Copenhagen: European City of the Year
Copenhagen has been crowned European City of the Year at the 2017 Urbanism Awards.The Academy’s judges praised Copenhagen for its collaborative approach to planning the development, which has over the past 20-years put citizens at the heart of decision-making.
Thursday, November 17, 20
The city fought off strong competition from fellow finalists Eindhoven and Montpellier during a summer of assessment visits and subsequent vote by the Academy. The City Architect, Tina Saaby, collected the award.
The Academy’s judges praised Copenhagen for its collaborative approach to planning the development, which has over the past 20-years put citizens at the heart of decision-making. Its open governance and ‘unplanned planning’ have resulted in a string of exceptional spaces that have blurred the lines between public and private ownership.
Steven Bee, chair of the Academy, said:
“Copenhagen is a capital city that has set the standard for intelligent, inclusive and sustainable urban management for the last 40 years. It continues to grow within its established borders, creating new neighbourhoods at high densities with high levels of amenity and distinctive neighbourhoods around an accessible and inclusive centre that makes the most of its harbourside setting. It is a worthy winner.”
The award is one of five given out annually by The Academy of Urbanism to recognise the best, most enduring or most improved cities, towns, neighbourhoods, streets and places. Voted on by Academicians, who include leading architects, planners and developers, each award looks at a number of social, economic and environmental factors, including good governance and commercial success.
Reflecting on the Awards, now in its eleventh year, Steven Bee said:
“The Academy of Urbanism annual Urbanism Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our 15 finalist places, all nominated by Academicians for their evident success and the lessons they offer to other places seeking to emulate it. Our finalists this year, possibly more than any other, are a selection of places that offer useful lessons for all urbanists – and we are all urbanists.”
Read more about the Academy of Urbanism and the 2017 Urbanism Awards here.
(Source: The Academy of Urbanism)