Copenhagen Backyards
The Community Backgreens model was conceived and developed following a study visit to Denmark by the Greig Robertson in 2002. During the 1990's, the Kommune of Copenhagen (local authority), ran a scheme which upgraded tenement backyards in the Norrebro, a run down neighbourhood in the centre of the city.
The project demolished the workshops, storehouses, etc within the backyards to landscape them as 'community backyards' open to all residents living around each square. Whilst all of the backyards are different, they share common features:-
- common ownership and management by a community backyard association;
- play facilities for children, (sandpits, climbing frames, ball courts);
- ‘outdoor rooms’ defined by planting or fences which provide semi-private spaces for BBQs, relaxation etc. They are often equipped with benches and tables;
- larger open greenspaces;
- paths around the whole site linking the tenements;
- a community recycling facility.
More information on
community backyards >All the images in the gallery below were taken in the community backyards of Copenhagen during a return visit in May 2008. We hope the images illustrate the potential of tenement backgreens to be beautiful and useful greenspaces.
© Images, Greig Robertson