Post by COWI

We're investigating what happens when cars are out of the picture Across major cities, we are seeing a growing willingness to question how much space we give to cars and what might happen if that space is returned to people and green areas. Streets once designed primarily for traffic are being transformed to make room for greener, calmer and more human urban life. Some for good, others to experiment and gain knowledge. Right now, at Vesterbro Passage in Copenhagen, we are getting wiser. The vision of transforming a busy transit corridor into a place for people has become reality, at least for now, through a temporary urban space experiment running from May to November. Together with our colleagues at Arkitema, we have supported Københavns Kommune with the design and planning of a car-free urban space where everyday movement, pause and social life can unfold. The main road, Vesterbro Passage, connects the busy square Rådhuspladsen with Tivoli and Copenhagen Central Station. But in the coming months, the four-lane, heavily trafficked road has been reduced to two bus lanes and a cycle path. The remaining space has been given back to the city through a continuous timber deck built in modular elements with varied seating, room for events and a lush planting of trees and perennials. An integrated seating edge with lighting defines the geometry of the space and invites people to stay. The official opening took place Monday, and the people of Copenhagen have already taken the temporary urban space to heart. During the trial, our specialists will continuously evaluate how the space is used during the day and evening, how safety is perceived and how traffic flows adapt. We are looking forward to following how Copenhageners take this new urban room into use and what we can learn from it for future city streets.