Byen Danmark

Byen Danmark

Denmark is one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with a high concentration of the population living in cities, as 90% of Danes live in just over 10% of the country's area. The book Byen Danmark  (“City of Denmark") describes the development of how Danish cities have changed from the mid-1800s to the present day and how the boundaries between city and countryside have blurred. The resulting "City of Denmark” and its issues depend on a variety of factors, including urban planning, transportation infrastructure, environmental sustainability and social equity. 

This publication is an essential starting point for the debate on how future life in Denmark could look like.

"When I observe the public debate on urban development, there is a very simplified understanding of what a city is. What is called a city is understood to mean a big city. The country is so different, but the truth is that 90% of Danes live in cities. There are many different types of cities, but we have forgotten that in our language and thus also in the debate", says Tom Nielsen. "When the debate takes place on simplistic terms, the reactions also become blurred. If you want to restore a balanced Denmark, you cannot work with generalized policies, but must understand the different types of cities and what strengths and challenges they have. We simply need a better understanding of the subject than we have now if we are to take up the debate.” 

Tom Nielsen, professor at the Aarhus Architecture School