Superkilen in Copenhagen a Brilliant Mishmash of Architecture, Landscape, Art
Superkilen, an urban park designed by BIG + TOPOTEK1 + SUPERFLEX that recently opened in Copenhagen, Denmark, includes everyday objects from over 60 different cultures, and is a feast for the eyes with its eclectic collection of architecture, landscape and art. What a perfect place to take a bike ride through this lovely corner of Scandinavia.
The one kilometer (0.6 mile) urban park meanders through the Norrebro area north Copenhagen’s city center, with the result of contrasting spaces in one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in Denmark. The competition, initiated by the City of Copenhagen and Realdania Foundation back in 2005, was to build a unique urban space with a strong identity on both a local and global scale. The $17.4 million development broke ground in 2009 and opened to the public this summer.
Superkilen features three color-coded areas, each with a distinct vibe and aesthetic: the large and expansive red square serves as an extension of the adjacent sports hall and offers range of recreational and cultural activities; the black square, the heart of the Superkilen, is where residents can meet by a Moroccan fountain and play a game of chess; and a linear green stretch serves as a natural meeting place for large-scale sports activities. The three sections form the foundation for a surrealist collection of more than 100 objects from 60 cultures from Qatar to China imparts the true nature of the local neighborhood. The result is democracy and demographics contributing to a much needed green space.
Superkilen brings together objects from around the world and innovative urban design
About The Author
Leon Kaye
Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com. Based in California, he is a business writer and consultant. His work is has also appeared on Triple Pundit , The Guardian's Sustainable Business site and has appeared on Inhabitat and Earth911. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. He's pictured here in Qatar, one of the Middle East countries in which he takes a keen interest because of its transformation into a post-oil economy. Other areas of interest include sustainable development in The Balkans, Brazil and Korea. He was a new media journalism fellow at the International Reporting Project, for which he covered child survival in India during February 2013. Contact him at leon@greengopost.com. You can also reach out via Twitter (@LeonKaye) and Instagram (GreenGoPost). As of October 2013, he now lives and works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
