Copenhagen will be the architecture capital of the world in 2023

Copenhagen is already internationally known for its sustainable solutions and high quality of life, which prioritizes cycling culture and green urban spaces. With the title of World Capital of Architecture, Copenhagen is given a window to showcase the city's architecture and urban planning to the whole world.

“Copenhagen has historic buildings side by side with experimental architecture, sustainable urban development and green spirit holes. The city has soul and foresight, and we must preserve that. The appointment is a recognition of our amazing architectural heritage -- and it is a lever to develop the city and the industry in an even greener direction. I look forward to a year when we, together with Copenhageners and many thousands of guests from all over the world, put cultural heritage, sustainable construction and the mixed city on the agenda — and show the world why Copenhagen remains one of the world's best cities to live in,” says Mayor Frank Jensen (S).

Likewise, Mayor of Technology and Environment Ninna Hedeager Olsen looks forward to seizing this opportunity for Copenhagen:

“Now the eyes of the world will rest on Copenhagen as a city of architecture, and I look forward to showing all the good that Copenhagen stands for. We are well ahead with sustainable urban planning, and the ambition to become carbon neutral by 2025 has resonated internationally. At the same time, I think we as Copenhageners should use the year of architecture to discuss how to make the capital of the future even stronger. How we get better at looking after our cultural environments so that the city's history doesn't drown in glass and concrete. How we ensure a city that has space for everyone, for a rich and varied urban nature, and where you don't need a million-dollar income to afford a good home.”

Word Capital of Architecture is a new title offered by UNESCO to the city hosting the world congress of the international architectural association UIA, which will be held in Copenhagen in July 2023. With 10-15,000 expected attendees, it will be a highlight, but the rest of the year will also focus on the important role of architecture in fulfilling Copenhagen's ambitions as a sustainable world city.

The year of architecture is the result of a collaboration between Wonderful Copenhagen, the Association of Architects and the City of Copenhagen, and partnerships will be a mainstay of the year of architecture. Now the first step has been taken, but a great deal of commitment and expertise from the business community, institutions and not least Copenhageners is needed to be able to wrap up an exciting and festive year. Therefore, the Danish Technical and Environmental Administration will invite a partnership dialogue during 2020.Mayor for Culture and Leisure Franciska Rosenkilde (Å) said:

“Copenhagen must be a sustainable city for all — where urban development understands the integration of nature, culture and community. The architecture and development of the city must reflect the life lived. This means fewer concrete deserts and more green spirit holes, which invite life and movement. And that requires building homes that don't restrict our green spaces or become so expensive that they're not worth paying for Copenhageners. Hosting the World Capital of Architecture gives us the opportunity to show all the good that Copenhagen can do. It is also a welcome opportunity to get fresh eyes on our city, which can inspire us to new and sustainable solutions in architecture and urban development for the benefit of the city, citizens and visitors alike.”

Health and Care Mayor Sisse Marie Welling (F) said:

“This is a unique opportunity to show that our urban space in Copenhagen can support citizens to live healthy lives with a high quality of life. There must be room for different ways of using the city, because Copenhageners are different and do not have the same needs. Some want running trails and outdoor exercise equipment, while others want scenic breathing holes where peace can be found from the stresses of everyday life. Copenhagen must be able to accommodate everyone and meet the citizens where they are. There are already many good examples of this around the city, but it is also something that we must constantly focus on and develop, so that the city's many opportunities benefit everyone.”

Social Mayor Mia Nyegaard (B) says:

“It is vital that Copenhagen is a socially sustainable city. In other words, a city with room for everyone — including vulnerable and vulnerable people, of course. We need to think this into urban development, so that we ensure that Copenhagen builds quirky housing, housing offers and furnishes the urban space so that everyone can move and feel welcome in the city.” Johnny Svendborg, chairman of the Association of Architects, says: “Architecture is not just beautiful buildings and cultural environments, but a concrete prerequisite for solving challenges of social cohesion, climate change and a healthy life. Copenhagen is in many ways a model of a city where innovative solutions go hand in hand with high architectural quality. The title of World Capital of Architecture in 2023 is a great opportunity to create an open discussion about architecture and the framework for the good life. Congratulations to Copenhagen, I look forward to it!”

Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen says:

“We are very much looking forward to Denmark's capital becoming the World Capital of Architecture in 2023. We look forward to actively using it to expose the city internationally and, not least, to welcome the expected 15,000 participants at the UIA World Congress to Copenhagen. This is a very good example of strong cooperation, and of how the international knowledge congresses both generate a large turnover at the destination and at the same time can pave the way for new platforms where our capital can make itself known globally in an absolute position of strength, namely architecture.” Palle Adamsen, President of BL — Danmarks Almene Bolig, comments: “It is great that Copenhagen is becoming the World Capital of Architecture. In the public housing, we look forward to the settlement. For more than 100 years, we have democratically developed sustainable cities and communities economically, socially and climatologically — and we have some of the most beautiful Danish architecture in the public housing stock, which carries a great cultural heritage. With the news of major investment in public housing renovations, we can show the world what the public housing of the future could look like. We connect renovations, energy efficiency, digitization and accessibility. Solutions that are in demand globally and that turn urban development into prosperity. We need that, especially in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.”