99,770 95,750 99,770 95,750 82,820 82,820
First pedestrian promenade in 1962: 15,800 m2
66,150 66,150 49,200 49,200
By 1973, the network of pedestrian streets connected the most important locations in the city centre: 49,200 m2
22,860 15,800
22,860 15,800
‘The City of Copenhagen aspires to be the best metropolis in the world for people’
1962 1962
1968
1973
The network of car-free streets and squares in 2005: 99,770 m2
1988
1992
1996
1968
1973
1988
1992
1996
2005
2005
The graph shows the development of pedestrian areas in the parts of the inner city where studies have been conducted from 1968-2005. The numbers indicate m2
- City of Copehangen
City leaders understand that the socially oriented targets they can still achieve
benefits to the individual have the largest impact on behavior and choice
are environmental goals of CO2 emission reduction, economic growth and
and as more people choose NMT, the co-benefits for society are increased
global competitiveness. Three people centered goals are to increase the
exponentially. Therefore, our challenge is to align the co-benefits and direct
amount of time Copenhageners choose to spend in urban space by 20%,
benefits as much as possible to create a virtuous cycle – the ultimate win-win
increase the amount of pedestrian traffic by 20%, and ensure that 80% of
for both you and the society to which you belong. Specifically for mobility the
Copenhageners are satisfied people with opportunities for taking part in urban
city can still accommodate motorists and public transit riders by prioritizing
life (City of Copenhagen and Arup, 2011).
proximity and high quality conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Experiences from around the world show the converse is not true; we cannot create good
The Copenhagen case provides a powerful lesson - people don’t change their
environments for people by prioritizing the needs of motorists and public
behaviour when you tell them to but when the context compels them. Direct
transport capacity alone. Number of outdoor café chairs throughout the inner city study area 1986-2005 7,020
4,780 2,970
1986
1995
2005
The number of outdoor café chairs rose by 61% from 1986-1995. The number increased by another 47% from 1995-2005.
Gehl Architects · Urban Quality Consultants · Gl. Kongevej 1 · DK 1610 Copenhagen V · Denmark · www.gehlarchitects.dk