Do not expect a €294 million tennis court by Dominique Perrault or a station by Santiago Calatrava in Denmark. Why spend money on pricey architects’ fees when you can actually improve the places people call home?
Normal people have been the focus of the Danish political system for most of the 20th century, providing first-class city planning to improve the living conditions of the lower and middle classes.
This country has succeeded in reducing the gap between the rich and the poor and has achieved one of the best standards of living in the world. Millionaires are few as compared to Mediterranean countries and the big spenders keep lifestyle rather low key.
Planning and design are as quintessentially Danish as biscuits. Strong regulations and first-class city planning have given us a vast array of remarkable neighborhoods where normal people actually live. It is no wonder why city centers are deserted in the evening.
Take a look at these aerial views from the Krak search engine and find inspiration for more economically sustainable and people friendly cities.
