Enlarging the sewers would have been the most obvious solution to solve the problems. However, this would not only be very costly but also lead to construction works throughout the city for decades without any further benefits.

Climate adaptation projects

It was expected that the problems would only get worse due to climate change. The City therefore decided to implement climate adaptation projects, starting in the neighbourhood Østerbro. This was a neighbourhood with large asphalt surfaces, that was originally constructed for wide and green avenues. The trees were however never planted, making the streets look too big and empty. Arranging the streets according to present standards would allow 50.000 m2 of green space to be created.

Østerbro’s transformation

With the help of Tredje Natur, the City of Copenhagen set out a vision in 2016 to transform this area into the city’s first climate resilient neighbourhood. Østerbro would become a neighbourhood with green streets, green urban squares and cloud-burst streets that would divert rainwater away from the neighbourhood. Also, the urban spaces, courtyards and streets would all become connected to ensure that the rain could flow through the various implemented projects. The water that would not be able to infiltrate the ground, would have an outlet to the next system.

Since 2016, several projects have been implemented successfully and others are being developed. Next to these projects, the neighbourhood’s residents have also contributed by initiating their own green projects, such as a rooftop farm, green roofs and (open) gardens with raised planting beds.

Carl Nielsens Allé - from busy parking lot to green oasis

A more recent project implemented in Østerbro is the transformation of a busy parking lot at the Carl Nielsens Allé into a green vibrant urban space (2023). This project, designed by WERK, is multifunctional as it not only contributes to flood protection, but also serves as a barrier against traffic and creates space for recreation, play and relaxation for the residents living nearby.

During heavy rainfall, the green oasis turns into a water reservoir. Also, it acts as a waterway by directing rainwater from the roof of the adjacent sports center into the rainwater reservoirs within the oasis.

The installed benches invite neighbours and residents for a conversation or a moment of relaxation, while children can play or discover the life in the wetlands. There is also room for cultural activity as the bunkers situated within the project space have been preserved and are used as rehearsal spaces by the city’s music bands.