A Bold New Climate Park Unfolds in Copenhagen
8 July 2026
Design: SLA
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Photo credit: SLA
Images courtesy of SLA – Photography by Marie Damsgaard and Mikkel Eye
In a transformative leap for urban design, the acclaimed Danish firm SLA has revitalized a once-neglected outdoor space at Grønningen-Bispeparken, situated within a 1950s social housing estate. This ambitious project represents Copenhagen’s most daring climate initiative to date, merging ecological innovation with community engagement.
Nestled in the Nordvest neighborhood, known for its rich social and cultural diversity, this climate park aims to replace the previously barren and unsafe green spaces with vibrant, functional areas. The goal is clear: protect the community from floods and thunderstorms, while enriching the social and cultural fabric of the area.
The new design pays homage to the original vision of the late landscape architect C.Th. Sørensen, who created the estate’s initial green spaces. Over time, those once-thriving areas had fallen into disrepair, lacking safe zones for children and residents alike. The old grass lawns now posed challenges, unable to absorb rainfall, leading to waterlogged ‘motorways’ during downpours and offering limited biodiversity.
Nature Meets Design
In response to these pressing issues, SLA’s vision for Grønningen-Bispeparken introduces bold nature-based strategies to enhance climate resilience. A remarkable feature of this park is its 18 bioswales, designed to harness and manage over 3,000 cubic meters of rainwater, effectively converting stormwater into a resource rather than a liability.
The design incorporates five distinct nature typologies, each chosen for its ecological and social benefits. These include:
- Bio Oases: Wetlands prioritizing local flora and fauna.
- Between the Trunks: Cozy biotopes for quiet play and green refuge.
- Common Lawns: Expansive spaces for sports, markets, and community gatherings.
- Pocket Squares: Urban nooks fostering informal interactions.
- The Bunker Hills: Repurposed Cold War bunkers now serving as dynamic social hubs.
By creatively addressing climate challenges, these bioswales also act as ‘social swales,’ forming inviting, nature-rich meeting spaces that foster a sense of community.
A Path to Connection
A winding pathway of gravel and yellow tiles—reminiscent of the iconic Grundtvig’s Church nearby—interlaces the park’s various zones, encouraging residents to explore this new urban oasis. This path adapts naturally to the landscape, with sections that dissolve into the wild flora, marked only by gentle lighting bollards and carefully trimmed grass.
An All-Year-Round Sanctuary
Designed as a welcoming asset for the local community, Grønningen-Bispeparken features 149 new trees, representing 23 native species, along with over four million specially crafted seeds. This varied planting nurtures local biodiversity while preserving the park’s historic buckthorn trees.
The park’s ongoing maintenance seeks a harmonious balance between the untamed and the cultivated, fostering ideal conditions for both people and wildlife.
Art and Community Engagement
Accompanying the park’s design is an innovative art initiative by artist Kerstin Bergendal, commissioned by the National Arts Council of Denmark. Her project, “Concerning A Meadow,” invites community collaboration to weave art into the park’s fabric, enriching the landscape with wooden art structures crafted in partnership with the small studio Efterland. These installations offer diverse avenues for play and community interaction, blending seamlessly into the park’s natural elements.
Preserved Views and Sustainable Materials
Key vistas towards Grundtvig’s Church, a centerpiece of the original design, have been delicately preserved and enhanced, allowing the church to shine in new settings. Old asphalt paths have been replaced with warmer, inviting materials, designed to harmonize with the surroundings, including yellow tiles that echo local architecture.
In a thoughtful approach to sustainability, many materials used in the park are recycled or upcycled from the City’s surplus, minimizing its environmental impact.
Celebrating Rain as a Resource
Grønningen-Bispeparken officially opened on August 31, 2024. Just days later, a significant storm swept through Copenhagen, causing widespread flooding elsewhere. Within the park, however, the rainfall only amplified its lush beauty, showcasing how nature can be harnessed to create safe, enjoyable environments.
In Grønningen-Bispeparken, rain is no longer an adversary to be feared, but rather a natural asset to be embraced and celebrated.
Project Details
- Architecture Firm: SLA
- Name: Grønningen-Bispeparken
- Location: Copenhagen
- Area: 20,000 sqm
- Client: The City of Copenhagen
- Contractor: Ebbe Dalsgaard A/S
Contact:
Kristoffer Holm Pedersen, Communications Director, SLA
Email: khp@sla | Phone: +45 6080 9394
About SLA
SLA is an internationally recognized design studio that has spent three decades crafting notable public spaces and urban landscapes around the globe. Their multidisciplinary team, including landscape architects, biologists, and urban planners, works collaboratively across offices in Copenhagen, Toronto, Oslo, and Aarhus. Currently, SLA is engaged in innovative projects in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Photos: SLA – Marie Damsgaard and Mikkel Eye
Photography: SLA Landscape Architecture
For more information, visit: SLA
