EUROPA NOSTRA APPEALS AGAINST HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN COPENHAGEN'S HISTORIC CENTRE

The Hague, 17 January 2005: Europa Nostra – the pan-European federation for cultural heritage – has appealed for the protection of Christianshavn, one of the most historically important areas of Denmark’s capital, which is currently threatened by the construction of six high-rise buildings in Kroeyers Plads.

In letters addressed to Prime Minister Rasmussen, Culture Minister Mikkelsen, Copenhagen’s Mayor Engberg and Mr Pind, President of Bygge-og Teknikforvaltningen by its Executive President, Otto von der Gablentz, Europa Nostra expressed its grave concern over Copenhagen’s City Council’s intention to grant a construction permit for these high rise buildings which would be as high as 55 metres. This is in serious breach of a municipal regulation – in existence for over fifty years – which limits the height of new buildings in the city centre to 20.5 metres.

Europa Nostra fully supports the protests involving Europa Nostra Denmark, Foreningen til Hovedstadens Forskoennelse – Europa Nostra’s Danish member organisation – and other Danish NGOs. If constructed on this location, these buildings will not only disfigure the world renowned historic centre of Copenhagen, but also set a dangerous precedent for possible future high-rise constructions in this part of the city.

“Although Europa Nostra fully supports contemporary architectural creations and acknowledges that modern architecture can contribute significantly to the beauty and quality of the urban environment and its liveability, it is convinced that certain historically and aesthetically valuable heritage areas such as Christianshavn should enjoy the highest level of protection,” said Otto von der Gablentz. “It is the human scale of Copenhagen’s inner city and its unspoilt character that draw the vast numbers of tourists to your city annually. Therefore, we believe that a disfigured Christianshavn will not only lose its intrinsic historic value, but also negatively affect Copenhagen’s tourist, and hence economic, potential”, he continued.

Europa Nostra therefore urges all responsible bodies to find an alternative location for the construction development which would provide an appropriate setting for a contemporary architectural project, while at the same time ensuring the preservation of Christianshavn heritage area.

For further information please contact:

Mark Snethlage, Campaigns Officer, imo@europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 51
Charlotte O’Connor, Communications Officer, co@europanostra.org, +31 70 302 40 55

Click here for the Press Release in Danish