The coolest Copenhagen urban retrofit you’ve never heard of

In early May I traveled to Copenhagen with hopes that the city might meet my high expectations — As a guy who’s big on urban waterfronts and how they develop, I was pleasantly surprised that it did. 

And no place was more intriguing to me than Refshaleøen, a former industrial site for shipbuilding and maritime industry that has been revitalized into a lively network of activities and public spaces. The multi-use space has everything from food to saunas, all while successfully preserving the shipyard’s gritty, industrial character. For urban planners and designers, it’s an excellent example of how adaptive reuse and a strong, people-centered approach can transform a manufacturing site to a cultural landmark. 

Refshaleøen’s Evolution

History of the Site and Land Ownership 

Refshaleøen is a man-made island in Copenhagen’s harbour, and began as a major shipyard for Burmeister & Wain in the 1870s. By the mid 1900s B&W became the largest workplace in Denmark, making the port and shipbuilding industries major components of Copenhagen’s identity. Like other industrial ports worldwide, de-industrialization during the back end of the 20th century impacted the shipyards, and B&W went from the top employer of the country to completely bankrupt by 1996. 

B&W’s bankruptcy led to a change of ownership over the area, with  Refshaleøens Ejendomsselskab, a property company owned by four pension funds, becoming the majority landowner. 

After 1996, Refshaleøens Ejendomsselskab slowly evolved the area into a place for arts and culture, where creatives and entrepreneurs could benefit from the cheap rents of existing shipping containers and old halls for new uses. By 2009, the area was permanently opened to the public, and Refshaleøens Ejendomsselskab became more selective about the activities and businesses they would lease to, acting as a curator and a negotiator to ensure tenants were compatible with the image they had in mind for the area: a space that maintained the industrial identity and gritty character, but also celebrated creativity and culture. The result is a waterfront space gleaming with authenticity. 

Placemaking Success

Refshaleøens Ejendomsselskab developed the character of the island by populating it with activities that are compatible, and span a wide range of interests. Through adaptive reuse, the company successfully transformed a space meant for shipbuilding into a hub for culture and leisure.  

Activities & uses 

The diverse set of activities and uses at Refshaleøen are a major generator for public use. Food and drink prevail (as they often do) in attracting large quantities of visitors (and spending), but the overall range of uses and activities, from small businesses to recreation and housing (like CPH Village and Urban Rigger) works cohesively. For example, some people may come for one thing, like rock climbing, get something to eat after, grab a beer, look out at the water and check out a shop or two on the way out, all in the same place. This mix of uses is more likely to generate activity on a regular basis and encourage people to stay longer, unlike places with few, or only one, type of use. 

Year-round use 

In cities with colder or harsher climates like Copenhagen, successful public spaces understand that they cannot only consider how to encourage public use in the best summer weather, but in the colder winters as well, ensuring more consistent use year-round. Saunas, hot tubs, ice skating, heated beer gardens and Christmas markets provide enjoyable seasonal activities to ensure continued public use in the area throughout the winter.

Events & programming 

Both small and large scale programming and events have been important for attracting visitors and building the reputation of the area. Music festivals have commonly been held on the island, with recurring heavy metal festivals such as Copenhell, EDM festivals and Eurovision in 2014. Events for art, photography and culture also support local artists, communities and demographics. All of these activities have built the reputation of the area by welcoming various interests, and normalized people going a little further out of the city centre to reach it. 

Interaction with the water 

Lastly, the area appropriately interacts with the water. Not through high profile development or flashy new spaces, but through simple measures. Refshaleøen’s gritty character has been maintained, meaning people can walk along wharves which are mostly unchanged from their industrial past. Fewer seating options right next to the water does not stop people from sitting on ledges and dangling their feet above the water — an option which is not discouraged by railings and fences which condemn fun in the name of safety. And, much of the available seating is oriented towards the water, encouraging people to do one of the most popular waterfront activities: simply looking at the water. 

Next to Reffen’s food stalls, artificial sand and beach chairs provide a relaxing and playful element on the waterfront (and at a low cost). Places to enter the water are also present, with swimming areas and a marina meeting the needs of recreational swimmers, tanners, kayakers and sailors.

Refshaleøen’s lessons

Taking the organic approach to placemaking 

Refshaleøen’s evolution shows us that revitalization efforts and the creation of successful public spaces does not need to be forced. The area began building its character and reputation in a somewhat organic manner, attracting  artists and vendors who flourished in the cheap spaces Refshaleøen provided.  The early organic development has made the place much more authentic than it might have been with strict and structured management from the jump. Over the course of 30 years, a nearly abandoned area turned into a destination which receives swaths of visitors and creates substantial economic output. 

Many places could benefit from a planning approach which allows interesting things to appear and gain traction gradually, with public use and the local economy growing as a byproduct. Provide places suitable for the endeavours of artists and small business owners, and they will follow. 

Private investment has tremendous upside 

This may go without saying, but partnerships with private companies can have tremendous upside. It was perhaps very lucky that a private landholder prioritized this sort of development rather than looking for a quicker way to turn a profit, but it shows the potential that private investment can have in revitalization and public space activation, particularly for cities looking to fill gaps in public funding. Having one major landholder (rather than many landholders) has also made it much easier for Refshaleøen to uphold the character of the area and manage tenants, making for a more connected network of spaces and activities. 

Authenticity attracts 

Refshaleøen is undoubtedly a unique part of Copenhagen. Through adaptive reuse and its variety of activities and unique tenants, the area celebrates the historical context while providing new and exciting places for people to gather and live. The lesson it provides is this: celebrate what makes your place unique, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box.