Reflecting upon the group walking tour, now go out and map your own route through your favourite part of the city with what you consider to be the best ‘civic design’ attributes. The map should be made with the intention that you could give it to one of your fellow DD Classmates as an exciting design exploration guide under the theme ‘CIVIC DESIGN GEMS IN COPENHAGEN’.
The city of Copenhagen in itself is a ‘civic design gem,’ however there are certainly a few highlights you can’t miss on your visit to the Danish capital. If I wanted to show someone around the best parts of the city this is the route I would follow.
1. We would arrive to town via one of the three types of trains (metro, S-tog, or regional) at Nørreport Station. Nørreport is the one place where the three meet and is a major transit lifeline of Copenhagen. Beyond the trains, the first things you notice upon emerging at street level are the hundreds of bicycles parked at the station. These rows of bike racks speak volumes to the important role they play in transit around the town.
2. Next we’d make our way north before turning east to head into King’s Garden. Although there are many parks to pick from, Kings Garden has several distinctive features. First, it is located in the middle of the city, showing Denmark’s strong commitment to the environment and green space. It also showcases a royal castle that speaks to the country’s allegiance to its past while still being a progressive place.
3. After making our way east through the garden we would arrive next at Amalienborg Palace. Although a private residence, the Palace courtyard is open to visitors. I believe this is an important stop because it shows how welcoming and open the country chooses to be. Additionally the palace sits in the middle of an axis that extends from the marble church to the new Royal Opera – a very important series of buildings.
4. Following our stop to see the Queen we’d continue south to the beginning of Nyhavn and walk past the colorful cafes to the beginning of Strøget. These two places are worth noting because they eliminate car traffic and give the street back to the pedestrian. Additionally, Nyhavn rests next to the harbor, which illustrates its importance to the city. Continuing south on Strøget, one quickly discovers how strongly the pedestrian (and cyclist) is considered in the planning and redevelopment of the city.
5. As Strøget comes to a halt, we find ourselves in the City Hall Square. This place is important because it serves as a central bus hub for Copenhagen. Not to mention the City Hall where important civic planning decisions are made is located adjacent to the bustling traffic center.
6. Finally, we’d finish our tour at the Harbor Baths to take a dip and cool off after a long and thorough tour. The Baths are important because they prove the city has cleaned up the harbor water and is constantly trying to make it a place for the people.
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