In the cities of today, it is often hard to escape the
streets full of buildings, cobblestone and pavement and find spaces where you
can go and enjoy nature. Copenhagen has done an excellent job of transforming
the old fortification into a variety of urban green spaces that bring nature
into the city. Each space has its own character and uses that the residents of
Copenhagen can enjoy.
Ørstedsparken was the first stop on our tour of the urban
green spaces and is a beautiful park that was my personal favorite out of all
the spaces we visited. It truly brings nature into the city and feels as if you
completely leave the city of Copenhagen. The way it is shaped, you lose the
sound of everything going on around it and can enjoy the beauty that it has to
offer. The rolling hills, curved paths, grass lawns, beautiful flowers and
elongated lake make it the perfect place for all kinds of activities. Running,
walking, picnics, kids playing and reading a book are just a few of the uses
that this park is just right for.
The next stop was the Botanical Gardens. Although this
garden had similarities to Ørstedsparken in that there was a lot of greenery
along with many flowers and trees, the character and uses were different. The
Botanical Gardens were more of a living museum that the people of Copenhagen
can enjoy. There are a vast amount of exotic plants that you would not normally
find in Denmark or even Europe for that matter. There is also a beautiful
rockery that one can explore but is also a feature you do not see in the other
urban green spaces. This garden is more of a place where you can walk through
and just take in the beautiful plants that you otherwise would not be able to
see without leaving Denmark. Finally it serves as a place of research for
scientists studying plants.
Østre Anlæg looked a lot different than the first two
spaces. It did not have just one character. It was separated out into different
parts and each part seemed to be its own space. As you walked through the
pathway it was almost as if you were walking into completely different parks.
First there was an area for children to play as well as a lake. The lake was a
beautiful feature but could also be used as a place for students to study water
life. As you continue to walk you come to an area that has places to sit and is
surround by beautiful flowers. This would be a perfect area for reading or even
a picnic. Having the path there allows for running and walking as well.
Although you can still do many of the same things you can do in Ørstedsparken,
the separation of each space changes the character of Østre Anlæg and
differentiates it.
The last stop was Kastellet, which differed greatly from the
first three urban green spaces. It is still used today as a military base,
which I find very interesting that the public is allowed to use it. You walk up
on top of the hills that form a star shape. You can walk or run on the paths
and take in the views of Copenhagen especially the harbor. Although there are
not very many things that you can do on the paths other than run and walk, for
those who enjoy those activities, it is a perfect place. It allows for a
different view for a run or walk than that of any other place in Copenhagen.
As someone who truly enjoys nature and being outside, I
think Copenhagen has done a fantastic job of creating urban green spaces for
the residents who live in the city. It gives the people a place to spend time
outside and in nature without having to even leave the city.
For more information on some of the urban green spaces
mentioned above, check out this link:
Photo Sources
How would you compare the parks and the use of the parks in Copenhagen to other cities you've been to? Do the Danes use the park more for exercise than other cities? What about walking? Picnicking?
ReplyDeleteWhat are some of the benefits that you thing Danes receive from having so many wonderful green spaces?
ReplyDeleteCompared to the parks in other cities I've been to, I don't think that the parks in Copenhagen differ all that much. I think you will see very similar uses in all of them.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Danes benefit in a variety of ways. The parks give them a place to escape from the city and be more in touch with nature. I also think that it gives them a place to exercise, spend time with their friends and family or just have a place to relax away from the city.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting that you point out that each of the parks seems to take on a different character, and some even have multiple sections that can evoke a very different feeling. I agree that Ørstedsparken park seemed to be designed to eliminate all sound from the city (with the landscape sloping downward facing the center pond). What did you think about the fact that the paths in Kastellet seemed to be elevated, almost having the opposite effect? What feeling does that evoke to enhance the garden experience?
ReplyDeleteI think that having the raised paths gives people a place to take in all that Copenhagen has to offer. You are able to see the character of the city from a different perspective than you might otherwise see somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you explained the parks as if the reader was walking through them - based on your own experiences. I especially appreciate your description of the separate spaces you felt in Østre Anlæg - almost like the compartmentalization we learned about with Lutyens and Jekyll. Have you utilized the parks during the past few months? I know I wish that I had spent more time in them!
ReplyDelete