Today we visited three sites in the greater Copenhagen area: Orestad, Kokkedal, and St. Annie’s Platz. Orestad is a multi-acre greenfield development in Copenhagen, built from the start with stormwater management in mind. Kokkedal is a suburb of Copenhagen that received a stormwater retrofit to improve flooding conditions. St. Annie’s Platz is a truly urban retrofit designed to safely convey large storm events. The three sites presented us with three different case studies in urban water management. Below is a story about one of these places. These sites are all in the Case studies that Dani sent yesterday. The day was rich, so we may write more about these sites in future blog posts.

 

Day 2 - (March 29)  Cross-contamination

We spent our time at each of the sites we visited today with the designer. Each designer shared stories about how they had started their careers as specialists - civil engineers. Each described a process of growing tired of doing the same thing – building pipes, calculating, etc. Each of them was eventually ‘contaminated,’ (their word, not ours) either by working on interdisciplinary teams or through cross training in higher education. For all three, they described greater challenge and greater reward in integrated water planning and projects now that they had been contaminated by other disciplines.

On our tour of St. Annie’s Platz, the designer Michael told us about a 150-year old brick sewer that was uncovered during construction. He described this sewer as the most beautiful sewer that he had ever seen – he even showed us pictures. It was 150 years old but in excellent condition with a cunette for the everyday wastewater flows and a large arch of bricks above creating the space needed to carry combined flows. During construction, they took pains to carefully work around this relic of the past and not disturb it so that the sewer could keep moving sewage and stormwater through Copenhagen for another 150 years into the future. When they were finished constructing the project, the brick sewer was covered again, and I guarantee that it has sewage in it right now.

 

While Michael clearly loved this brick sewer, he actually loved his project more. This is because prior to this project, he had never been able to bring his children to one of his projects and show them what he had done. At St. Annie’s Platz, his children can see what he built and how it works, because it is up on the surface for everyone to experience. He can also show them that not only did the project prevent flooding, but it also made the street a nicer place to be. In fact, he told us that he often brings his kids with him when he is asked to give a tour of the project. When they come, he simply lets them loose on the playground while he walks people like me and Dani through the story of the site.

 

This isn’t just about taking pride in one’s work. I am sure that the designer of the brick sewer was proud of that design, and he or she probably deserved to be, based on Michael’s description. This is about taking pride in the benefits that your work provides for the community. Being contaminated through work on an integrated project team gave Michael the opportunity to make his city a better place to be.



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Smørrebrød, the Danish open face sandwich, is a standard bearer of Danish design principles. Whether happy accident or just the Danish way, this essential form mirrors key elements of Danish urban water design principles. Here’s what seems key in both art forms:

Functionality - It’s a sandwich. It’s a roof drain. The bread may be hand baked and the roof drain fitted with an elegant spout but essential performance is made simply and clearly.

Reveal - No need to cover what’s inside with an extra slice of bread, instead bring the inner workings (fresh mozzarella or water) to the surface so people can observe what’s going on.

Elegance - Since things are out in the open it’s important to put the best foot forward with a garnish of delicate micro greens or the creation of an urban gathering place.

Go Lean - No need to spend the extra on bread calories or pipe expense. A well thought out business case modifies what’s consumed to deliver maximum value at least cost.

Experiment - Stay curious. Try a variety of types and engineering approaches and then look for ways to improve and adapt the next time. It’s a flexible medium you can always try something new.