Using public outreach as an integral base for development - and preservation - of a unique, creative industrial neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood along the street Rentemestervej in the Northwest of Copenhagen is protected as one of Copenhagen's nine creative industrial zones.
Schulze+Grassov has created a development plan for this unique place that is beloved by locals. Our approach was to ensure a balance between new developments and preservation of the existing, unique characteristics - while including the area’s local users in the process.
The recommendations of the development plan show how the neighborhood’s unique qualities can be maintained, and how the neighborhood challenges can be lifted as the city develops. The plan is strengthening community, ownership, urban nature, and identity through the neighborhood’s primary urban environments and urban spaces.
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Development plan for the industrial quarter along Rentemestervej
City of Copenhagen
Nordvest
Copenhagen, Denmark
City neighbourhood
2021
Local businesses
Our development plan is maintaining the ratio between homes and businesses, thus that the proportion of business units in the neighbourhood does not decrease.
The neighbourhood’s current ”mixed zone” should stay a mix of various types of businesses and industries to avoid that this area becomes occupied by offices or residential units only. 
Maintain a high mix of functions
Keep the industrial courtyards free
Build on top and preserve
Entrances and transitions
New construction
The buildings along Rentemestervej are characterised by large variation with a mix of many different architectural styles, driven by function and development over time.
We are building on top of the existing diversity by maintaining the industrial character, buildings, and small units rather than clean up or align.
Maintain the small plots and the detached buildings
Sustainability/ Estimation of Life span
Maintain small units and building footprints
Maintain variation in the architectural design
Maintain the diverse facade sections along streets
Use of the building edge
Urban mobility
We are upgrading selected traffic nodes to support the needs of the individual areas, enhance safety, and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
We are improving the streetscapes right of way behaviour by leaving spare room for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles to negotiate and go slow. Intersectional changes will further improve bike safety and flow.
Selected streets are transformed into ”living streets” characterised by their layout and use of materials, which will invite users to stay and linger. In addition, some of the streets will have play zones and pavement designed to slow down vehicles.  
