Soender Boulevard
During the period from 2004 to 2006, Soender Boulevard in the district of Vesterbro was transformed from an arterial thoroughfare to a green and attractive urban space. The urban park is designed by SLA Architects and covers 1.3 km from Enghavevej to Halmtorvet. The park contains many interpretations of recreational areas, sports areas and green garden spaces.
Soender Boulevard is used by up to 2,200 Copenhageners every day. The facilities of the urban park stimulate public health and the local business in the Vesterbro district. The market appreciates the value of the good urban space: Total property prices in the area have increased by DKK 351 million, of which the City of Copenhagen receives an extra DKK 12 million a year in tax revenues. This way, the construction costs will be recovered in less than two years.
Economics
A report prepared by Grontmij for the City of Copenhagen in 2013 shows that the transformation of Soender Boulevard from an arterial thoroughfare to a green urban space has generated significant economic value for homeowners and the City of Copenhagen.
Overall, property prices in the area have increased by DKK 351 million for properties located within a distance of 100 metres from Soender Boulevard, and every year, the City of Copenhagen receives an extra DKK 12 million in tax revenues.
Moreover, with construction costs of DKK 18 million, the urban space has an estimated park value of DKK 125. Paradoxically, this attractive urban space might thereby come to trigger a process of gentrification in this particular area.
Health, Quality of Life & Accessibily
The report prepared by Grontmij also shows that every year, 36,000 Copenhageners achieve health benefits from using the outdoor facilities at Soender Boulevard. Moreover, an average of 2,200 Copenhageners use the urban space every day, including the established recreational and sports facilities.
“It has created a different kind of life; you say hello to each other and when you are having a barbecue, you talk to the people on the blanket next to you.” Morten Olsen, citizen, residing in a home facing The South Boulevard, Danish Newspaper Politiken 2014.
About the Case
Soender Boulevard is designed by SLA Architects in close collaboration with local citizens as focus was on creating a flexible environment that can be adapted to the changing needs of the area. The urban park covers 1.3 km from Enghavevej to Halmtorvet and contains several interpretations of recreational areas, sports areas and green garden spaces. The park has tied the district of Vesterbro together with the Central Station, the city centre and Carlsberg Byen.
The area is used by up to 2,200 visitors a day and has improved the quality of life and health of the residents in the neighbourhood. In addition to creating value for the users, the park has also created value for the City of Copenhagen and homeowners through increased property prices and tax revenue.