Copenhagenize

Copenhagenization is a concept in urban planning and design relating to the implementation of Copenhagen-style bicycle lanes in cities. Namely creating segregated bicycle facilities for utility cycling. The term is said to have originated with urban design consultant Jan Gehl.

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. [Ottawa Citizen, March 22, 2008 - [http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=d47ee45e-4f47-4b2b-b947-ab95578e2e8a Online Version of article] ]

The term became broadly known after it appeared in Melbourne, in city council discussions regarding the creation of bicycle-friendly infrastructure. The term [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/eurostyle-bike-lanes-plan-for-city/2006/09/02/1156817151269.html Copenhagen Treatment] was also used but it quickly evolved into copenhagenizing.

The term 'copenhagenize' [Cyclopædia of Political Science, Political Economy, and the Political History of the United States by the Best American and European Writers. Published: New York: Maynard, Merrill, and Co., 1899. [http://www.econlib.org/LIBRARY/YPDBooks/Lalor/llCy409.html Online version] .] originally meant something quite different and far-removed from bicycle infrastructure:

But, even when it was repealed in 1809, the belief that Great Britain would "Copenhagenize" any American navy which might be formed was sufficient to deter the democratic leaders from anything bolder than non-intercourse laws, until the idea of invading Canada took root and blossomed into a declaration of war.

This sense of the term refers to the practice of the British Navy to confiscate all the ships of a defeated adversary, as they did with the Danish Navy following the 1807 Battle of Copenhagen.

External links

* [http://copenhagenize.com Copenhagenize.com]

Notes