Borgmester Godskesen’s Square

As part of the climate adaptation strategy for the neighborhood surrounding Borgmester Godskesen’s Square, rainwater will be disconnected from the existing combined sewer system and instead collected and directed to underground storage reservoirs during cloudburst events. Three hydraulic catchment areas will be established, each with capacities tailored to local needs. At Borgmester Godskesen’s Square, underground storage reservoirs are combined with a green landscape solution, designed as a recreational sunken lawn directly above the reservoirs.

The green landscape intervention is created by lowering the lawn in the eastern part of the square. This sunken lawn is inspired by a boulingrin - a feature of Baroque gardens that can also be found at Frederiksberg Palace Gardens. A boulingrin is characterized by its sloping grassy edges, which form enclosing banks. Here, these slopes are planted with groundcover species and perennials. The depression is made accessible through a gentle west-to-east slope, culminating in a stepped seating area. The steps are constructed in the neighbourhood’s characteristic yellow tiles and may also function as a stage, adding further recreational value to the space.

At the western part of Borgmester Godskesen’s Square, a new entrance and winding pathway are introduced, breaking with the garden’s strict symmetry. The sculpture Dansen (The Dance) is relocated, and the existing planting area is enhanced with additional trees and expanded with new shrubs and perennials.

Further north in the neighborhood lies the square at Carl Feilbergs Vej - a garden space enclosed by hedges and trees. Underground storage reservoirs will also be installed beneath this area as part of the climate adaptation strategy. Following construction, the garden space will be restored and enriched with additional trees, shrubs, perennials, and new opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

The semicircular square at the tunnel beneath the S-train line is being reimagined with a new traffic layout and spatial design. New cobblestone paving, upgraded lighting, and a new planting bed create a cohesive visual identity while improving safety and comfort at this busy junction.

The climate adaptation of Borgmester Godskesen’s Square and the surrounding streets is not merely a technical solution - it is a transformation that combines aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.