Copenhagenization (bicycling)

For other uses, see Copenhagenization.

Rush hour cycle traffic in Copenhagen

Copenhagenization is a concept in urban planning and design relating to the implementation of better pedestrian facilities and segregated bicycle facilities for utility cycling in cities.^{[citation needed]} Copenhagenization focuses city transport on pedestrian and cycling, rather than the car, and the concomitant benefits for street life and the natural environment, the health and fitness of citizens, and the level of amenity in cities. The verb form is "to copenhagenize".

Origins of the term

The modern usage of the term is said to have originated with Danish urban design consultant Jan Gehl, who has been instrumental in their proliferation in Copenhagen.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Gehl has systematically studied public spaces to see how they really work, using Strøget and Copenhagen as a laboratory for his research. He has advised cities around the world, including Melbourne, London and New York, on how to improve the quality of urban life -- in his words, how to "Copenhagenize" their cities.^[1]

The term became broadly known in Australia after it appeared in Melbourne in city council discussions regarding the creation of bicycle-friendly infrastructure, though the term "Copenhagen Treatment" was originally used.^[2]

Independently of Mr. Gehl, urban design consultant and journalist Mikael Colville-Andersen, popularized the term in this meaning to a broader audience, starting in 2007 with the Copenhagenize.com blog^[3], that highlights how the bicycle can be an important tool in the creation of liveable cities. The term has since spread to Britain, to Europe, and elsewhere internationally. The Copenhagenize.com blog has inspired the creation of other blogs with the same focus for cities such as Amsterdam, Portland, Lisbon, Hamburg and Munich^[4][5][6][7].

See also

• Bicycle-friendly
• Bicycle transportation engineering
• Cycling in Copenhagen
• New Pedestrianism
• Walkability

References

1. ^ The Strøget Solution - Ottawa Citizen, Canada.com March 22, 2008
2. ^ Euro-style bike lanes plan for city - The Age
3. ^ The Origins of the Copenhagenize.com blog
4. ^ On your bike: What the world can learn about cycling from Copenhagen - The Independent
5. ^ Interview: 'EU must give cities strong tools for sustainable mobility' | EU - European Information on Transport & Services - EurActiv.com
6. ^ "COP15 Warm Up: Pedal Power to Light up the Christmas Tree". PR Newswire. Open Publishing. 2009-11-30. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cop15-warm-up-pedal-power-to-light-up-the-christmas-tree-78128722.html. Retrieved 2009-07-06. 
7. ^ Henriette Jacobsen (2009-12-14). "Bicycle-friendly Copenhagen a model for big cities". reuters.com. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BD2GK20091214. Retrieved 2010-01-11. 

External links

• Copenhagenization in the Danish capital from CNN's 'Future Cities' series
• Jan Gehl's talk (in 4 parts plus introduction) on sustainable Urban Planning - part of the Royal Institute of British Architects' International Dialogues, Architecture and Climate Change series (QuickTime, Windows Media Player)