Copenhagen South

PROJECT

SERVICES

Competition Proposals, Biodiversity and Landscaping Concepts

SPECIES

Common Swift

SIZE

approximately 46,000 square meters

WHERE

Copenhagen S, Denmark

WHEN

2023

CUSTOMER

Metroselskabet I/S

As part of Team Cobe, Building Biodiversity has contributed to the development of the master plan for one of Denmark’s largest future mobility hubs: Ny Ellebjerg Station—now named Copenhagen South. The proposal received second prize in the competition and seeks to balance high density with green urban nature in a complex intersection of infrastructure, urban life, and biodiversity.

THE MISSING LINK AT THE FOREST EDGE. Along Denmark’s longest green infrastructure—the forest edge bordering the railroad—the area currently appears as a broken link. The proposal closes this “missing link” with a green plinth that invites nature upward and creates a new urban landscape on multiple levels. The project proposes planting shade-tolerant species at ground level, white-flowering shrubs and trees on the plinth, and wind-resistant biotopes on the roofs—all tied together by the forest edge’s characteristic “white wave.”

Focus Species

Overview of Selected Focus Species

Common Swift

The common swift spends almost its entire life in the air, where it catches flying insects. It breeds in cavities in buildings and is therefore dependent on safe nesting sites. Nesting boxes, built-in nesting cavities, and a rich insect population can help this species in urban areas.

A SUSTAINABLE DAILY LIFE IN A HIGHLY URBANIZED AREA. The proposal integrates stormwater management, biodiversity, and social spaces as part of a comprehensive strategy for future-proofing. Through landscaping, green roofs, and green infrastructure, both a low carbon footprint and a high quality of life are promoted. Copenhagen South is intended to serve as an example of how urban mobility and proximity can go hand in hand with nature close to everyday life and resilient urban spaces.

PROJECT