Commitment 04Read more
Renewed Governance
Promote dialogue between the City and the Port within a renewed governance framework.
Adopting a land management policy that strikes a balance between urban uses and the active port, especially on the waterfront.
How to find solutions to the housing crisis by repurposing port materials for affordable housing?
To address housing shortages, innovative solutions can repurpose port materials for affordable housing. By utilising shipping containers as building blocks for various purposes, such as student campuses like the one implemented in Copenhagen, temporary housing can be created on open land within ports that are protected from permanent construction. These modular villages offer flexible and sustainable living spaces, designed with transportability in mind for potential relocation in the future. This approach not only addresses immediate housing needs but also demonstrates the potential of repurposing port materials to provide affordable housing solutions, which can be replicated in other cities facing similar challenges.
This good practice also includes objective 6.3 (Encouraging the creation of Port Centres) of the AIVP’s 2030 Agenda.
Copenhagen, a beautiful city that is in some ways the victim of its success, is facing a shortage of available residential space, particularly for students. The only remaining land available is close to the port. However, owing to its proximity to the port, Danish legislation prevents its use for permanent constructions. The solution adopted is very similar to that employed in Amsterdam for the same regulatory zoning reasons, and entails using 40-foot containers as the building blocks of a student campus, designed by CPH Containers and architect Søren Nielsen (Vandkunsten Architects). This temporary complex addresses the shortage by utilising open land within ports that is currently protected from permanent construction. By designing with transportability in mind and incorporating features such as wood interiors, efficient insulation systems, and adaptable living spaces, CPH Containers offers a unique approach to resolving Copenhagen's housing challenges. The modular student village is envisioned to be disassembled and relocated to new areas once the original land becomes available for traditional development. This innovative project showcases the potential of shipping container architecture to provide flexible and sustainable housing solutions.
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