cycling culture with seemingly flawless public planning. Gehl explains that they take a people first approach to planning which is very contrary to the common planning from above strategy. Gehl plans for life (people), then space, and finally buildings. The infrastructure then becomes fit to the lives of citizens. Røhl explains that something Gehl always keeps in mind is transportation as people centric. Gehl always wanted to expand cycling infrastructure to Copenhagen and encouraged us to celebrate the small successes and focus on the fact that if there is better cycling infrastructure, more people will bike. Røhl also explained the importance of connections and communication in the planning field, which is something I have been thinking about a lot.  

Copenhagenize –  

At Copenhagenize, we learned from the self-proclaimed bicycle urbanists about the work they do in not only urban planning and design but also communications and education. Copenhagenize explained to us their strategies in understanding what and how people act. I learned that Copenhagen only spent a little over 300 million on bicycle infrastructure. This is inspiring to me because it shows me that money is not what is necessary to make change going back home, it is public support and change in culture. We then on our tour got to see some of the flawed planning, which is usually where the people using the infrastructure act differently than intended. Copenhagenize stresses the importance of using the simplest design option for ease and practicality.  

Reflection –

Both lectures were extremely inspiring to me. I loved to see the office spaces that these design companies have, and it makes me inspired to hear and see all the cool ideas that come out of those offices. I am inspired to continue to grow and make connections in the planning field and use what I learned about the planning in Copenhagen and take it back home. This especially goes for the culture shift and ideas that both agencies stressed about making biking easily and accessible for everyone. This was truly a liberating feeling to have even as a visitor to Copenhagen, where basically everything I could need is a short bike ride away.  

 

Thank you for reading!

Yours,

Macy